College Certified as Training Facility for Diesel Industry Leader
Friday, April 11, 2008
Students in Pennsylvania College of Technology's diesel program have begun training under an industry heavyweight, with the promise of more intensive education as vehicles and the technology within them change.
The Eaton Corp., a leading international provider of automated diesel-electric hybrid and hydraulic hybrid drive systems for trucks, buses and other commercial applications, is coordinating a long-term program to educate Penn College students in hybrid-vehicle maintenance.
"This has proved to be a priceless experience for our students, an awesome hands-on view into the future of the commercial trucking industry," said Mark E. Sones, instructor of diesel equipment technology in the School of Natural Resources Management. The school is based at the college's Schneebeli Earth Science Center near Allenwood, 10 miles south of the main campus in Williamsport.
Penn College recently was certified as a Roadranger Academy training facility for Eaton's commercial truck products, one of only three in Pennsylvania. The college uses factory-authorized training programs in truck tractor chassis and alignment, powertrain and brake systems, commercial truck powertrain and state inspection, and automated powertrain products classes.
Sones said Shane Conner, product trainer for Eaton's regional territory, connected the college with Kevin Campbell, the corporation's national account product trainer, who is enthusiastic about working with Penn College in hybrid education.
The training will be offered in two levels: a Web-based introduction and a classroom/laboratory experience to be held at the Earth Science campus this summer. Students working with Eaton products in the automated-products class are completing the first phase now, Sones said, and all diesel powertrain students had an opportunity to study a hybrid Coca-Cola truck (for which Eaton manufactured the drivetrain) during its weeklong loan in March.
The School of Natural Resources Management offers two-year degrees in diesel technology and diesel technology: Mack emphasis, as well as a certificate in diesel technician.
For more information about the school, visit online or call (570) 320-8038. For general information about Penn College, visit online, e-mail or call toll-free (800) 367-9222.