New “teaching units” for HET apprentices
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December 11, 2018
Lakeland’s heavy equipment technician (HET) apprentices have new tools to learn with: two 2013 Peterbilt semi-trucks.
“We will do everything with these,” says instructor Marcel Lefebvre. “These trucks are teaching units – all of our trucks in our fleet are teaching trucks.”
Purchased to replace older models in the trades and technology fleet, Lefebvre says the new vehicles feature fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly engines, including Paccar and Cummins engines, and are valuable investments for both the college and students.
“It’s 100 per cent important that we keep pace with industry to ensure our students get the best that they can get to learn with,” he says. “The plan is to continue to build our fleet.”
From air conditioning to electronics, to wheel alignments, steering and brake systems, suspension systems and more, every part of the new Peterbilts will be part of the HET apprentices’ education.
“Every period there are different things that we teach, but there is always something we will be using on the trucks no matter what period we are teaching,” says Lefebvre. “Everything in these trucks will be used for training. That's the advantage of this, you don't have to buy a simulator when you have it.”
The HET apprenticeship program is four years, including an eight-week technical training period and a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training each year.
Purchased to replace older models in the trades and technology fleet, Lefebvre says the new vehicles feature fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly engines, including Paccar and Cummins engines, and are valuable investments for both the college and students.
“It’s 100 per cent important that we keep pace with industry to ensure our students get the best that they can get to learn with,” he says. “The plan is to continue to build our fleet.”
From air conditioning to electronics, to wheel alignments, steering and brake systems, suspension systems and more, every part of the new Peterbilts will be part of the HET apprentices’ education.
“Every period there are different things that we teach, but there is always something we will be using on the trucks no matter what period we are teaching,” says Lefebvre. “Everything in these trucks will be used for training. That's the advantage of this, you don't have to buy a simulator when you have it.”
The HET apprenticeship program is four years, including an eight-week technical training period and a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training each year.
Photos: In fall 2018, 56 HET apprentices used the new vehicles during their technical training period.