Students at Pennsylvania College of Technology's School of Natural Resources Management are getting valuable hands-on experience with a paving machine, courtesy of a donation by Roadtec Inc.
The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company has provided an RP185-10 track-driven paving machine to be used for instructional purposes by students and faculty in the Heavy Construction Equipment Technology program from August through March. The type of machine Roadtec has provided to the College typically rents for $1,000 per day.
Forty-eight students have received instruction in paving and paver operation, and 40 students have received instruction in electronic controls and machine service. Another 35 students will learn how to rebuild the paving machine.
Mark Smith, regional sales manager for Roadtec, responded to the College's inquiry about paver availability and worked with Jim Patterson, director of sales and marketing, to assist the College.
"The donation of the use of the Roadtec RP185-10 paving unit provides a valuable training experience in various areas of the Heavy Construction Equipment program," said Dr. Wayne R. Longbrake, dean of natural resources management at Penn College. "It enables us to broaden the exposure and hands-on experience of our students in another area of the construction industry. It is partnerships with companies like Roadtec that help us provide students with current technology to meet changing workforce needs."
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