PRESQUE ISLE – The diesel hydraulics technology program at Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) has received certification by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
Contributed photo
NORTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE diesel hydraulics technology senior students William Belanger (foreground) of Portage Lake and Kruger Tyler (back, left) of Blue Hill work on a piece of heavy machinery in a recent lab class at NMCC with instructor Robert Rice. The diesel hydraulics technology program at NMCC recently earned national certification.
To achieve the coveted recognition and recertification, the school’s diesel hydraulics training program underwent a rigorous evaluation by NATEF. Nationally accepted standards of excellence in areas such as instruction, facilities, and equipment were used.
“This is great news for automotive-minded young people and their parents,” said Donald Seyfer, NATEF chair. “Because this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that NMCC’s graduates will be employable entry-level technicians. As a result of the quality education provided by NMCC, the motoring public will benefit since better repair technicians will join the work force.”
Upon completion of the evaluation, NATEF recommended that NMCC be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE is a national non-profit organization which tests and certifies repair technicians, in addition to certifying automotive training programs.
“We commend you and your staff for maintaining your program’s standards, and continuing to meet the industry’s requirements. The explosion in automotive technology makes your high quality automotive training program more valuable than ever,” wrote NATEF President William Kersten in a letter to the college acknowledging the re-certification of the diesel hydraulics technology program.
Specifically, NATEF recognized the program on meeting the criteria for recertification in brakes, diesel engines, electrical electronic systems, preventative maintenance inspection and suspension and steering.
“During the past few months, the diesel hydraulics advisory committee members and I have worked closely with NATEF to make certain that our program continues to meet strict industry standards, and now we are pleased to learn that ASE has again certified our program,” said Robert Rice, NMCC diesel hydraulics technology instructor. “Students are assured of a top quality education, and shop owners will be assured of getting quality job applicants.”
Like all other NMCC programs, the diesel hydraulics technology program relies heavily on the input of industry leaders and practitioners in the career field. According to Rice, that was especially the case in preparing for the recent review.
Members of the diesel hydraulics technology program advisory committee that worked particularly closely with Rice to prepare for and undergo the accreditation review were Jeff Butterfield, a past graduate of the NMCC program who is employed by Whited Ford; Rodney Bourgoin of the Caribou School Department, Harold Cote of Crown Equipment, and Cam Rust of Irving Woodlands. The team worked to ensure the program met all standards set by NATEF.
A team of four peer reviewers conducted an on-site evaluation of the program in early December 2008. The team, led by Paul Wigmore, a retired heavy equipment instructor from Amesbury, Mass., included local industry leaders Stan Bonville, senior technician for Bonville Boys; Bob Good, service manager for ABC Express; and Herman Taylor, service manager for Maine Potato Growers, Inc.
The diesel hydraulics technology program at NMCC is a two-year program emphasizing the basic principles of mechanics along with heavy equipment operation and tune-up of diesel engines in the first year. Specialization in diesel hydraulics occurs in the second year and includes work on hydraulic systems repair, diesel rebuilding, equipment reconditioning and painting, heavy duty welding and air conditioning.
Graduates of the program find employment as mechanics with construction companies, logging companies, farm machinery dealers, heavy equipment dealers, farm operations and other businesses that deal with diesel hydraulic equipment and repair.
