South Platte, Colorado Diesel tech produces big results

By NJC staff

In today’s world automotive and diesel technicians are in high demand with strong wages in vehicle manufacturing facilities, oil fields, state and federal agencies, military-civilian and fleet maintenance, small-town shops and corporate dealerships.

So where do these highly sought technicians come from? Companies who care about quality seek out those who have earned their education through a certified Career Technical Education (CTE) program. One set of standout CTE programs resides in Sterling, Colo. at Northeastern Junior College.

Colorado’s unassuming, rural landscape is sitting on a treasure trove of automotive expertise. Far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, Northeastern hosts two highly accredited technician programs for automotive and diesel technicians. These programs provide the backbone and workforce to keep those same far-away cities buzzing.

Layton Peterman and Jimmy Atencio, two of the best educators in the industry, instruct and train future technicians at Northeastern. Peterman is also the diesel discipline chair for the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), and is responsible for keeping the auto and diesel core curriculum updated to current ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) education standards. His hard work ensures that all Colorado programs can meet ASE education curriculum standards. Peterman and Atencio together have more than 50 years of experience in the auto and diesel industry, with more than 20 of those years training the technicians that work in our towns and cities.

Peterman and Atencio have the added benefit of overseeing dual training certifications for those wishing to earn an auto-diesel master technician (ADMT) certificate, which allows students to receive the best of both programs at Northeastern. Students must first earn either the Automotive Technology or the Diesel Technology Associate of Applied Science degree in the first two years, then earn an additional 20 credit hours, dependent on what benefits the students’ knowledge, preferences and skill sets. Both programs hold students to the highest of standards, utilizing top-notch equipment and providing students a challenging work environment with hands-on learning opportunities.

Ronnie Pearlman, a 2007 graduate of Northeastern Junior College’s automotive technician program, is now employed with Waste Management thanks to her education from Northeastern. Her daily job is to keep service equipment functional and running well to stay on the road.

“Mr. Peterman changed my life. Not only did he give me the knowledge to succeed in my career, but also taught me work ethic, discipline, and the kind of person I strive to be.

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What sets him apart from most automotive technology teachers is that he doesn’t just teach what’s in the book, he prepares his students for what the industry is really like. I truly believe I would not have made it this far if I didn’t receive the kind of education and experiences that I got from NJC’s Auto Tech program.”

So, what does the student get out of the Northeastern auto/diesel experience? If you ask Layton Peterman, it’s simple. “They’re embarking on a challenge that is going to change their life for the better while also getting the biggest bang for their buck. They’re also going to get a real-life feel of what it means to go to work day in and day out. For two years we’re going to ask them to do things they had no idea they were capable of, and when it’s over they’re going to walk out of these doors with a promising career and a positive outlook on life. I always look back and think, ‘Man these kids are really doing something special at such a young age.’”———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

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