BRENTWOOD CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
Steel Center Spotlight, Medium / Heavy Truck( Diesel Mechanics) Mr. Olexa
One of the courses that is growing and is in high demand for jobs in Western Pennsylvania is the Medium / Heavy Truck( Diesel Mechanics) program of studies offered at Steel Center for Career and Technical Education. There has been an increase in the demand for diesel mechanics in the area with the increase in the drilling industry. There are also endless career options in the trucking / bussing industry and working with heavy equipment. Steel Center for Career and Technical Education describes this program as,“ A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the specialized maintenance and repair of trucks, buses, and other commercial and industrial vehicles. This includes instruction in diesel engine mechanics, suspension and steering, brake systems, electrical and electronic systems, preventive maintenance inspections, drive trains, HVAC systems, and auxiliary equipment installation and repair.” It is a very comprehensive program that gives students skills that transfer to jobs in the area.
One Brentwood High School senior, Jared Lukens has proved how this program can help to form career options and open doors for opportunities. Jared has been enrolled in the Medium / Heavy Truck( Diesel Mechanics) program for three years. He has a passion for diesel mechanics and he is very good at what he does, especially for being a high school senior. Jared just finished in first place in the Skills USA District Competition for Diesel Equipment Technology. He had to complete a compression test on a 4BT diesel engine, do a driveline axel repair, implement an engine diagnostic test and do a brake check. His performance was timed in all of these tests and evaluated by judges. His first place finish has earned him the right to compete in the state competition in Hershey, PA this spring.
Jared really enjoys the program at Steel Center for Career and Technical Education and feels that it has prepared him for his future career. He enjoys the custom projects that he has worked on like building a twelve valve Cummins motor, building a pulling truck and rock crawling motor. Jared stated that the Cummins 4BT motor that he has been working on is rated to push 500 horsepower. Jared strongly believes that the program
Photos by Scott Kane, Advertising and Design, Steel Center
curriculum and the hands on experience has prepared him for his career.
Jared also enlisted in the United States Army with the ambition of being a diesel mechanic in the military. He completed his basic training at the end of his junior year in the summer of 2017, and is currently serving in the reserves while he finishes high school. He has been accepted to the University of Northwestern Ohio for diesel mechanics. Jared said that the combination of Steel Center for Career and Technical Education, his enlistment in the US Army and his college option have opened doors for him as far as where and how he will use his education. He has the options of going into private industry or pursuing career options within the military. Either way Jared has a plan in place that will secure him employment and stability for his future. Jared is just one exemplary example of what career options are available at Steel Center for Career and Technical Education. rentwood Borough
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL ❘ SPRING 2018 57