Opportunity sourced from the Official SkillBridge website. Not endorsed by the Department of Defense.
Waukesha Pearce Industries (WPI) Parts Department SkillBridge Internship ProgramProgram Length: 12 Weeks (480 Hours Total) Schedule: Monday–Friday, up to 40 hours per week (flexible to accommodate training needs) Location: WPI Dealership Facility Target Participants: Transitioning service members with interest in logistics, supply chain, warehouse operations, or customer service roles in heavy equipment distribution.Program Overview This 12-week SkillBridge internship bridges military experience (discipline, teamwork, logistics, and attention to detail) to civilian roles in a Komatsu dealership Parts Department. Participants gain hands-on training in warehouse operations, parts identification, inventory management, dealership systems, customer service, and workflow integration. The program emphasizes safety, accuracy, and professional communication while preparing participants for potential full-time employment at WPI.
Key features include:• Assigned mentor for weekly check-ins and guidance• Progressive structure: Weeks 1–4 (Foundations & Safety), Weeks 5–8 (Technical Skills & Application), Weeks 9–12 (Advanced Application & Career Readiness)• Forklift operator certification (OSHA-compliant) upon completion of Week 2• Regular performance feedback and midpoint/final evaluations• Focus on translating military skills to dealership successWeek-by-Week Training BreakdownWeek 1 – Onboarding & Safety Foundations (40 hrs) Learning Objectives: Complete administrative setup, understand dealership culture/policies, master safety protocols, and orient to facility layout.• HR/IT onboarding & setup (8 hrs)• Dealership orientation, policies, & culture (8 hrs)• PPE, hazard communication, lockout/tagout, & general safety training (16 hrs)• Warehouse walkthrough, layout, & emergency procedures familiarization (8 hrs) Milestone: Safety quiz & facility orientation checklist completion.Week 2 – Forklift & Basic Warehouse Operations (40 hrs) Learning Objectives: Achieve forklift certification, learn core warehouse processes, and apply safe material handling techniques.• Forklift classroom theory & safety (8 hrs)• Hands-on forklift operation, evaluation, & certification (16 hrs)• Receiving, inspection, stocking, & put-away procedures (8 hrs)• Picking, staging, packing, & basic material handling (8 hrs) Milestone: OSHA-compliant forklift operator certification.Week 3 – Inventory Control & Shipping Basics (40 hrs) Learning Objectives: Master inventory accuracy techniques and shipping/receiving documentation while reinforcing safety.• Cycle counting, inventory accuracy, & discrepancy resolution (16 hrs)• Shipping/receiving processes & documentation (8 hrs)• Freight handling, packaging standards, & carrier coordination (8 hrs)• Warehouse safety refresher & hazard identification (8 hrs) Milestone: Complete sample cycle count & documentation exercise.Week 4 – Komatsu Equipment & Parts Fundamentals (40 hrs) Learning Objectives: Understand Komatsu product lines, common parts, and basic identification methods.• Overview of Komatsu equipment families & applications (8 hrs)• Identification of common wear parts, consumables, & components (16 hrs)• Serial number decoding, model identification, & basic parts lookup (8 hrs)• Parts department workflow & interdepartmental roles overview (8 hrs) Milestone: Identify 20+ common parts via visual/spec review.Week 5 – Parts Manuals & Dealer Management Systems (40 hrs) Learning Objectives: Navigate Komatsu parts resources and dealership software proficiently.• Komatsu parts manuals (print/digital) navigation & usage (16 hrs)• Dealer parts/inventory software training & transactions (16 hrs)• Support for internal service work orders & basic inquiries (8 hrs) Milestone: Complete parts lookup & transaction exercises in system.Week 6 – Parts Identification & Assessment (40 hrs) Learning Objectives: Apply manuals/systems knowledge to real scenarios and demonstrate proficiency.• Guided parts lookup & identification exercises (16 hrs)• Inventory transactions, adjustments, & error correction (8 hrs)• Formal assessment: manuals, systems, & identification accuracy (8 hrs)• Shadowing warehouse lead & mentor debrief (8 hrs) Milestone: Pass parts identification assessment (80%+ accuracy).Week 7 – Parts Counter Shadowing & Customer Interaction (40 hrs) Learning Objectives: Observe and participate in customer-facing roles with supervision.• Shadowing experienced parts counter staff (24 hrs)• Phone, walk-in, & email customer support basics (8 hrs)• Quoting, order processing, & verification (8 hrs) Milestone: Assist in 10+ customer interactions under supervision.Week 8 – Customer Service & Order Fulfillment (40 hrs) Learning Objectives: Develop professional communication and handle complex orders/emergencies.• Professional communication, active listening, & conflict resolution (8 hrs)• Backorders, supersessions, & substitution processes (8 hrs)• Emergency/breakdown support & expediting (16 hrs)• Order accuracy review & quality checks (8 hrs) Milestone: Process sample emergency orders with mentor review.Week 9 – Advanced Inventory & Components (40 hrs) Learning Objectives: Manage complex inventory scenarios and understand warranty/cores.• Large component handling, rigging, & storage (16 hrs)• Core returns, warranty parts, & claims processes (8 hrs)• Obsolete, surplus, & slow-moving inventory awareness (8 hrs)• Midpoint performance review & mentor feedback session (8 hrs) Milestone: Midpoint evaluation & individualized improvement plan.Week 10 – Supervised Independent Operations (40 hrs) Learning Objectives: Perform warehouse and counter tasks with minimal supervision.• Independent picking, stocking, & inventory maintenance (24 hrs)• Counter support & customer quoting with mentor oversight (8 hrs)• System transactions review & accuracy auditing (8 hrs) Milestone: Demonstrate 90%+ independent task accuracy.Week 11 – Dealership Integration & Career Preparation (40 hrs) Learning Objectives: Integrate across departments and prepare for civilian employment.• Interdepartmental coordination (service, sales, field techs) (16 hrs)• Career paths, performance metrics, & advancement at WPI (8 hrs)• Resume building, interview preparation, & professional branding (8 hrs)• Independent task execution & real-world application (8 hrs) Milestone: Mock interview & career development plan.Week 12 – Final Evaluation & Transition (40 hrs) Learning Objectives: Demonstrate full competency and prepare for employment transition.• Comprehensive final skills assessment & practical evaluation (16 hrs)• Safety & forklift proficiency re-certification review (8 hrs)• Exit interview, program feedback, & lessons learned (8 hrs)• Employment consideration discussion & next steps (8 hrs) Milestone: Program completion certificate & potential job offer discussion.Program Outcomes Upon successful completion, participants will:• Hold forklift operator certification and demonstrate safe warehouse practices.• Proficiently identify Komatsu parts, navigate manuals/systems, and process orders accurately.• Provide professional customer support and handle emergency/breakdown scenarios.• Execute independent warehouse/counter tasks with high accuracy.• Be prepared for full-time roles in parts management or related logistics positions. Successful participants will be strongly considered for employment opportunities at WPI, based on performance and business needs.
US Air Force, US Army, US Coast Guard, US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Space Force
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