Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) has partnered with Cummins Inc. to train service technicians pursuing an associate of applied science degree through the Cummins’ Technician Apprentice Program at the Salt Lake’s Westpointe Workforce Training & Education Center.
The program is a partnership between higher education and industry that offers training for a variation of diesel platforms and technologies, full-time employment while in the program, free tuition and credits that are transferable to four-year degree programs, according to CCJDigital.
“Salt Lake Community College is thrilled to enter into this very important partnership with Cummins International,” said Dr. Eric Heiser, dean of the School of Applied Technology & Professional Development. “This is just one more way we can help to address the nationwide shortage of diesel mechanics while partnering with one of the most well-known and respected brands in the diesel industry. We are grateful for the confidence that Cummins has shown in us to be able to deliver quality diesel technician training to their apprentices.”
Salt Lake is one of three U.S. institutions that host the two-year program and provide job training to Cummins’ employees.
Cummins Inc. has sponsored 30 apprentice students so far by covering their education and TAP program expenses at Salt Lake.
While students are in the TAP program, they can participate in a U.S. Department of Labor Technician Apprenticeship, where they can earn their SLCC associate’s degree and be Cummins-certified in engines.
“Throughout our 100 years, we have spent time and energy investing in our people, and those people are the lifeblood of our company and the lifeblood of our business,” said Jenny Bush, executive director of North America Distribution for Cummins. “Without employees like our technicians here, we would not be where we are standing a hundred years later. As I think about our legacy and our heritage, everything we stand for sits in this room. I’m thrilled we’re able to continue that legacy as we get into our next hundred years.”
SLCC is the only accredited community college in the state of Utah. Salt Lake is the state’s leading provider of workforce development programs and has the largest number of transfer students to Utah’s four-year institutions.
A global power leader, Cummins Inc. designs, builds and distributes and service diesel and natural gas engines and related technologies, including filtration and power generation products.
