Automotive technology program increases visibility with visit, competition
The Citrus College Medium/Heavy-Duty Truck Technology program is continuing its streak of providing remarkable opportunities for students.
Quinn Caterpillar
In October, the program welcomed several managers and the executive vice president from Quinn Caterpillar, who spoke to students about employment opportunities and took part in a Q and A session. Also in attendance were Superintendent/President Schulz; Dr. Joumana McGowan, vice president of academic affairs; and Victoria Dominguez, dean of mathematics and business and interim dean of career, technical and continuing education.
With Quinn Caterpillar, Citrus College students are given priority for open job and internship positions. Since 2018, more than 15 students have completed semester-long internships that have allowed them to complete their work experience requirement for the master heavy truck and power generation technician certificates. So far, 12 former student interns are now full-time employees at Quinn Caterpillar.
Over the years, the company has helped Citrus College by donating Caterpillar engines, providing free training to automotive technology instructors and sharing access to diagnostic software and online repair manuals.
Cummins
A few days after that visit, Citrus College hosted a portion of the "Top Tech" competition for Cummins, one of the world's leading diesel engine manufacturers. Cummins technicians from the United States and Canada used a virtual meeting platform to call in and provide instructions to one of the Cummins trainers acting as a surrogate technician.
Automotive technology instructor Mariano Rubio said the event marked the first time that Citrus College hosted an event for Cummins, who was looking to partner with a school that provided training in all truck areas and had ample training equipment.
During the competition, students were able to observe different repair techniques as well as the tools used by master technicians.
"I was happy to point out the fact that the information systems used by the master technicians to look up specifications were the same ones we utilize in our heavy truck program," said Mr. Rubio. "It validated the efforts of the instructors to build course content that closely mirrors what technicians will experience in the field."
Mr. Rubio and fellow instructor Bryce Neighbors even served as judges during the event.
"Hosting a competition like this brings awareness to our heavy truck program," Mr. Rubio added. "Local shops that deal with Cummins will now know that we train our students using Cummins-specific materials. This will ultimately help students start their careers in our local shops due to the association between Cummins and Citrus College."
This article originally appeared in the December 2021 edition of the Citrus View.