WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Twenty-six participants from 14 career and technical education centers took part in Pennsylvania College of Technology’s second annual diesel competition at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, which offered an impressive exhibition of student know-how and an impactful celebration of what it portends for the industry’s sustenance.
Aside from offering competitors a striking venue in which to display their proficiency, the Dec. 9-10 event highlighted the significant opportunities available through Penn College’s diesel program and its bighearted corporate partners.
Berks Career & Technology Center (diesel) won first place overall, and was presented with $5,000 in training funds courtesy of Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Inc.
“We greatly appreciate the opportunity, and are very proud of our students and instructors!” said Michael B. Stauffer, executive director at the school, which also fielded a heavy equipment team at the competition.
The top three individual winners and their resulting Penn College scholarship offers are:
- First: Tyler Brotzman, Northern Tier Career Center; $10,000 scholarship.
- Second: Pearce Alleyne, York County School of Technology; $7,500 scholarship.
- Third: Aidan Nunan, Berks Career & Technology Center (diesel); $5,000 scholarship. He holds an additional $7,500 Penn College scholarship for being 2021’s second-place winner.
“We are extremely proud of our students and the level that they have reached up to this point in their careers,” said Kevin Heimbach, diesel instructor at Berks. “For some, the next step will be Penn College, and the diesel competition opened that door.”
An open door, indeed: Of the 12 seniors who competed on Dec. 10, seven have applied for fall 2023 enrollment at Penn College. And four students from last year’s competition just finished their first semester at Penn College.
The instructor also noted the value in networking with the many supporters of the competition, and not only among students. CTC faculty were invited to get much-needed factory training from dealers so they can pass on the knowledge to their students, and there is the potential for donations to replace some of the older equipment in their shops.
“I believe that it is a very productive use of our time to help improve the Berks CTC Diesel Technology program and the caliber of the students who will replace us in the diesel and heavy equipment field,” Heimbach added. “I hope that this event will continue for many years to come.”
The farsighted aim of the competition was made clear Friday evening, when Justin W. Beishline, assistant dean of diesel technology and natural resources, welcomed competitors, families and sponsors to dinner in the Thompson Professional Development Center on the college’s main campus.
“Penn College produces graduates who are quality technicians and, still, the employers need more,” he told them. “We meet with diesel employers on a regular basis, and they all have the same needs for qualified technicians. The employers often ask us what we can do, or if they can help us to recruit more students. In response, we worked together to create this diesel competition for you to showcase your skills.
“Throughout this event, we hope you will be encouraged by how valuable your CTC education is and discover how a Penn College education can open countless doors to viable career choices throughout the diesel industry.”