Volvo Trucks recently kicked off the 2012-2013 VISTA program in the U.S. and Canada. Vista is the world's largest competition for aftermarket personnel.

Volvo technicians throughout North America will test their technical knowledge and hands-on prowess as they compete for a spot at the Vista World Championship.

As part of its ongoing focus on technician training, Volvo Trucks also announced a partnership with WyoTech to provide advanced technician training programs.

"Expert Volvo technicians and skilled aftermarket personnel are vitally important to the success of our customers and our dealer operations," said Magnus Koeck, Volvo Trucks vice president, marketing and brand management. "Rapidly advancing onboard technologies and the increasing need for an integrated vehicle design continue to place a great emphasis on technicians with intimate knowledge of all Volvo systems."

More than 200 three-to-four-person teams of Volvo aftermarket personnel - technicians, service, parts and warranty - from Volvo dealer locations across North America are competing for the opportunity to represent North America in the VISTA World Championship.

Globally, more than 4,440 teams have enrolled in the latest installment of the bienniel competition, but just 30 will earn a place in the World Championship round, to be conducted in June 2013 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The current competition marks the largest in the event's 55-year history.

Participation in the event requires a significant dedication of time and effort as competitors work through three rounds of online technical questions. Five teams will travel in March to Greensboro, N.C., for the final round.

All the answers for the written questions are contained in Volvo service and parts literature, and the finalists will be tested on their knowledge of service bulletins and ability to look up parts and service information within the Volvo system. There is also a strong hands-on element to the competition, which requires contestants to troubleshoot predetermined faults placed on Volvo trucks and engines.

VISTA began as a national event in Scandinavia in 1957, expanding to a global event in 1977. Volvo has seen a strong correlation between dealers with teams in the final round and high customer satisfaction indexes. This has been linked to dealer leadership and willingness to invest in personnel and competence development.

Volvo Trucks' investment in technicians also extends to the classroom. The company is partnering with WyoTech to provide technician training programs tailored specifically to the chassis, powertrain, emissions, electronic and electrical systems of Volvo trucks.

The program will be available in the spring of 2013 to students enrolled at the WyoTech-Blairsville, Pa., campus.