New program available at NGTC
Diesel Service Technician course is under way

An exciting new program – Heavy Diesel Service Technician – is underway at North Georgia Technical College.

Thirteen students are enrolled in the inaugural class, which began this fall and will continue through Summer Quarter 2007.

“The program is a partnership between Yancey Brothers Co. and North Georgia Tech,” noted Dr. Ruth Nichols, NGTC President.

She added: “It’s a real vote of confidence that Yancey Brothers -- one of the top companies in Georgia -- would seek out North Georgia Tech to prepare Heavy Diesel Service Technicians for the world of work. The students in this program will have the opportunity to pursue a career with solid pay and benefits – with Yancey or any company that needs heavy diesel service technicians.”

“We are proud of our partnership with North Georgia Tech,” stated Mr. Vic Morris, Yancey’s Vice President of Product Support. “Working together, we’ll be able to educate and train men and women to help prepare them for a career with Yancey Brothers Company. The exposure to a true college environment will play an important a role in the personal growth of these students in addition to the educational side.”

Yancey Brothers, based in Austell, is the oldest Caterpillar dealer in the nation and serves as the sole sales and service representative for Caterpillar

products in Georgia. The bright yellow and black “Yancey/CAT” logo is seen frequently throughout Georgia on a wide variety of Caterpillar road building, grading, and other heavy-duty equipment.

Dr. Tom Sommer, Vice President of Instruction at North Georgia Tech, noted that this program has drawn students from the Atlanta area and throughout North Georgia, with many of the students staying in the resident hall on campus. He added that Georgia residents can use the HOPE grant to pay the tuition for this program.

“Yancey’s commitment to NGTC and this Heavy Diesel Service Technician program is strong – in terms of money, equipment, and other support,” Dr. Sommer said. “North Georgia Tech’s values and work ethics parallel those at Yancey, so it’s a great partnership.”

Yancey Brothers has donated $25,000 to the program, and this donation was matched dollar for dollar by the Caterpillar Foundation. Most of the $50,000 has been spent on the latest tools and equipment. While Yancey has provided valuable assistance, NGTC has provided part of its new Transportation Center for classroom and lab space for the class. In addition, NGTC has employed a full-time instructor dedicated to the Heavy Diesel program.

Jim Larson, Corporate Training Manager for Yancey, noted that NGTC is “an ideal college in an ideal location” for this new program. Only three

other technical colleges in Georgia partner with Yancey to offer the heavy diesel program: West Central Tech in Carrollton, Altamaha Tech in Jesup, and South Georgia Tech in Americus.

“North Georgia Tech is very customer oriented, and because of that we’ve come a long way in a very short time,” Mr. Larson said. “Working together, we have put together the right facility, the right training aids, the right tooling, the right instructor, and the right students.”

He added: “Yancey’s commitment to this program is long-term. We’re here for the long haul and our support will continue each year. In fact, we have plans to strengthen the program as we go along. We are so pleased with this first class of students and the progress they are making.”

The instructor, Bill Johnson, formerly in fleet maintenance with the Cobb County bus transportation system, is high on the new program and feels this first group of students will benefit greatly from Certificate Program which lasts a total of four quarters. Johnson recently retired from the Georgia National Guard, and served a two-year tour in Kuwait and a two-year tour in Iraq. While there, he worked as a Battalion Maintenance Technician.

“We’ve got a good group,” he said. “Some of them have come from backgrounds where they’ve grown up around equipment. They took to this right away as far as the engines and equipment are concerned. We had others with no background in heavy equipment or trucks and they’re doing well too. This course is open to any student who is motivated and willing to work hard and to learn.”

He concluded: “It’s an excellent program, particularly because it gives the students an opportunity for an internship. During the last quarter (Summer 2007), there will be opportunities for interning with Yancey in Atlanta. This will provide students with a closer look at Yancey and all that they offer, and it also will give Yancey an opportunity to take a look at the students. The students will really have a chance to prove themselves and to show their knowledge.”

Anyone interested in signing up for this program for next Fall or would like more information should call Mr. Jeff Cornwell, Recruiter for Yancey, at 770-819-5178, or instructor Bill Johnson at North Georgia Tech at 706-754-7734.