By Phoebe Fries, staff reporter.
Several businesses in the Great Lakes Bay region reached out to Delta College concerning shortages in diesel technicians. In response, Delta created a Heavy Duty Diesel Technology program as well as a training program.
According to the Delta College website, the training program is a 10 week course. The program was created to prepare students for a future career as a diesel technician, as well as narrowing in on preventative maintenance and inspection.
Thomas Coats, Delta’s Heavy Duty Diesel Coordinator, says, “Student interest was here before the market was available. Now, that’s been coupled with the occupational demand.”
Coats states that the program will be a significant addition to the school. Students will have the opportunity to obtain employment and local employer’s needs will be reached.
“It wouldn’t have been possible, for this program to get off the ground nearly as quickly, without a very generous grant from the Harvey Randel Wix Foundation in Saginaw,” says Coats.
According to Coats, funding for the project originated from the grant. It is a two year degree program in Heavy Duty Diesel Service Technology.
Coats says, “I see nothing but good coming out of this. Diesel is huge. There is nothing that we consume that doesn’t come from a truck.”
Applications for the training are due on Oct. 21. The training program is limited to 12 students. Classes will begin on Nov. 1 starting at 6p.m.
Students interested in the diesel technology program can find the application form at http://www.delta.edu/files/Corpserv/Diesel-FS-Application.pdf