FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Blue Bird will continue its tradition of offering training for dealers and customers next year.

The school bus OEM provides multiple avenues for its customers to receive detailed technical training.

“Throughout the years, I have attended many Blue Bird training courses and have always found the content to be insightful and valuable,” said David Mertz, service manager for Cardinal Bus Sales and Service in Lima, Ohio. “The instructors are very informative and provide the greatest depth of expertise on the Blue Bird product line. I highly recommend Blue Bird’s training workshops.”

Factory training workshops will be offered five times in 2013 in Fort Valley, with class sizes limited to ensure a focused and content-rich training program. Blue Bird provides transportation between the host hotel and its Fort Valley plant, and lunch each day.

Workshop topics include recent product changes, such as the dual-zone multiplex system and 2013 emissions standards compliance. Attendees also gain product assembly familiarity with a factory tour.

Blue Bird provides complimentary current service manuals ($75 value) and other subject-related materials. Those interested in participating should contact their local Blue Bird dealer for more information and to make factory training workshop reservations. The schedule for 2013 is as follows:

• Blue Bird Vision — May 13-16
• All American — July 8-11
• Blue Bird Vision — July 22-25
• All American — Oct. 7-10
• Blue Bird Vision — Oct. 28-31

“Blue Bird strives to provide training opportunities that keep our customers and dealers current on the latest technical updates, while also presenting an in-depth review of the complete product line,” said Jonathan Randall, general manager of Blue Bird Service Parts. “Blue Bird’s factory training workshops are one piece of Blue Bird’s comprehensive and growing training program, which also includes dealer workshops, webcasts and technical publications.”

Dealer technical training, held at dealer facilities across North America, is a way to receive Blue Bird technical bus information without traveling far from home. Unique training topics are customized to the customer and dealership’s region. Those interested should contact their local Blue Bird dealer to find out more on dealer technical training opportunities in their area.

Technical training webcasts, which company officials said are one of the most popular forms of technical training, will be offered frequently throughout 2013. The webcasts provide easily accessible training via a computer and a phone. To participate, contact an authorized Blue Bird dealer for webcast dates and times.