Semi Donated To ISU Diesel Program
A huge donation has rolled into Idaho State University; federal money is getting a semitruck for students.
The donation is to help out ISU’s Diesel Technology program, which is one of the best programs across the state, in any field, when it comes to getting grads jobs.
ISU got the grant money for the truck through the Department of Labor.
“It seems a little interesting and maybe even humorous that you would give a university a semitruck,? Idaho Department of Labor economist Dan Cravens said.
The grant money is earmarked for green initiatives, and although diesel mechanics can get dirty, new technology, like what’s found on the brand new tractor-trailer, cleans up the emissions.
“We’re excited to have it. It’s going to help us to teach the new emissions technology and the green technology,? diesel program coordinator Ivan Bullock said.
Instructors at the program said if students can only work on outdated machines, it means their skills are outdated when they graduate.
“To keep the students with the newest technology, we really need to have new equipment to work on to get the students to where they need to be,? Bullock said.
The Department of Labor chose specifically to help out this program at ISU because it’s a growing field.
Cravens said businesses in the region have a growing need for employees trained in diesel technology.
“Diesel mechanics are an area where there is constant need and there is growth,? Cravens said.
Student Brandon Willcoxon is close to graduating, and while he’s confident he’ll have plenty of job offers, the outlook isn’t so great for his friends studying in other fields.
“I know a lot of people that’s been to school for computers and that, and they’re working in Mcdonald’s right now because they can’t find a job. So I think it’s a great field to go into, and you’re pretty much guaranteed a job when you graduate,? Willcoxon said.
