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MCI Academy, an award-winning training program offered by motorcoach builder MCI (a subsidiary of NFI Group), is restarting its in-person classes at its National Training Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Classes began earlier this month.
The MCI Academy provides quality training for all levels of technicians in the motorcoach industry using a combination of online courses, classroom sessions, written tests, and practical skills demonstration. MCI Academy’s comprehensive educational program is geared to equip motorcoach professionals with the knowledge and skills to maintain, diagnose, and repair systems on MCI motorcoaches to maximize on-road time, passenger safety, and operator profitability.
The Academy is accredited through Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). With its ASE recertification completed in September 2022, its accreditation has been extended to 2027. MCI Academy students can earn all three Technician Certificates and complete two Specialist Diploma programs to become MCI Master Technicians.
In-person class schedule:
- Technician 3: October 3-7, 2022
- HVAC 101: October 11-14, 2022
- Electrical 101: October 24-28, 2022
- Technician 3: October 31-November 4, 2022
- HVAC 201: November 7-11, 2022
- HVAC 101: November 15-18, 2022
- Electrical 101: December 5-9, 2022
- Technician 3: December 12-16, 2022
Workforce development is a priority for MCI and its customers. Developing skilled coach technicians is critical for our operators and important to recruiting and retaining talent, and MCI Academy is meeting that critical industry need,” said Brent Maitland, VP, Private Sector Sales and Marketing. “We are not only proud to welcome students back to the classroom, but also very excited to have our program be accredited by Automotive Service Education for another five years to continue providing the industry’s premier training program.”
Visit mciacademy.com for more information about the programs as well as the 2023 schedule of classes, which will be published soon.
[10.04.22]
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- Category: Industry News
The Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) is currently accepting nominations for its open board seats for 2023, which are two-year terms. The available regions are:
- San Diego County–One Open Seat
- Orange County–One Open Seat
- Los Angeles County–Two Open Seats
- Northern California–Two Open Seats
- At Large (can run from anywhere in Calif.)–One Open Seat
All nominations must be received by Friday, October 28, 2022. The GCLA encourages interested parties to contact leadership to learn more about their experience serving on the board and learn if they are a good fit for the position. The GCLA Board can be found at glca.org/leadership. Nomination information can be found by clicking here.
Additional deadlines:
October 28: Applications due
November 4: Slates and ballots are sent to membership
December 2: Ballots are due by 5:00 p.m.
December 5: Ballots are counted and tallies are sent to the board to be certified
Visit gcla.org for more information.
[10.04.22]
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- Category: Industry News
On September 22, the Limousine, Bus, Taxi Operators of Upstate New York (LBTOUNY) returned to in-person events for their annual baseball outing/membership meeting at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, N.Y. Thirty members and guests were in attendance to watch the Buffalo Bison take on the Rochester Redwings and discuss recent legislation and other industry news. The meeting was sponsored by Towne Livery Vehicles.
LBTOUNY returned to in-person events for their annual member meeting/baseball outing
“Before the pandemic, this was an event that we held every year,” says LBTOUNY Legislative Chairman David Bastian of Towne Livery. “This was our first in-person meeting in almost three years. So, it was nice to get everyone together to have a quick meeting and enjoy the game. It gave people the chance to reconnect with folks they haven’t seen in a while, too. It turned out fantastic.”
Chief among the matters discussed at the event was the dysfunctional insurance market that has emerged after the state instituted a $1.5-million Supplemental Uninsured Motorist (SUM) coverage on all limousines in the wake of the Schoharie tragedy.
Jimmy Barwell of Giorgio’s Limousine Service won a pass to the 2022 CD/NLA Show
“That SUM coverage has caused an exodus of insurance companies in New York State,” says Bastian. The insurance companies that have stayed are raising their insurance premiums due to higher risk and exposure of this ‘indefensible’ coverage. Because of that, there’s been a huge increase in illegal operators. Uber drivers are going on their own, starting up small companies without commercial for-hire coverage, and there’s even legitimate companies that are gambling with having no insurance due to high premium costs and lack of available options.”
Appearing at the meeting via Zoom was Long Island Limousine Association (LILA) President Tom Gouldsbury of Azure Limousine.
LBTOUNY President Kevin Barwell of Giorgio’s Limousine Service addresses the members
“We’ve been working together; we invite them to our meetings, they invite us. That way we can communicate on issues plaguing the state. We’re keeping the industry abreast. The big thing to come out of the pandemic is that the industry is getting smaller. It’s important for LBTOUNY and LILA to be locked in with one another and communicate on a regular basis,” says Bastian.
Also in attendance was a representative from the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), who was available to field questions from the LBTOUNY members about chauffeured ground transportation vehicle inspection. His presence provided the association with the opportunity to improve communication and relations with the DOT.
Chauffeur Driven donated a pass to the upcoming CD/NLA Show at the Gaylord National on November 13-16. The pass was raffled among attendees, and was ultimately won by Jimmy Barwell of Giorgio’s Limousine Service.
Visit LBTOUNY’s Facebook page for more information.
[10.04.22]