FABCO/Caterpillar and Fox Valley Technical College held a dedication ceremony for the new FABTECH Education Center Oct. 5. The school is located at the S.J. Spanbauer & Industrial Center campus, 3601 Oregon Street in Oshkosh, Wis.

FABCO Equipment Inc., a Caterpillar equipment, engine and generator dealer with 23 locations throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, entered into a new partnership with Appleton, Wis.-based Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC). The two organizations have teamed-up to create FABTECH, a service technician education center.

FABTECH offers a certificate series of courses focused on developing entry level Caterpillar engine, construction equipment, electric power generation and marine engine service technicians. The partnership features hands-on training from experienced FVTC instructors supplemented with expert FABCO/Caterpillar technical trainers. Students work on current model Caterpillar equipment, engines and generators using the latest tools and advanced diagnostic technology. Certificate series credits can be applied toward an Associate of Applied Science degree.

FABTECH provides one-year training programs with a concentrated four-day a week schedule. This program cuts tuition costs because most similar programs take two years to complete.

Uniforms, tools and course materials are provided for students as part of the training. Dormitory housing and meal program options are available through the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Fox Valley Technical college offers more than 80 associate degree and diploma programs, nearly 120 specialized certificates and instruction related to 20 apprenticeship trades, in addition to providing services to business and industry.

For more information, visit www.fabco.com or www.fvtc.edu.