NEW HOLLAND AGRICULTURE DONATES $75,000 IN EQUIPMENT TO HODDE CENTER
Thanks to New Holland Agriculture, Blinn College’s A.W. Hodde, Jr. Technical Education Center has taken a sizeable first step toward introducing a new diesel technology program.
New Holland donated $73,640 in equipment, including four diesel engines valued at $16,660 apiece.
New Holland became aware of Blinn’s interest in starting a diesel technology program while renting classroom and lab space at the Hodde Center to train their regional technicians.
“It’s a real sign of partnership between industry and education,” said Megan Costanza, dean of Workforce Education. “It’s a sign that they’re happy being here and they’re happy with what we’re doing. There’s nothing more important to what we’re doing than industry being happy with our training and with our product because we want them to hire our students.”
In addition to the diesel engines, New Holland donated a five-foot tool chest complete with tools for repairing and maintaining diesel engines. New Holland had used the tools as props for their booth at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
“Getting the capital equipment you need is sometimes one of the hardest parts of starting a new program, and they have helped us get over that hurdle,” Costanza said.
Earlier this month, Blinn pledged a total of $100,000, including $50,000 in funding and $50,000 in equipment, to be included as part of local efforts to match federal grant funds in an application led by the Brenham Economic Development Foundation (EDF). If efforts are successful, up to $1.5 million in funds from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s 2015 Economic Development Assistance Programs could be used to fund a new workforce and technical training center beside the Hodde Center.
If the grant is successful, the new technical training center would house the proposed diesel technology program, and the new program would train students to maintain and repair diesel engines – skills in high demand in the oil and gas, construction, transportation and agricultural industries. With expanded facilities, Blinn could offer both certificate and associate degree programs.
“One of the best things about these skills is that they aren’t dependent on just one industry,” Costanza said. “Once you’ve completed the training, you could work in a variety of industries.”
New Holland Agriculture and New Holland Construction sell and service an innovative line of agricultural and construction equipment, including a full line of tractors, hay and forage equipment, harvesting, crop production, skid steer and compact track loaders, compact wheel loaders, tractor backhoe loaders and mini excavators. Sales, parts and service are provided by more than 1,000 New Holland dealers throughout North America.
The 12,000-square foot Hodde Center was built in 2009 to provide local training for a quality, viable workforce in Washington and the surrounding communities. As part of Blinn’s Division of Workforce Education, its staff works in cooperation with local businesses to provide a well-trained workforce that strengthens the local economy. For more information on the Hodde Center and its course offerings, call 979-830-4443 or visit: www.blinn.edu/blinntec.
