HUNTERSVILLE – Central Piedmont Community College’s Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology Department has partnered with Carolina Tractor, the Caterpillar deal for western North Carolina, to establish the Carolina CAT Service Technician Program at the school’s north campus in Huntersville. To show its support for the program, the company presented the school with a $20,000 check to provide scholarships for the program.

“This new 12-month program will blend Carolina Tractor’s industry techniques with CPCC’s state-of-the-art facilities to create a unique learning experience for students,” said the school’s president Tony Zeiss. “Upon completion of the program, students will earn a curriculum diploma and be prepared to enter the workforce as an entry-level service technician in just 12 months.”

Program features include: courses focused on heavy equipment sold and serviced by Carolina Tractor, hands-on activities that include training on Caterpillar and allied equipment, classes led by the school’s faculty and Caterpillar technical trainers and an eight-week cooperative education experience with Carolina CAT.

“We’re excited about this new partnership with CPCC,” said Ed Weisiger, Jr., president and CEO for Carolina CAT. “Not only will students learn industry-leading techniques from our highly qualified trainers, but they will also be given the opportunity to participate in an eight-week cooperative education experience with Carolina Tractor that will give them the real world experience they need to be successful in the heavy equipment industry.

The new program begins in August 2011. Those interested in beginning the application process may visit www.cpcc.edu and search “heavy equipment.