Mack Trucks and Volvo recently awarded Nathaniel Chyle and Zachary Ramirez, both students enrolled in WyoTech’s Diesel Advanced Technology Education (DATE) for the Mack Trucks program and Volvo program respectively, with DATE Scholarships.
Mack Trucks scholarship and program
Mack Trucks continues to invest in training for future technicians, recently awarding Nathaniel Chyle, a student enrolled in WyoTech’s Diesel Advanced Technology Education (DATE) for Mack Trucks program in Blairsville, Pa., with a Mack Trucks DATE 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.
“Students who complete WyoTech’s DATE program for Mack Trucks in addition to the core Diesel Technology training program are ready to join the workforce and will bring extensive hands-on experience to their new positions at Mack dealerships,” said Dale Eslinger, executive director of the WTI Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that administers scholarships for WyoTech students.
Mack’s own technician training programs, offered through the seven Mack Trucks Academy locations, also recently received recognition, winning a 2013 Excellence in Learning Award from the Brandon Hall Group, a preeminent research and analyst organization focused on driving organizational performance. 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 percent of a Mack dealership’s service technicians must maintain Expert or Master Tech status.
Volvo Trucks scholarship and program
Volvo Trucks in North America is pleased to announce Zachary Ramirez, a student enrolled in WyoTech’s Diesel Advanced Technology Education (DATE) for Volvo Trucks program in Blairsville, Pa., as the recipient of an $8,700 Volvo Trucks DATE scholarship. 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,” he 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.
2013 Excellence in Learning Award
Brandon Hall Group, a leading research and analyst organization focused on learning development, recently presented Volvo Trucks Academy with top honors at its 2013 Learning Awards. Volvo Trucks Academy, which provides Volvo Trucks sales, aftermarket and technician training, was recognized for its VistaTech service technician certification program.
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.
