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WISCONSIN
RAPIDS – During the Mid-State Technical College (MSTC) Board
of Directors meeting held Monday evening, the board learned that
the Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician program is experiencing
an increase in demand from students and employers. According to
Scott Engel, Instructor, and Mel Jensen, Associate Dean in the Technical
& Industrial Division, the Diesel program began at the college
in 1972 and over the years, enrollment has fluctuated. “Currently,
we are experiencing greater demand for the program from increased
student enrollment and job postings by employers. Enrollments in
the program have increased by 108% in the past three years alone,”
said Jensen. MSTC has made significant investments in updating the
curriculum and the equipment used in this program to meet standards
set by the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF)
and the Automotive Society of Engineers (ASE), said Engel, the program’s
instructor since 2003. “We recently obtained a grant to revisit
the curriculum and are in the process of redeveloping the curriculum
to line-up with NATEF standards.” Engel added that the program’s
appeal to students is the hands-on learning with large pieces of
equipment, personalized instruction and lab work and solid job placement.
Jensen said the program is positioning itself to meet current employer
needs as well as looking to future needs for advanced technology.
“We recently purchased a truck with all of the necessary technology
as well as received a donation of a Cummins Engine, which will meet
advanced training needs and the latest emission standards.”
MSTC’s Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician program helps
students develop skills to be successful in the on- and off-road
service industry. They learn to locate and repair mechanical and
electrical problems in trucks, buses, construction equipment, farm
equipment and industrial machinery. Engel and Jensen said the training
emphasis is in diesel engine rebuilding, fuel injection systems,
chassis and suspension systems, brakes and electrical systems. “The
employment outlook for graduates is very good. If a student wants
a job or career in this field, there are jobs to be had,”
said Jensen.
In other news, Vickie Lock, Grants Specialist, provided an overview
of federal funding issues which could impact the college and are
slated for discussion with the 110th Congress. Her presentation
highlighted the number of students served with federal funding,
performance measures and pending legislation. Lock addressed proposed
legislation to reauthorize some federal funds and said the college's
primary federal funding sources include the Workforce Investment
Act, the Carl Perkins Vocational & Technical Education Act,
the Higher Education Act and the Adult Education & Family Literacy
Act. She said nearly 70% of MSTC’s program students receive
some form of financial assistance and the proposed budget reauthorizations
would further limit funding and make it more difficult for students.
"Our students need these federally funded programs to access
and be successful in education,” said Lock.
The next Mid-State Technical College Board of Directors meeting
will be held on Monday, February 20 at the Wisconsin Rapids campus.
Committee meetings are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m., with the
regular Board meeting beginning at 5:00 p.m.
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