The Dehryl A. Dennis Professional-Technical Education Center in Boise, Idaho, became the first secondary school in the U.S. to achieve status as an AED Recognized Secondary School for its heavy diesel technology program in late October. The award culminated a five-year certification process led by Dennis Center faculty, industry advisors and Idaho State University College of Technology.
Dennis Centers Heavy Duty Diesel Technology Program offers courses that are tied directly to industry standards, said Steve Johnson, executive director of the AED Foundation.
Ron Martinez, a Dennis Center instructor recognized the significance for students. The AED program means more opportunities for our students because they will graduate from our program with more knowledge and be better prepared to transition smoothly into an AED accredited college here in Idaho and across the United States, said Martinez.
Johnson acknowledged the inevitability of a shortage of heavy duty diesel technology technicians when the economy rebounds. It is imperative to get students interested in these types of careers to be able to meet industrys demands for these skilled technicians, added Johnson.
The AED Foundations goal is to have 1,200 quality technicians entering the workforce annually, nationwide. Currently, more than 500 students are graduating from AED Accredited or Education Alliance college technical programs each year.
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