Last week, the Auto/Diesel Institute (ADI) of Owosso hosted a Career Fair and Tool Show to link students and employers for internships and employment opportunities. The Open House culminated with a generous donation by Detroit Diesel of a 2015 DD-15 engine worth $35,000 to enable engine-specific technical training for students.
Robert Ellsworth, Program Director of Diesel Technologies, noted how significant this donation is not only for students, but for the ADI as well. “In the past, we would spend thousands of dollars on diesel engines that are 5-10 years old and generally not in running condition. With this donation, our students will be exposed to the most up to date engine technology available and will allow us to utilize budgeted funds in other areas.”
ADI alumnus and Sr. Service Engineer for Detroit Diesel, Tony Sleeper, credits his current success to the education he received at ADI and was eager to provide students with an opportunity to learn on the latest equipment available. “I graduated from ADI and worked as a diesel tech for 2 years afterwards. My training and experience I gained is what helped me get to where I am now with Detroit Diesel.”
“The engine donated is a 2015 model that has all of the major changes and upgrades that have been done to Detroit Diesel engines,” Sleeper noted. “This will help current students learn some of the new technologies currently in the field so they already have a good understanding of them when they graduate.”
The engine will be housed at the ADI in Owosso and will stay relevant for future students for years to come.