UTE’s ‘World Class’ training centre receives top award

United Tractor & Equipment (Pvt) Ltd.’s training centre has received many accolades from a host of high profile visitors recently including key figures in the business world, foreign dignitaries, professionals, customers from the private and public sectors, Caterpillar representatives, personnel from other dealerships and even competitors. In recognition of this renowned Training Centre and world class facility, UTE received the prestigious Service Training Excellence Accreditation Award (STEAA) from Caterpillar, recently. During a recent visit and tour of the UTE’s Training Centre, Thomas Teo, Regional Manager – Caterpillar complimented the facility’s infrastructure noting, “it’s an excellent facility that is world class”.

Adding further accolades was E.C. Manohar, District Manager – Caterpillar (Bangalore) who also stated it was, “a well-maintained training facility.” The Kenyan National Construction Association, a trade delegation was also forthright of its praise for the centre during a recent visit noting the training facility and workshop was one of the best they have seen to-date. Understanding the needs of industry and the dearth of qualified technicians in the construction sector, UTE built the facility in 2013, with a Rs.

200 million investment. Today, the UTE training centre has been dedicated in providing excellence in high quality Caterpillar technical training programs which is also accredited by Tertiary & Vocational Education Commission of Sri Lanka as the only institute which offers NVQ Level 4 qualification in Construction Machinery Technical Training. The award was presented to Nihal Jayamaha, UTE Training Manager by Kevin Strydom, former District Manager – Caterpillar. Gracing the occasion was Thomas Teo, Regional Manager – Caterpillar and E.C Manohar, District Manager – Caterpillar (Bangalore).

The prestigious award was made after a series of stringent assessments including a Cat dealership organization’s ability to effectively deliver high-value training consistent with Caterpillar global standards. Moreover, the accreditation in awarding excellence in service training was through a diligent process of assessments, systems and infrastructure improvements, and on-site audits by the Caterpillar team.

Additionally, as part of the program Dealer Instructors too needed to achieve individual accreditation of their teaching skills through the Caterpillar Instructor Accreditation Program (CIAP). The complete process took over a year to complete, from the initial activity until accreditation was received. A detailed, final audit of the dealer training organization validated the Dealer Service Training Operations confirming it met the highest standards for Learning Materials, Staff, Operations and Administration. UTE is the sole authorized dealer for Caterpillar Power Generators and Lift Trucks in Sri Lanka in addition to the Caterpillar Construction and Earthmoving products.