Yancey Brothers donates diesel engines to Albany Technical College

ALBANY — Yancey Brothers Caterpillar on Thursday donated equipment to Albany Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program during a presentation to the Albany Tech Foundation.

Six pieces of equipment were donated.

The items, all used, included include two Caterpillar engines, one Cummins engine, one complete steering axle/differential group from a Telescopic Handler, which is a rough terrain forklift, and one complete Hydraulic, which comes with a hydraulic motor.

“The purpose of these donations is to help bring Albany Tech move closer to the business community they serve by providing equipment that will provide practical training,” Yancey Corporate Training Manager Jim Larson said. “The instructors will be able to put problems into in the engines and let the students have practical training on the equipment.”

Several Albany Tech diesel students have been interviewed by Yancey associates in the Albany Tech Career Development Center for potential apprenticeship positions. The addition of the equipment to the program labs will allow these and other students to train on equipment being used by the company.

“These equipment donations will give the Albany Tech’s Diesel Technology program students the opportunity to train on equipment that is currently being used by Caterpillar in their service area,” Willie Walker, chair of the Diesel Equipment Technology program at Albany Tech, said. “This will benefit our graduates with technical training on current engines and equipment, which will make an easier transition into the workplace.”

Larson said that, as an employer, Yancey will be able to cut down on training time with new employees who already have trained on their equipment — many after serving apprenticeships with the company while still in school.

“We view this relationship as a win for all parties involved – Yancey Brothers, our students and the community,” said Emmett Griswold, dean of Academic Affairs for the Carlton Construction Academy. “We are fortunate to have employers such as Yancey Brothers in our community that are willing to partner with us on supplying the workforce needs within our region.”