Students will use tractors to further their education
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Students at three U.S. technical schools will be using new pieces of farm equipment to further their skills.
Case IH donated three tractors – a Puma 170, Optum 270 and Optum 300 to Parkland College in Champaign, Ill., North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, N.D. and Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, S.D., respectively.
The students in the schools’ diesel technology programs will receive training on how to repair ag equipment and use the tractors to apply what they learn in the classroom.
“Programs and partnerships like these are instrumental in helping our dealer network hire excellent technicians,” J.E. Cadle, Case IH marketing manager for Maxxum, Puma and Optum tractors, said in a statement. “There is always a demand for technicians, and we are excited to take this opportunity to supply future generations with important first-hand learning opportunities and experience.”
Representatives from the schools are thankful for the donation.
Having access to the latest equipment and technology gives students a solid foundation for the types of job opportunities they’ll face after graduation.
“A donation like this is huge for our program,” said Darrel Woolery, agriculture department supervisor at Lake Area Technical Institute. “Our students are excited about it, and it serves as a great recruitment tool. Because new equipment is changing rapidly, the more familiar they are with new technology, the better prepared they are.”
Farms.com has reached out to Case IH and the recipient schools for comment.