Working with Panasonic, Noregon and Salem Nationalease donated Panasonic TOUGHPAD tablets to the Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology department at Forsyth Tech Community College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Each tablet includes a suite of diagnostic applications, including JPRO Professional - Noregon’s all makes and models in-shop diagnostic and repair application.
Salem Nationalease, a Winston-Salem based organization, providing dedicated transportation, equipment leasing, maintenance, used equipment sales, and more. As a local organization offering maintenance services, Salem Nationalease has firsthand experience working with Forsyth Tech graduates.
“Forsyth Tech has a reputation for training some of the top technicians in the industry,” said Michael Ellis, vice president of IT, Salem Nationalease. “It is a privilege for us to have the opportunity to supply classrooms with the latest technology to ensure the college continues to have the resources necessary to place work-ready professionals into the industry.”
As one of a few Panasonic Authorized Service Centers in the United States, Noregon offers Panasonic TOUGHBOOK rugged mobile tablets and laptops in their fleet service kits and performs warranty maintenance on customers’ devices.
“We recognize the value in providing customers with mobile computers that are capable of running advanced applications with hardware that stands up to rugged shop environments, which is why we partner with Panasonic for our hardware needs,” said Tim Bigwood, CEO, Noregon. “As part of our Education Program, Forsyth Tech is a valued Noregon partner and we are pleased to assist with their commitment to training the best technicians in the country.”
As a member of Noregon’s Education Program, students enrolled in the Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology program at Forsyth Tech are eligible for scholarships, receive semester-long licenses to JPRO’s Virtual Truck, and can purchase discounted hardware and software upon graduation.
Between its morning and afternoon classes, Forsyth Tech Community College enrolls nearly 45 students in the Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology courses. The college boasts a near-perfect placement rate for students after graduation and routinely finishes at the top of major competitions, such as TMC’s SuperTech and FutureTech.
Allen Doub, Lead instructor, credits the hard work of his students for their success. “We’ve had so many talented students come through the program over the years who really want to be the best they can be, which makes it a privilege to teach them,” said Doub. “With so many great organizations like Salem Nationalease and Noregon in our community, we are able to place students in positions where they can grow. Thanks to generous donations like these, my students are able to begin employment with the knowledge and skills to efficiently diagnose and repair vehicles with tools commonly used in the industry.”
