This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
RTD offers the opportunity to interview for a full-time position for students who attend and complete a Diesel Technology Training Course (DTECH) at Front Range Community College (FRCC). Courses are offered a few times per week in Denver.
The DTECH program provides students a straightforward career path in diesel tech work. The partnership between RTD and FRCC connects the diesel technology training with the burgeoning commuter industry.
"RTD came to us and said they had a need for workers," says Lynn Voster, director of workplace solutions at FRCC. Two of the four FRCC campuses already have automotive classes. Voster and program staff looked at how to efficiently lead the automotive students into a stable career path.
Applicants and students have to show intent and competency. Students must pass the course with a 70% pass rate in order to be offered the chance to test and interview with RTD. "When the students graduate from FRCC Diesel Technology courses, RTD selects twelve applicants each term. The typical cost of tuition is $2,500, but RTD scholarships the students. They only pay $500," says Voster.
"It's a good opportunity for them. I wish I would have done this 15 years ago," says Mark Ringleman, an instructor at RTD. He also feels that success stories seem to be in the works at the Denver garage workshops.
Hoping to make himself one of those success stories is Gaffee Dolley, a West African refugee who applied and was accepted into the RTD program. It was in his junior year when Craig Emmert, senior technical training instructor at RTD, came to speak about the program. "It's been a struggle making it to the top. If I get this job, it will be really amazing," Dolley says. He plans on staying in Denver to work as a technician when he graduates.
Another student, Gabriel DeLuna, also became interested when an instructor came to his school to talk about the DTECH program. "I like to work with my hands. This is a really good opportunity for me," he says.
Jackson Hughes, a recent graduate, attended several schools before applying to and getting accepted at the RTD program in 2017. His team came in at 18th out of 43 teams at an annual technician rodeo held in Louisville, Kentucky in May. They were the youngest team to compete.
In addition to connecting students with employment opportunities after completion of the program, RTD sponsors a team that attends an annual technician rodeo each year. The event is an all-day competition of timed troubleshooting projects. Students compete for prizes money, belt buckle trophies, and status. They test their skills on vehicle air systems, defects, and other simulated problems.
Hughes' story is the kind of potential which Voster and RTD staff hope to see in the future. Streamlining the process to apply and keeping costs low are both priority goals to attract candidates.
Hughes visited Denver's RTD school site last week as a mentor and shared some advice with new applicants and students.
"Study up and get prepared. If they don't get the job offer they want from (RTD) right away, they still have the skills to go out and get hired. They can also come back and apply again." Hughes plans on staying in Denver and continuing his technician career in Boulder County.
Voster states the program reflects the growing job sector in the commuter industry. While Boulder County's population continues to boom, so does the demand for well-trained technicians. The other component is the rise in environmental minded decisions people make in transportation. As they choose light rail or bus riding over single car driving as a green choice, more technicians are needed for maintenance.
The program might also benefit students who don't want to graduate from a regular college with debt, according to Voster.
"RTD is a stable company. It will be there for the students who complete the program and go elsewhere. If they come back, RTD will be there, with possibilities of employment," Voster says.
