National Express School Technicians Advance Skills Through Thomas Built Training for EV and Standard School Buses

Anna Lam | 18 September, 2024 | NELLC

Ann Arbor, MI, Greensboro, NC, and Irving, TX – National Express School team members have once again demonstrated their dedication to cultivating and perfecting their craft through their latest participation in Thomas Bus Institute’s three-day advanced training sessions for both electric and standard school buses.

Team members in Ann Arbor, MI, participated in a three-day advanced level (HV3) electric school bus training session taught by Thomas Built. The advanced training session is the final and most advanced level of electric training provided by Thomas Built and focuses specifically on high-voltage processes and tests such as insulation integrity and high voltage ground resistance and de-energizing the battery electric vehicle (BEV).

Prior to advancing to the final  level of training, team members are required to complete two other training sessions – level one (HV1), which focused on familiarizing technicians with the features of electric vehicles and illustrating the differences between maintaining and owning an electric vehicle (EV) fleet vs. a standard school bus fleet, and level two (HV2), which trained technicians on low and high-voltage systems with an extra emphasis on safety processes.

Thomas Built Training Participants
Pictured: James Allison (trainer), and National Express Ann Arbor team members Phil Siebenrock, Tim Harding, John Maxwell, Lashawn O’Banner and Dave Horvath

In addition to EV school bus training, advanced training sessions for standard school buses took place in two locations – Greensboro, NC and Irving, TX. At the training sessions, participants received hands-on training focused on advanced diagnostics on different engine platforms, advanced electronics, and other bus components.

Eleven technicians attended the training sessions that covered the following topics:

  • Advanced Electrical Skills
  • Advanced Multiplex Systems
  • Air Conditioning
  • Coolant Class
  • Detroit and Cummins Engine and Aftertreatment
  • Electrical Charging systems
  • Electronic Resources
  • Introducing Electric Thomas Bus Familiarization
  • Seating Systems
  • Wheelchair Lifts
  • Type C Conventional reviews the multiplex electrical system, troubleshooting information, and software available.

“We understand the importance of continuously providing our teams with training opportunities to help them flourish in their craft and expertise,” said Wayne Skinner, Senior Vice President of Maintenance, National Express. “The trainings also help ensure that our technicians possess the necessary and most up-to-date skills to maintain our fleet at the highest standards while also increasing engagement and productivity. We will continue developing our relationships with our original equipment manufacturer and electric vehicle partners so that we can ensure our technicians are always performing at their best and able to reach and further advance their potential, and ultimately, their careers.”