The diesel equipment technology program at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead recently received a welcome donation from a community business partner.

Doosan Bobcat North America, West Fargo, N.D., donated three Bobcat machines to the Moorhead tech school, also known as M-State. Doosan Bobcat, a longtime education supporter and STEM advocate, provided the equipment as part of the manufacturer’s continued focus on community outreach and science, technology, engineering and math learning. M-State is also one of eight Doosan Bobcat training sites in the U.S.

“Through our continued partnership with educational institutions such as M-State, we are helping build a future pipeline of skilled manufacturing professionals,” says Laura Ness Owens, vice president of marketing, communication and public affairs at Doosan Bobcat North America.

The donated equipment includes a 2005 Toolcat utility work machine, a 2013 T630 compact track loader and a 2015 T630 compact track loader, as well as a variety of parts that can be used for training modules.

“Thanks to the generosity of companies like Doosan Bobcat, our students have access to top-of-the-line industry resources, expertise and training, preparing them for success in a globally-connected workforce,” says Karen Reilly, M-State associate dean of marketing and outreach.

Diesel-related careers have been in need of technicians to fill positions for more than a decade. Reilly acknowledges that there have been more jobs available than technicians to fill them, and that students upon graduation often have guaranteed jobs.

M-State accepts 24 students per year into its diesel equipment technology program. The program is usually at capacity each year.

Students in M-State’s diesel equipment technology program work with state-of-the-art equipment on the Moorhead campus and through supervised work experiences. The college offers four diesel equipment technology program degrees that prepare students for careers in truck and trailer maintenance, farm equipment, construction equipment, stationary diesel engines in electrical generators and other related equipment.

Partnership programs

M-State also offers partnership programs with Case IH and New Holland, where students have supervised occupational work experiences at dealerships. Students in these programs may receive partial reimbursement for tuition and tools, employment with Case IH or New Holland during the academic year and the summer, and uniforms for school and work.

Last fall, M-State offered the only diesel program in the region to supply needed tools for its second-year students on campus, ensuring students will have tools available at both their job sites and at the college, Reilly says.

Tuition for the two-year diesel equipment technology program costs roughly $13,465 for an in-state resident. Additional costs, such as a technology fee, books, supplies and uniform bring the estimated total closer to $18,580.

For the 2020-21 academic year, M-State awarded $265,000 in Workforce Development Scholarships to 106 students. The workforce scholarships — $2,500 each — are funded by the Minnesota Legislature to help ease the shortage of skilled workers in high-demand career fields. The scholarships target students enrolled in the program areas of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, early childhood education, health care services, information technology and transportation.

More information is available online at Business and industry partner sponsorships. For more information on M-State’s diesel program, visit Diesel Equipment Technology.