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Caterpillar partners with BIC to offer customized training

UA-PTC Business and Industry Center’s Machine Repair Technician program partnered with Caterpillar’s Apprenticeship program to create an 18-week, 144-hour course customized for Caterpillar employees.

In December, 2022, six Caterpillar employees undertook four major areas of coursework: Math for the Workplace; Electronic Principles and Troubleshooting; Fluid Power; and Pneumatics. Students participated in both classroom lectures and hands-on exercises. In April, 2023, eight Caterpillar employees completed a 96-hour Assembly Upskilling program.

“Our partnership with Pulaski Tech’s Business and Industry Center has been great for our facility,” said Caterpillar Facility Talent Development Supervisor Aimee Jameson. “Their ability to quickly create programs that meet our specific needs has been fantastic. The partnership has helped us upskill our employees in a classroom setting in order to meet their needs and those of our customers.”

“The Caterpillar and UA-PTC Business and Industry partnership is beneficial for all involved,” added UA – Pulaski Tech Chancellor Summer DeProw. “Our faculty and staff benefit from the collaboration and the opportunity to develop customized training. Caterpillar benefits by receiving excellent, timely, and cost-effective training for specific challenges within the production process. I am grateful for the partnership and look forward to our continued partnership with Caterpillar and other companies in Central Arkansas.”

December 2022 Graduates: Front, L to R: Angela Kim (Factory Manager), Grace Sandlin (UA-PTC Outreach Coordinator), Darian Baker (Machine Repair Tech), Kris Heyer (HR Manager), Aimee Jameson (Talent Development Supervisor), Rhea Sidon-Branham (Training Team Lead). Back, L to R: Chris Hietzmann (Facility Manager), Nicky Barkowsky (Machine Repair Tech), Jeremy Pike (Machine Repair Tech), Andrew Sheen (Machine Repair Tech), Ken Hamilton (Machine Repair Tech), Shaun Everest (UA-PTC Instructor), Sharon Cantrell (UA-PTC Director of Workforce Development)

April 2023 Graduates: Front, L to R: Mauricio Cabrera (Trainer), Robert Petit (Assembler), Dr. Angela Kremers (UA-PTC Dean of Technical and Professional Studies), Amanda Parker (Assembler), Aimee Jameson (Talent Development Supervisor), Michael Atwood-DiBlasi (Assembler), Sharon Cantrell (UA-PTC Director of Workforce Development). Back, L to R: Clark Cooper (Assembler), Seneca Nolen (Quality Auditor), Shaun Everest (UA-PTC Faculty), Shay Warren (Quality Auditor), Cat Morris (Assembler), Chris Heitzmann (Facility Manager)