Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks have both announced recipients of scholarships for students enrolled in WyoTech’s Diesel Advanced Technology Education (DATE) programs.
Zachary Ramirez has been awarded an $8,700 Volvo Trucks DATE scholarship. Ramirez is enrolled in the Volvo Trucks program at WyoTech’s Blairsville, PA, campus.
Volvo Trucks’ focus on technician training has also led to a 2013 Excellence in Learning Award from the Brandon Hall Group, which awarded Volvo Trucks Academy for its VistaTech service technician certification program.
Ramirez, who is originally from Texas, is already seeing the benefits of being enrolled in the DATE program.
“I have gone through several rounds of interviews for a position as a technician with a Volvo Trucks dealer in Texas,” Ramirez said. “I’m very excited about this opportunity, and I feel that being a student in the DATE program is already helping me get my foot in the door.”
The DATE program’s comprehensive curriculum complements WyoTech’s core Diesel Technology training programs to help prepare graduates for entry-level positions servicing and repairing Volvo trucks. Students enrolled in the program receive specialized training on Volvo engines, electronics, emissions, powertrain and chassis components.
DATE is designed to produce advanced apprentice technicians with a potential for an accelerated path in the VistaTech program.
“We’re proud to help support technician education and recognize the valuable role expert Volvo technicians play in the success of our products and dealer network,” said Göran Nyberg, president, Volvo Trucks North American sales & marketing.
Through VistaTech, Volvo technicians complete instructor-led and web-based training courses to develop their skills and attain advanced certification levels as they work toward becoming a Volvo master technician. The VistaTech certification program continues to bolster the number of Volvo master technicians in the Volvo Trucks dealer network.
Nathaniel Chyle was also awarded a scholarship. Chyle, who aspires to be a shop foreman or lead technician, will use the $8,700 scholarship to take part in the three-month DATE program in preparation for a position servicing and repairing Mack trucks.
Students enrolled in the DATE program receive specialized training on Mack engines, electronics, emissions, powertrain and chassis components. The program is designed to help students graduate as advanced apprentice technicians with a potential for an accelerated path to achieve Mack master technician status.
Mack’s own technician training programs, offered through the seven Mack Trucks Academy locations, also recently received a 2013 Excellence in Learning Award from the Brandon Hall Group.
Mack Trucks Academy took home a Gold Award, the highest honor, for its comprehensive curriculum and certification program that helps Mack technicians progress through training paths as they work toward becoming master technicians.
“It’s an honor to receive what is often called an ‘Academy Award’ by the learning industry,” said John Walsh, Mack vice president of marketing. “Strong training and certification programs are essential to Mack’s businesses, helping ensure our service technicians are authorities on the operations of our vehicles and are up to speed on the latest technologies.”
Mack’s certification program blends online and instructor-led courses, followed by comprehensive skills testing, to help technicians achieve the competencies needed to progress from skilled, to expert and ultimately master technician and maintain those certifications. At minimum, 50% of a Mack dealership’s service technicians must maintain Expert or Master Tech status.
