Floyd’s Truck Center, out of Scottsbluff, Neb., continues to have a strong partnership with the Northeastern Junior College Diesel Technology Program.
The company pays regular visits to the program, including one earlier this month, to talk to students about career opportunities. Plus, they have also donated trucks and equipment to the program thanks to the efforts of Sid Johnston. Donations have included a 2011 M2 S114 heavy duty truck with 6,000 miles on a Detroit DD13 engine and a frame mock up for a 2017 Freightliner Cascadia concept truck with a Detroit DD15 diesel engine.
Floyd’s has sponsored NJC’s program since 2014 and gives the college access to everything Freightliner dealerships have, including Diagnostic Link 8 service information, Get Ahead online training and DTNA Connect.
NJC students are able to earn Freightliner certifications on all truck systems, including Detroit Diesel Engines and Mercedes. According to Jimmy Atencio, coordinator of NJC’s diesel program, some students have as many as 75 certificates.
Additionally, Atencio has been able to go to Chicago and Portland, Ore., for training at Daimler North America, to keep up in the latest trucking technology.
In the last two years Floyd’s Truck Center has awarded over $6,000 from the Brian H Memorial Scholarships to NJC diesel students, along with apprenticeships. Recipients include Cortland Griebel, Robert Stratton and Dylan Nolde.
As of March 2021, Northeastern Diesel Technology ranks nationwide 54th out of 261 schools sponsored by Freightliner.
“This partnership has proven to be invaluable when it comes to giving committed students success in a diesel technology career,” Atencio said.
In addition to completing their regular class work, NJC’s Diesel Power Club is also gearing up for its fifth annual Mudd Evil Dayz. Race day is Saturday, May 1, at the Logan County Fairgrounds, in conjunction with the Sportsman Experience, which runs April 30-May 1. Gates open at 8 a.m. and the competition starts at 1 p.m.
Cost is free for ages 14 and under, $5 for an all event day pass and $8 for a weekend pass. NJC students receive a $2 discount on passes. All spectators must sign a waiver. To purchase tickets, go to https://bit.ly/3ccloOO.