CPI among four north American institutes offering program with Case Construction Equipment emphasis
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology is one of four institutes in North America to offer a program with an emphasis in Case Construction Equipment: the diploma or Associate in Specialized Technology degree program in Heavy Diesel Construction. Instructor Andy King said that because students learn with an emphasis on Case Construction equipment, they also will have the knowledge of how to work on other machinery.
The diploma program is an 11-month, hourly program that focuses on the technology and mechanics of diesel trucks. Those students are given the first 12 weeks to decide if they’d like to transfer diploma program credits toward the AST degree program. The second term, or next 12 weeks, is the start of general education courses.
The first year of the degree program matches up with the diploma program, and includes in-class and hands-on work. The second year focuses on a core set of courses based on Case-specific equipment. The two-year program is broken down into seven terms that includes a required externship with Groff Tractor and Equipment where students get industry experience in roles such as managerial work, how to run a parts counter, how to work out of a service truck and shop, become an equipment mechanic, and more.
“There is definitely a demand for technicians in the diesel field, especially locally,” King said. “We (also) have contacts with companies on much of the east coast and some of the Midwest so we can easily place (graduates) in jobs just about anywhere, if that’s what they choose. Just in West Virginia alone, I’ve got two companies that call throughout the year asking about employees, and they’re Case dealers.”
Through the programs, students may also qualify for the MACS 609 certification through the Mobile Air Conditioning Society, Class A CDL license, Category 3 Inspection certification for heavy trucks, inspection licenses for automobiles and motorcycles, and the ASE Student Certification through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.