Purchase made possible by Minnesota State Leveraged Equipment program
The Heavy Construction Equipment Technology (HCET) program at Dakota County Technical College recently purchased a brand-new John Deere 310SL HL backhoe loader from the RDO Equipment Co. at the company’s location in Burnsville, Minnesota.
A training boon for students in the HCET program, the backhoe loader represents a strong partnership between DCTC and RDO as well as a successful application of the Minnesota State Leveraged Equipment program.
Leveraged Equipment program funds provide resources to acquire state-of-the-art equipment for students training in fields crucial to economic growth. The program helps colleges and universities build long-term partnerships with local communities as well as employers in high-demand sectors.
“RDO is committed to training operators and technicians who will be the workforce of the future,” said Scott Weness, RDO Burnsville sales manager. “We value our longstanding partnership with DCTC. We’ve hired a lot of the college’s graduates.”
Joel Fogarty, HCET faculty, reported that the John Deere 310SL HL backhoe loader is the type of top-of-the-line equipment his students need to keep up with constantly evolving training requirements.
“The Leveraged Equipment program not only strengthens our ties with industry partners like RDO, but also gives our students the best possible learning environment with the most modern training opportunities,” Fogarty said. “We are very fortunate to acquire our new John Deere.”
More about RDO…
Founded in 1968 in Casselton, North Dakota, RDO Equipment Co. is a family owned and operated business with more than 75 dealerships in 10 states. RDO provides expert sales and service with a focus on agriculture, construction, the environment, tree care, machine control, water and more. Dealerships sell top-brand equipment, including John Deere, Vermeer, Hitachi and Topcon. The company also operates overseas with multiple locations in Russia, Australia and Ukraine.
(left to right) HCET Instructor Roger Gartner, RDO Sales Professional Tim Thompson, RDO Sales Manager Scott Weness, HCET Instructor Joel Fogarty
Roger Gartner, HCET faculty, noted that the Heavy Construction Equipment Technology program area was recently fully renovated thanks to Phase II A of the 2014 Transportation and Emerging Technologies $7.6 million Phase II capital bonding request.
“We are very happy with the results of the renovation,” Gartner said. “The area has much brighter lighting and a far more convenient layout. Our students have benefited tremendously from the bonding project.”
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Wage
This career pays above the statewide median wage of $18.88.
Minnesota
Median: $26.42/hour
High: $29.66/hourSeven-county Minneapolis/St. Paul metro
Median: $27.23/hour
High: $31.03/hourOutlook
This career is currently in high demand.
Future Demand
This career is high growth compared to other careers. There will be a need for about 1,160 new Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics to meet market demand between 2014–2024. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
— CareerWISE Minnesota
Josh Thill of Forest Lake, MN, and Cody Adomat of Prior Lake, MN, HCET students and RDO interns; they are freshmen earning their A.A.S. degrees
More HCET news…
Roger Gartner, Jeremy Hall, Mitch Hannover, Joel Fogarty
Two HCET students receive mikeroweWORKS Foundation $1,000 scholarships
Jeremy Hall and Mitch Hannover, students in the Heavy Construction Equipment Technology program at Dakota County Technical College, each received a $1,000 scholarship from the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, a public charity that rewards students seeking training for skilled jobs in high-demand fields. Foundation CEO Mike Rowe strives to diminish the nationwide skills gap through support of technical education and individuals focused on earning two-year associate degrees and directly entering the workforce.
“We awarded the scholarship based on GPA,” said Scott Determan, DCTC dean of transportation, industry and IT. “We wish to thank Mike Rowe for his support for technical education.”
Mitch Hannover
Mitch Hannover
- Sophomore earning HCET A.A.S. degree
- Age: 24
- Owatonna Senior High School | Class of 2011
- Hometown: Owatonna, Minnesota
- Current home: Kenyon, Minnesota
- mikeroweWORKS Foundation Scholarship: $1,000
- Career plans: Mitch has worked as a heavy equipment mechanic at Ames Construction in Burnsville, Minnesota, for two years. He enjoys the work and plans on continuing his career at Ames after earning his HCET A.A.S. degree.
Why did you choose DCTC?
I liked the Heavy Construction Equipment Technology program and the college is close to my home.
What do you like best about the HCET program?
The program offers in-depth training in hydraulics and electronics.
Favorite heavy equipment: CAT D10T2 Dozer
Mitch Hannover…
Jeremy Hall
Jeremy Hall
- Sophomore earning HCET A.A.S. degree
- Age: 35
- Fergus Falls High School | Class of 2000
- Hometown: Fergus Falls, Minnesota
- Current home: Apple Valley, Minnesota
- mikeroweWORKS Foundation Scholarship: $1,000
- Career plans: Jeremy works as a heavy equipment mechanic at Ziegler CAT in Bloomington, Minnesota. He started at Ziegler on internship through the HCET program. He is looking forward to continuing at Ziegler after earning his HCET A.A.S. degree. His long-range goals are focused on moving up to management.
Why did you choose DCTC?
The college has the program I needed and the campus is close to my home in Apple Valley.
What do you like best about the HCET program?
The program has good partnerships with big industry. I like the CAT online training—those skills transfer directly to my job.
Favorite heavy equipment: CAT 992 Wheel Loader
Jeremy Hall…
To learn more about the Heavy Construction Equipment Technology program at DCTC, contact:
Joel Fogarty
HCET Faculty
651-423-8481
For more information about the DCTC Foundation, contact:
Michelle Boe
Executive Director of DCTC Foundation
651-423-8236
Amy Eppen
Foundation Assistant Director
651-423-8265
