Freightliner donation opens up new learning opportunities for Hillyard students

By Jazmine Knight

Hillyard Technical Center students will have another way to gain hands-on career experience thanks to a new piece of equipment.

Diesel tech students welcomed a new, fully operational Freightliner chassis donated by Daimler Truck North America. The chassis was previously stored at Altec as the school’s diesel shop was being remodeled.

Mike Moore, Altec principal engineer and school board vice president, said this moment was the culmination of over a year’s worth of work. He said the diesel tech program started as an idea but it has now led to a business partnership with Daimler Truck North America.

“They make Freightliner. And all we really had to do was ask, ‘Hey, do you have a truck we could use?’ And they did,” he said. “Students can see everything they need to see and how it works in the real world.”

Moore said this gives students access to the latest technologies, which makes them more prepared to go into the workforce.

Chad Dudley, diesel instructor at Hillyard, said with the combination of training modules and the chassis, students will have a real-life example of going to work and using the proper equipment. The new truck was somewhat a surprise to him as well.

“I knew last year, but I’d never seen it. Mr. Moore had sent me some pictures, but, that’s all I knew,” Dudley said.

As an instructor, Dudley is looking forward to the kids learning more about the changes to the diesel industry.

“We’re used to mechanics and the old, you know, we’re going to get dirty and oily and greasy, and that’s just not true anymore,” he said. “It’s the software. It’s the computers, it’s wiring, it’s electronics, all of that stuff that tends to get forgotten about.”

With technology constantly changing, it’s crucial to have newer technology and equipment in schools. Dudley said hands-on learning experiences, like what the diesel truck will provide, make it easier for students to adapt to changing technologies.

Moore said it feels great to be a part of such a great cause.

“The students of St. Joseph are important enough to warrant an absolute world-class diesel technology program. And that’s what we provided,” he said. “Even the auto tech students are looking at this big truck and saying, ‘Hey, this is pretty cool.’”

Seniors Parker Chambers and Gus Mink said the donation is exciting. They know the truck provides great opportunities to learn something new.

“Just kind of learn new stuff instead of just our old farm rigs and whatnot,” Mink said.

“Learn how to put engines back together,” Chambers said.

They each got started in the diesel industry because they wanted to learn how to complete jobs differently than they learned on the farm.

“It can be something I use the rest of my life,” Mink said.