by Richard Cosgrove | Wed 18 Feb 2026
Finning engineer sets his sights on success in world final of CaterpillarŪ technician challenge
Field service engineer Tom March is flying the flag for Finning UK & Ireland after securing one of only 10 places in the final of the Caterpillar® Global Dealer Technician Challenge (GDTC) being held in the U.S.
Designed to showcase the skills of frontline engineers working on Cat® machines worldwide, the competition puts technical ability, resilience, customer focus and continuous learning to the test. After making it through the two regional qualifiers and the semi-final of the competition, Tom, a field service engineer with Finning UK & Ireland based in Winsford, Cheshire, believes his grit and determination has set him apart from his competitors, earning him a place in the ultimate round of the contest.
Tom, who joined Finning just over five years ago, said: “I’m extremely stubborn and when I come across a problem I won’t walk away, I’ll find a way. The competition has never been about a race to fix a machine. As well as being technically intensive, it’s been about demonstrating the whole package of skills that add the Caterpillar value for our customers.
“There is always potential for issues out on site and this competition has focused on how you might deal with ‘real world’ situations. I’ve learned a huge amount through taking part, whether it be getting up to speed with the latest technology and digital advancements, or just talking to other competitors doing the same job as me but out in South America or in Africa.
“For me, I try to communicate what we can do to solve an issue, not what we can’t. I always want to find a solution for the customer as well as for my own learning and curiosity, so we all benefit.”
Technicians from more than 40 different countries have taken part in the inaugural competition launched in 2024. For the final stage, Tom will fly out the U.S. to take part in the final round of skill station assessments at Caterpillar’s Edwards Demonstration and Learning Centre in Peoria, Illinois before attending the CONEXPO trade event in Las Vegas where the winner of the GDTC will be announced.
Christina Pritchett, Learning and Development Lead for Engineering and Technical at Finning UK & Ireland, said: “We are super proud of Tom and his achievements. Cat dealers globally are offering growing opportunities for technicians, and this competition is designed to inspire others in joining us in this career field, as well as celebrate the work of our technicians.”
By the end of 2026, it is estimated that Cat dealers may need to hire more than 44,000 technicians. The GDTC is part of a broader global initiative that highlights the vital role dealer technicians play in supporting customers and keeping machines working at their best.
Tom added: “Whatever happens in the final, I know from this experience that my work is a real passion for me. I’d love to progress to a role as an assessor or mentor and keep building those skills as well as show other technicians what can be achieved if you put the work in.”
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