The prevalent scarlet and gray most often seen at the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is being supplemented with a heavy dose of Kubota orange this fall.

Kubota Tractor Corp. is partnering with ATI to establish the Kubota Tech College training program. Students will be trained using high-tech Kubota equipment in areas such as diagnostics, preventative maintenance and major repair.

In addition to equipment loans and annual updates through 2023, Kubota is donating more than $21,000 to purchase tool sets and complete renovations to the ATI Engineering Technologies Laboratory.

“The two programs impacted are the power equipment program, and hydraulic power and motion control program,” says Robby Frutchey, ATI coordinator for both programs.

In the power equipment program, students learn about career preparation, electrical courses, engine diagnostics, mobile heating and air conditioning, welding and power transmission.

Students in the hydraulic power and motion control program learn the fundamentals of fluid power and components, hydraulic circuits, basic electricity, basic pneumatics, analog and digital electronics, power transmission and computer-aided design.

“While Kubota Tractor Corp. has been a strong ally of ATI in the past, this new partnership will provide an impactful experience in the classroom and help us train the next generation of skilled technicians,” says Kris Boone, assistant dean and ATI director. “Their contributions will not only make our teaching more diverse, but will also make our program stand out.”

Training curriculum

The development of the training curriculum will include train-the-trainer activities to ensure that instructors stay current with industry requirements and skills. Kubota dealers will also offer work-based training, including internship and apprenticeship opportunities.

"Skilled technicians are the backbone of every Kubota dealership around the country, and the demand for those skills is only increasing," says Stacy B. Schroeder, senior manager of Kubota University. "We are excited to partner with ATI to establish the Kubota Tech College training program to build the qualified workforce needed to support the growth and prosperity of Ohio and its residents, and beyond. We'll closely collaborate to identify and build the most relevant skills students will require to successfully enter the rural workforce in the equipment industry."

In addition to receiving an associate of applied science degree from ATI, students will have the chance to become industry-certified Kubota technicians through the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). NC3 offers program certifications built on national skills standards in many areas.

“By the year 2022, the Kubota network of dealerships needs to hire 3,400 new technicians. We are excited to have been approached by Kubota and NC3 to be a part of this goal,” Frutchey says.

When students become Kubota-certified technicians through NC3, they will be proficient in eight areas: predelivery and inspection; preventive maintenance; maintenance procedures; electrical; hydraulics; engine; powertrain; and brakes, steering and suspension.

OSU ATI,which offers 26 associate degrees, has been named one of the five top trade schools in the U.S. by both Fox Business News and niche.org.

“Our goal is for Ohio State ATI to become a workforce development hub,” Boone says. “We’re doing this by growing and developing a future workforce that meets the needs of the agricultural industry with a focus on K–12 education through Ohio 4-H; preparing ATI students for the jobs of tomorrow; and updating current industry personnel with recertification and advisory programs.”

Source: OSU, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Science, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.