Butler Responds to Industry Request for Diesel Technology Program

EL DORADO, Kan. – Area companies like Dustrol Inc., Jets Diesel, Murphy Tractor and Equipment, Satchell Creek Express, Foley Tractor Company, Freightliner Truck Center Companies – Wichita, and Wildcat Construction have all worked with Butler Community College to establish a new Diesel Technology program.

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the program during their June board meeting. An Associates of Applied Science degree will now be offered beginning in August with the Diesel specific courses being taught on the El Dorado Campus.

The Technical Education Authority, under the auspices of the Kansas Board of Regents, approved the program in May and congratulated Butler for providing this much needed training in South Central Kansas.

Butler’s program will prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills for specialized maintenance and repair of trucks, buses, and other commercial and industrial vehicles. The Diesel program extends out of Butler’s industry-recognized Automotive Technology program and will seek accreditation from the same agency currently accrediting Auto Tech – the ASE Education Foundation. Diesel Tech will also seek accreditation through the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED).

In support of the program, Foley Tractor donated a 9-liter diesel engine and transmission to enhance hands-on learning. Wildcat Diesel also has committed to equipment donations and both companies are offering student internship opportunities.  

In a letter of support for the program, Jesse Newman, owner of Jets Diesel in El Dorado, wrote “Our company stands ready to provide support to Butler Community College for this program. We would like to be active in the success of this program offering donations/sponsorships, equipment, diesel career shadowing, facility tours, full-time job placement opportunities for graduates as well as knowledge in any form that would be of use.” Newman has also agreed to serve on the college’s new Diesel Technology Advisory Committee.

Butler’s Industry partners will continue to work with the college through the advisory committee to help ensure the curriculum offered and the skills gained by students are those most needed by industry.

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Butler Community College, an Aspen Institute Top 150 U.S. Community College with nearly 9,000 students, offers nearly 85 degree programs and 30 professional certification programs. The college’s main campus is in El Dorado, but it has centers in five other communities. For more information about Butler, visit www.butlercc.edu, on Facebook and Twitter (@butlercc)