Photo: Dr. Nancy Sweet, dean, LLCC Workforce Institute; John Walters, aftermarket product manager, Deere and Company; Dr. Jason Dockter, interim vice president, LLCC academic services; Dr. Charlotte Warren, LLCC president; Jeff Gardner, program director, LLCC diesel technologies; Josh Collins, assistant vice president, LLCC business relations; Todd Crowley, corporate service manager, Prairie State Tractor; Karen Sanders, vice president, LLCC advancement and executive director, LLCC Foundation

John Deere Reman has donated a significant amount of machine components to be used as training aids in the new LLCC diesel technologies program.

“We can’t thank Deere and Company enough for this generous donation,” said Jeff Gardner, program director, LLCC diesel technologies. “The components will be put to use training the next generation of technicians when the diesel technologies program kicks off this fall. This donation would not have been possible without the cooperation of Deere and Company, Prairie State Tractor and Martin Equipment.”

LLCC diesel technologies is a two-year, associate degree program training students for well-paying jobs in the diesel industry. “The lack of trained technicians has reached a crisis level both locally and nationally,” said Gardner. “This severe lack of workers is leading to higher wage offers.”

John Walters, aftermarket product manager, Deere and Company World Headquarters in Moline, coordinated the donation. “It is a thrill to partner with Todd Crowley from Prairie State Tractor to identify and distribute the parts, components and training aids necessary to fuel the Diesel Technologies program at LLCC. Being included in the vision for the incoming students is both exciting and humbling. Thank you for the opportunity to see our John Deere Higher Purpose in action, to support, train, influence and educate the next generation of employees.”

Todd Crowley, corporate service manager, Prairie State Tractor, noted, “We have opportunities to help schools like LLCC who don’t need perfectly running engines — they need engines that will rotate and can be torn down. In fact, failed engines, transmissions, axles and other parts are best, because the students are forced to find the `why’ in failures.”

Rob Garlish, branch manager, Martin Equipment in Springfield, arranged the trucking of components from Springfield, Mo. to Springfield, Ill.

LLCC’s diesel technologies program combines classroom and hands-on learning experiences to train students to diagnose, service and repair diesel powered equipment. More information is available at www.llcc.edu/diesel-technologies.