FREWSBURG - Patricia Mitchell of JIT Toyota-Lift in Frewsburg is the first woman in the United States to achieve the Toyota Material Handling USA 3rd Gear status.
Recognizing the valuable role that customer service support representatives play in customer satisfaction and the overall growth of a Toyota forklift dealership, Toyota created a program that provides them with ongoing training and education. Training achievements are marked by first, second and third gear statuses.
CSSRs with First Gear Certification complete 15 online training modules, 20 hours of classroom instruction and attend quarterly webinars on various dealership topics and must complete 1 year of employment in the dealership
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Patty Mitchell
Second Gear Certification requires completion of 12 additional e-learning modules and 28 hours of classroom instruction and quarterly webinars. Three years of service are also required.
Third Gear requires six additional e-learning modules, 24 more hours of classroom training and five years of employment at a Toyota Forklift Dealership.
Toyota Material Handling recently announced its inaugural Third Gear Certification Award winners. Mrs. Mitchell is one of four individuals nationwide to achieve the designation and is the only woman to do so.
In all, she has invested more than 200 hours with Toyota studying its products and services, perfecting her sales techniques and investing in creating the best possible customer service experience she can provide.
"It is exciting to be one of the first Toyota dealerships in the country to have someone on staff with this level of expertise" said Joyce Schwob, president of JIT Toyota-Lift. "Patty's achievement fits perfectly with our mission to become experts at what we do."
JIT Toyota-Lift is a Toyota Industrial Equipment dealer and supplies forklifts, parts, rentals, repair service and related material handling equipment to local industries in Western New York. The family owned and operated company is in its 29th year of operation. It operates locations at 52 S. Pearl St., Frewsburg, and 999 Harlem Road, West Seneca. The firm employs 35 full-time and three part-time staff and is certified as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise.