Heavy-duty service providers continue to show their creativity with new ways to create technician pipelines into our industry. The latest effort to combat the tech shortage comes from Four Star Freightliner.
The dealer announced in May an expanded partnership with Ingram State Technical College. The agreement, which will benefit students enrolled in Ingram’s diesel mechanics program, is the result of a two-year partnership between the college, Four Star Freightliner, the Alabama Department of Corrections and the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship.
An apprenticeship is one part of the program designed to prepare students for the transition from classroom to workforce. Participants will complete college courses and earn select lab credit hours as apprentices through Four Star Freightliner.
In addition to the recent announcement, Four Star Freightliner has worked with the diesel tech program at Ingram State since 2014 by donating inoperable, but modern equipment such as transmissions and engines for the students to work on — and even allowing them to borrow a truck, according to the dealer.
“Ingram State’s leadership behind [President] Annette Funderburk is just outstanding. With their high energy and ‘we can accomplish anything’ attitude, it is easy to support those types of people. They also have an outstanding diesel technology instructor who is there for all the right reasons. We support them with up-to-date products to work on because it will not do anyone any good working with outdated equipment and technology,” says Four Star Freightliner Dealer Principal Jerry Kocan, who is also a member of Ingram State’s industry advisory board.
Those who are incarcerated and have received a “minimum community out security level status” within the department of corrections are eligible for the program. “They would be available for work release and they’re working in vocations all across Alabama which allows them to earn a wage,” says Funderburk.
