Holt CAT Invests in High School’s Tech Skills Program

Holt CAT and Caterpillar, as part of the Dealer Excellence Fund, have made an investment of $8,800 to Dubiski Career High School in Grand Prairie, Texas, to support its technical skills program and the career development of technical students.

On Nov. 16, the Dallas WFAA’s Daybreak program featured Holt Cat Regional Service Manager Tony Spalding presenting the check to Grand Prarie Superintendent Susan Hull, and Jose Sanchez, a high school senior in the diesel technician training program at Dubiski High School.

Sanchez plans to get training to re-build diesel engines after completing high school. A number of Grand Prarie Independent School District representatives and Dubiski High School students were in attendance.

The Caterpillar Dealer Excellence Fund (est. 1989) is a program to strengthen curriculum and faculty development in technical schools and increase the pool of qualified service technicians.

“The goal of the Dealer Excellence Fund Program is to help schools develop state-of-the-art technical training programs,” said Shaun Manning, technical training director, Holt CAT Pro Tech.

“When a Cat dealer supports a school’s technical skills program by making a donation, the foundation matches it.” Therefore, the Caterpillar Foundation matched Holt’s original donation of $4,400 to produce a combined donation of $8,800

Rick Elmore, automotive program facilitator and instructor at Dubiski Career High School, detailed how the school plans to use this donation.

“The funds will be used for a hydraulic training system for the diesel mechanic program, which will help prepare students for entry-level positions in the heavy-duty equipment repair field. Hydraulic systems are extremely important and an integral component of construction/agricultural equipment.”

In addition to the investment, Holt’s CAT is currently interviewing Dubiski High School students for paid internship positions. The programs begins in December and eligible student interns will receive top level industry training and could qualify for the national safe tractor operator certification, which will help these young people develop a competitive edge in the market place.

Holt strongly supports the training and education of technical students and hopes to increase the pool of qualified technicians to meet industry needs for these specialized employees, according to the company.

The donated funds may be used for scholarships, faculty development, training aids and equipment. Dubiski Career High School was evaluated and selected based on the strength of its current infrastructure and program.