Vermont Tech selected by Caterpillar for Dealer Excellence Fund

For the fourth year in a row, Vermont Technical College has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Caterpillar Dealer Excellence Fund (DEF) to provide resources for curriculum development and scholarships to students in the schoolâ s Diesel Power Technology Program.
â Weâ re thrilled that Caterpillar has decided to continue its generous support of our efforts,’said Associate Professor Stephen Belitsos, director of the Diesel Power Technology Program. â Weâ re particularly indebted to Milton CAT, in Milton, Massachusetts, which brought us into the DEF program and employs several of our graduates. Milton CAT has supplied significant additional support to the VTC Diesel program since its inception.â
Established in 1989, the Caterpillar Dealer Excellence Fund is a partnership between the Caterpillar Foundation, Americas Distribution Services, participating dealers, and eligible secondary/post-secondary schools. The fundâ s goal is to help develop state-of-the-art curriculum and education, leading to technical jobs for graduates and ultimately increasing the mechanics’ pool of talent.
Vermont Techâ s Diesel Power Technology program provides training for technicians to service agricultural, earth-moving, and heavy-duty truck equipment. The program emphasizes basic mechanical and electronics diagnostic and repair skill training and a blend of English, mathematics, physics, business, and general education courses. Students are prepared for careers as general repair technicians, parts professionals, service advisors, and, with experience, service managers. Self-employment is also a viable option with the small business course included in the curriculum.
About Vermont Technical College ‘ Vermont Technical College is the only public institution of higher learning in Vermont whose mission is applied education. One of the five Vermont State Colleges, Vermont Tech serves students from throughout Vermont, New England, and beyond at its two primary campuses in Williston and Randolph Center, and at nine nursing campuses located throughout the state. Our academic programs encompass a wide range of engineering, agricultural, health, and business fields that are vital to producing the knowledge workers need most by employers in the state and in the region. www.vtc.edu.
Randolph, VT (Milton, MA)June 27, 2012