Transportation Maintenance Council Gives Diesel Students Tool Boxes
Published: January 6, 2017
Hunter Byrd of Cleveland also received a $10,000 scholarship.
The North Carolina Transportation Maintenance Council recently awarded tool boxes, tool sets, and other prizes valued at nearly $12,000 to 21 students in the diesel and heavy equipment program at Johnston Community College. Also, the council presented a $10,000 scholarship to Hunter Byrd, a Cleveland High graduate and current student in the diesel and heavy equipment technology program.
Part of the council's "Tools for Techs" initiative, the tool kits help offset some of the expenses associated with a career as a diesel technician and help make recipients more employable after graduation.
"Students enrolled in the diesel program need to not only receive a good education to be prepared for their career, they must also invest in the proper tools to be able to perform their job," said instructor Billy Phillips. "The transportation vehicle maintenance industry has confirmed their support in helping these future technicians accomplish their goals through the donations which were awarded. We now have 21 students who are much better prepared to tackle a challenging career, and we very much appreciate the industry support."
The students received the tool kits and prizes and Byrd was awarded the scholarship during a ceremony on Dec. 13.
The goal of the NCTMC is to promote professional maintenance practices, new technologies, products and processes to improve maintenance practices and network with suppliers and peers in the industry.
The council has previously awarded two student scholarships but Byrd is the first JCC recipient. Four Johnston County high school students and one Wayne County high school student applied for the award.
Cut line: Top photo: Pictured from left are Hunter Byrd, "Tools for Techs" tool box and NCTMC scholarship recipient; Terry Callaway, chair of the NCTMC Board of Directors; and Billy Phillips, NCTMC Board of Directors vice-chair and JCC diesel and heavy equipment technology instructor. Second photo: Twenty-one diesel and heavy equipment technology students at JCC received tool kits from the North Carolina Transportation Maintenance Council, a gift valued at some $12,000.