Western Technical College

  Recently, the Automotive Technology Program hosted the Dana-Road Ranger technical Hybrid
update training during the month of September, at the eastside main campus.  The Roadranger System is
an unbeatable combination of the best products from Eaton, Dana and other trusted partners. Dana
Holding Corporation is a world leader in the supply of axles; driveshaft’s; and structural, sealing, and
thermal-management products; as well as genuine service parts. The company's customer base includes
virtually every major vehicle manufacturer in the global automotive, commercial vehicle, and off-
highway markets.

  The training took place in the Industry Room for two days.  Albert Garcia, Automotive
Supervisor at Western Technical College (WTC), says that Dana/Road Ranger holds their training at
Western Tech because of the latest equipment technology that the college has to offer. He adds that the
technology at WTC either matches, or, in most cases, exceeds the technology that major dealerships like
Dana/ Road Ranger have at their own facilities, which is why the corporation often takes advantage of the
facilities.  The gain is not completely one sided, however; WTC receives the great benefit of the training
for their own instructors. As Dana/ Road Rangers focus was on training their employees about diesel
hybrids, WTC Automotive Instructor, Mr. Jorge Linan also sat in on the training.   

  Garcia says it is important to have this training because the industry is moving away from a
dependence on oil and going towards hybrid technologies, and it’s important for WTC to be at the
forefront of the technology as not many people employed in the industry, now, have the knowledge and
training to work on and maintain hybrid vehicles. He adds that WTC has a close relationship with Dana/
Road Ranger and keeping each other up to date on hybrid training and with a growing and evolving
technology is on the forefront of the relationship.  Dana/ Road Ranger also employees several WTC
graduates, so it is quite a symbiotic relationship.   

  WTC will be hosting more automotive training sessions in the near future, and Jesus Rodriguez,
Diesel Technology Supervisor, says “it is just another way for WTC to give back to the community”.  As
WTC keeps up with changing industry standards such as the recent diesel hybrid training with Dana/
Road Ranger Co., the college is also concerned about the implications on the community.  As students
and instructors have access to the most modern training, they will ultimately be using that knowledge to
fix and maintain our own present and future vehicles.