Three months ago Kody had never laid his hands on a truck. He was working in manufacturing when he heard about our program in partnership with Penske Truck Leasing.

On Thursday, barely seven weeks after hitting the shop floor, with more than 20 people watching, including his manager and his former ADTC instructors Kody demonstrated the entire Penske hands-free PM inspection process for a new group of Penske Associates as they complete their training at ADTC.

It was one of the most gratifying things that I've ever witnessed. It's a treat for us to get to watch one of our former students work. We'll see pictures, or hear stories, but to actually see one of our grads move around the truck with such confidence was special for sure.

I was talking to Kody in the break room about what he did in high school and where he previously worked. He worked for a huge, very well known global manufacturer. One of the best in the world. As close to employment for life as you can get. But he was bored and unchallenged.

He said "that truck that we just were working on out there...it has an oil leak. I just can't wait to get my hands on it to find out where the leak is coming from." We had a couple of laughs, ended the conversation and I stepped out into the hall.

A minute or two later, Kody came out of the break room and walked over to me. He pulled me aside and leaned into me a bit. He goes "you know, I don't mean to be cheesy or anything, but I'm seriously pumped to come to work every day."

This IS the answer. Find motivated people. Give them solid, specific fundamental mechanical training. Once in the shop, have a set, continuous training program with benchmarks. Set them up for success.

Check, check, check and check.

The sky is the limit!