This grant was focused on expanding online, hybrid, and distance education courses to address barriers to geographic and economic participation for high school and college students. These efforts were perfectly timed, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing major disruptions to traditional in-class instruction since March 2020. Diesel Technology distance learning courses continue to be offered on NETC’s online learning platform, Desire 2 Learn (D2L). All diesel courses have been modified to a hybrid model, with lectures occurring over Zoom virtual meetings, and in-person labs. More recently, new Virtual Reality equipment has been installed, which assists with providing new educational opportunities to an expanded group of high school students.

NETC has partnered with the Apprenticeship Carolina Team and local businesses to enhance work-based learning experiences to Diesel Technology students. Work-based learning opportunities continue to be offered by regional employers, including: Diesel Man Truck Center, Service Transportation, Inc., Chesterfield Bus Shop, Bennettsville Bus Shop, Latta Bus Shop, Marlboro County School District, and the Dillon County School District 4.

NETC has developed training opportunities and state-approved certificate programs in the following areas: Preventative Diesel Maintenance, Diesel Engine Repair, Semi-Truck Drive Trains, and Diesel Electronics. Currently, five Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) entry-level student certifications are offered at NETC: Brakes, Diesel Engines, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Suspension and Steering, and Inspection, Maintenance, and Minor Repair. These certifications are intended for students with no work experience and are valid for two years while they gain field experience and classroom training. NETC6also awards eight different ASE Medium-Heavy Truck Certifications for those with two years of work experience or similar combination of work and related schooling, including: T1 Gasoline Engines, T2 Diesel Engines, T3 Drive Trains, T4 Brakes, T5 Suspension and Steering, T6 Electrical/Electronic Systems, T7 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, and T8 Preventative Maintenance and Inspection. As of April 2022, NETC’s Cheraw Campus has been approved by ASE to be a certified testing site for student certificates.There have been efforts to incorporate employer certifications and industry recognized certifications into the Diesel program. Specific industry-standard credentials that are in progress include: Snap-On 525 multimeter certification (embedded in the Electrical AUT 132 course); Timken certification; and Hunter certification. Employer-specific credentials are in process with the following companies: GM; Chevrolet; Freightliner; Mac; Peterbilt; and International. The goal is to have students graduate with the ability to work on any engine in any regional dealership.

NETC has surpassed the grant goal of 10 employers engaged, with 19 employers involved with the project. Employers are engaged in the program in various capacities, including the Diesel Technology Advisory Council, equipment donations, and apprenticeship programming. All industry partners are invited to participate in the advisory council. 

NETC has developed a pathway which enables students to enroll into Diesel Mechanics by the 10th grade. These students have the potential to graduate with four certificates: Diesel Preventative Maintenance, Diesel Electronics, Diesel Engine Repair, and Semi-Truck Drive Train. Additionally, five ASE8student certifications may be earned: Brakes, Inspection, Maintenance and Minor Repair, Suspension and Steering, Electrical/Electronic Systems, and Diesel Engines.The Innovative Course Application state approval process was an unexpected delay in program implementation, causing temporary suspension of program activity. In the final year of the grant, the state approved NETC partner school district Innovative Course Applications for Automotive and Diesel Mechanics courses. Now that approval has been received, students can enroll in college courses and receive completer credit for Diesel Mechanics coursework. This expanded student pool will have the potential to be “career-ready” by high school graduation. NETC anticipates eleven 10th grade students to start the Automotive program in Fall 2023. Students will take coursework from 10th through 11th grade, then flow into Diesel Technology curriculum by the 12th grade.

Through the implementation of this project, NETC has been able to establish relationships, processes, and procedures that will benefit NETC’s Diesel Technology programming, dual-enrollment pathways, and employer/educator relationships well beyond the life of the grant.-NETC’s ability to build partnerships with regional employers and educators has resulted in programming that best aligns to student needs.-The program’s ability to embed education degrees and certificates, industry-recognized credentials, and employer-specific credentials ensures there are no training gaps leading to potential diesel technician jobs.-NETC now has a strong understanding of the Innovative Course Application approval process and should have the ability to partner with new schools to implement more options for students in Diesel (and other fields of study) in the future.The grant team has been successful in problem-solving through the entire project. Though the project was not able to reach student participant grant metrics, they were able to achieve their employer engagement targets. Efforts made during the grant period established processes that will benefit not just Diesel Technologies, but any program, and any college/school district in the South Carolina Technical College System.

Last Modified: 11/17/2023
Modified by: James Tarasiewicz