More than 30 students from three Atlanta-area colleges and technical schools attended an event at Komatsu America's customer center training site in Cartersville, GA to learn about construction-related jobs. Hosted by Komatsu America and local distributors Tractor & Equipment Co., Linder Industrial Machinery Co., Brandeis Machinery, and Power Equipment Co., the students learned how to operate select Komatsu machines including bulldozers, excavators, wheel loaders, and dump trucks.
The purpose of the event was so that students from Chattahoochee Technical College, Reinhardt University, and Kennesaw State University could learn about the work life of construction and mining employees. Strapping on hardhats, the students climbed inside 20-ft., 200,000 lb. machines, and received hands-on training for state-of-the-art construction equipment. They also learned about current and future job opportunities.
“It’s so important to do all we can to attract top talent to the industry,” said Tom Suess, director, training and publications for Komatsu America. “Komatsu and our local distributors jumped at the chance to host these students and their school administrators. I think we opened the eyes of some students today about how technologically and globally focused the industry is, and how bright a future they can have if they pursue a career in this field.”
"I had never operated equipment before coming out here," said Chattahoochee Tech student Chandler Firestine. "It's been an awesome experience being able to really get inside one of the machines and see how they work mechanically…..especially being a diesel tech. I would love to come out here again and do it if I could," Firestine said.
For more information about Komatsu America Corp., a U.S. subsidiary of Komatsu Ltd., visit www.komatsuamerica.com.
