DATE putting Grads a Step Ahead

Posted on Monday, January 13, 2020

UNOH Graduate Kevin Coleman works in the DATE Shop

Written by Communications Specialist Georgia Krebs

Kevin Coleman came to the University of Northwestern Ohio from Honaker, Virginia already knowing that by attending UNOH, he would be a step ahead of his competitors when entering the workforce. However, during his time at the University, the DATE Program was launched. This opened up another opportunity for Kevin to get even further ahead before entering the industry.

The Diesel Advanced Technology Education Program is aligned with Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks. UNOH is one of only three schools in the country that offer this specialty program to fill an ongoing shortage of skilled vehicle service technicians in the diesel industry. The program adds four courses after completion of a Diesel Technology education.

“The DATE Program has helped me in the aspects of having a jump start on using Mack & Volvo diagnostic tools and knowing how to navigate them,” Kevin said. “It also helped with giving me a higher starting pay then most entry level technicians.” Kevin had a job lined up for a Mack & Volvo Dealership prior to graduation.

Kevin jumped into his career immediately at Worldwide Equipment in Abingdon, Virginia as an Entry Level Service Technician. In this position Kevin is utilizing his skills doing PM services and inspections, diagnostic work, and still continuing his education with training. This is a great opportunity to move up the ranks, hopefully landing Kevin to his goal of becoming a lead technician one day.

“UNOH got me to where I am today by all the instructors sharing their knowledge throughout the six week sessions,” Kevin exclaimed. This knowledge gave him a base line of what he needed to know to be a successful technician.

The instructors of the DATE Program are Master Level certified by both Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks. Kevin told us he would “110% recommend the DATE Program. Michael Hunt is a very knowledgeable instructor and helped me a lot in becoming a Mack & Volvo professional-level technician.” These instructors have years of experience and insight, that sometimes cannot be learned from a textbook.

The diesel industry is full of great opportunities as diesel technicians have tremendous employment openings, potential for salary growth, and job security. Not only does the diesel degree come with a high career placement rate, but with completion of the DATE Program the UNOH Career Services team will assist graduates in securing jobs with Mack or Volvo dealerships or other automotive industry employers around the world.

For information about the DATE program at UNOH, visit https://www.unoh.edu/academics/college-of-applied-technologies/date-program.html

Category: Applied Technologies

Keywords: DATE, Mack, Volvo