April 11 Meet and Greet Opens Doors for Women Interested in Diesel Technology program

Hanceville, AL — Wallace State Community College’s Diesel Technology program is hosting a Women in Diesel Meet and Greet on Thursday, April 11, aimed at women interested in learning more about the program and the high-demand career opportunities available to them. The event will take place in the Diesel Technology shop from 5 to 7 p.m.

Attendees will be able to tour the facility, apply for classes and financial aid and meet with instructors and students in the Diesel Technology program.

Briana Morgan is a new lab assistant in the Diesel Technology program and a Wallace State alumna. She will be present to meet with attendees and share her experiences working in the field with different companies and how the Diesel Technology program at Wallace State impacted her career. 

Apryl Emmons, Service Manager at Southland Transportation Group, will also be on hand to talk with attendees about potential career opportunities in the area. 

The Women in Diesel initiative aims to increase the number of women and adult learners in diesel technology training. Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, Wallace State has partnered with the National Institute of Women in Trades, Technology, and Sciences to diversify the student body of the Diesel Technology program. This collaboration seeks to provide more opportunities for women and other underrepresented adult learner populations in the diesel technology field.

“Alabama's trucking industry needs the best and brightest to keep our technologically advanced fleet working safely on the roads,” said Mark Colson, President and CEO Alabama Trucking Association. “The best and the brightest are often women and they now have a designated pathway to becoming a diesel tech: the Wallace State Hanceville Diesel Technology program. It's the best route for women to join the team that keeps Alabama moving forward.”

At Wallace State Community College, women can learn the skills required to join the workforce in just four semesters. The program allows for a more flexible schedule and provides a distance learning option to better accommodate those that may be occupied during normal working hours. At the conclusion of the degree program, women will leave as certified Diesel Technicians after graduation.

For people who are interested in the field of diesel technology, but not entirely sure if is the right choice for them, Diesel by Distance coordinator Anna Beard said the Women in Diesel Meet and Greet is a great opportunity for prospective students to meet current students and faculty members and ask their own personal questions about the industry. 

“There are many different career avenues within the diesel industry and to hear about it first-hand from other students and technicians is a good opportunity for someone who thinks they might be interested but aren’t 100 percent sure yet,” said Beard. “We have a variety of learners in the Diesel Technology program including male, female, dual enrollment, traditional and adult learners looking to upskill or seeking a career change.”

While the Women in Diesel Meet and Greet is geared mainly toward introducing women to the field of diesel mechanics, the event is open to anybody who wishes to learn more about the Diesel Technology program at Wallace State Community College. 

Wallace State offers a hybrid option of the Diesel Technology program called Diesel by Distance, which enables students to complete their work online and attend labs at night or on weekends. Students enrolled in either option of the program can choose to attend classes either full-time or part-time. Both program options are Dual 2 Degree eligible, allowing students to take courses through WSCC which count towards high school requirements and college credit for a future degree. 

Other highlights about the program and career:

• 95 percent of graduates with a Diesel Technology degree go on to work in positions with a starting pay of $16 to $24/hour. Master technicians can make up to $100,000
• Employer demand is so high that current Wallace State Diesel Technology students are receiving job offers before they complete their degree
• Coursework ranges from four months to 2 years, with day, evening and weekend classes available
• Scholarships and financial aid are available to pay for most student's tuition
• No diesel technology experience required

To sign up for the April 11 meet and greet, visit www.wallacestate.edu/womenindieselinfo and fill out the form to confirm your registration for the event. For more information, contact Beard at 256.352.8356 or anna.parrish@wallacestate.edu.

For more information about the Diesel Technology program, visit www.wallacestate.edu/diesel or call 256.352.8063.