Bellingham, Wash.-based Birch Equipment, which has extensive employee training programs in place, was recently asked by the advisory board for the Diesel Mechanics program at both Bellingham Technical College and Skagit Valley College to volunteer employees to join the board. Bruce Miner, shop manager, and Dean Parker, assistant shop manager, joined the advisory board committees to discuss industry trends in the diesel mechanics field.
The advisory boards are comprised of a cross-section from the industry, including the Diesel Mechanics instructors from both colleges. The boards discuss the current trends in the industry and offer advice and suggestions to better prepare students of the Diesel Mechanics program for job placement. The Board’s input is taken into consideration when preparing the curriculum for the program.
“The goal is to ultimately give the school feedback on what they can change to help provide for the industry; and what the industry is looking for,” said Parker, board member of Skagit Valley College.
“Birch recruits from both colleges and has had great success with internships from the Diesel Mechanics program rolling into full-time positions with Birch,” said Miner, who is in his second year on the Bellingham Technical College advisory board.
