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Heavy Equipment Institute Sessions Offer Collaborative Learning to Benefit Public, Private Transportation Operations

Heavy Equipment Institute

During the month of June, Ferris State University's College of Engineering Technology will be teaming up with Corporate and Professional Development to host more sessions in the Heavy Equipment Institute.

Ferris State University College of Engineering Technology faculty members are providing expert instruction to dozens of equipment maintenance professionals employed by regional governments and corporations during Heavy Equipment Institute 2023 sessions that continue beginning in early June.

Daniel Meyers is the program coordinator for Ferris’ Heavy Equipment Department. Heavy Equipment faculty offered technicians advanced sessions in mid-May on vehicle electronics, hydraulics and other operational systems. Meyers said the focus now shifts to enhancing these professionals’ ability to restore and repair heavy equipment.

“We are glad to have Welding Engineering Technology faculty share their expertise and state-of-the-art facilities in the Swan Building over three separate three-day sessions,” Meyers said. “Whether the technicians are learning techniques to repair Road Commission equipment, servicing fleet vehicles for a trucking company or restoring other machinery, institute programs help them build on their skill sets.”

Miller said the institute has a good instructor-student ratio, as organizers expect a little more than 50 professionals will earn certificates across the 10-program schedule.

“There was a Transportation Institute offered in the Heavy Equipment Center long ago. We were able to revive the concept in 2015 and now offer our Heavy Equipment Institute annually,” Meyers said. “It calls on us to update the curriculum regularly so that the latest advances in equipment technology and techniques are there for our students. We are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels of 60 students for an institute’s schedule.”

According to Meyers, who said College of Engineering Technology faculty are called for contracted training sessions, there is a residual benefit from offering the Heavy Equipment Institute. Meyers believes, with respect to Heavy Equipment Technology, recognition comes from Ferris’ stature as the nation’s only institution offering a Bachelor of Science degree.

“I have taught customized sessions for technicians with the city of Grand Rapids’ municipal garage. That’s just one example of our faculty meeting the regional need for specialized learning,” Meyers said. “Word-of-mouth recommendations from technicians who complete certificates in the institute bring participant interest and energy to each year’s program.”

Heavy Equipment Institute June 2023 Schedule

  • Welding for Maintenance and Repair, Location: FSU Swan Building (June 6-8)
  • Fundamentals of Welding Fabrication, Location: FSU Swan Building (June 13-15)
  • Advanced Welding and Repair Welding, Location: FSU Swan Building (June 20-22)

For more information about Corporate and Professional Development opportunities visit the website.