Page 32 - 2018 Sustainability Report

A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIP

Matt Bonilla, scholarship recipient, operates a
loader simulator to feed stone into a crusher
MULTI-YEAR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE PREPARES
STUDENTS FOR A CAREER WITH MARTIN MARIETTA

A 46-year-old from Franklinton, North Carolina, Dennis safety, efficiency and equipment maintenance remain in
Crosland works part-time while enrolled in Wake Technical constant focus.
Community College’s Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) Kearns, who serves as the head of the HEO program, says
program. Though he’s operated heavy equipment for years, prospects for those earning a one-year diploma or a two-
he says working toward a diploma from Wake Tech has year degree are typically much improved.
already begun to open new doors.
“Our job placement rate after graduation is 100 percent,”
“This is a great program, even for someone like me,” he he said. “Many of our students will end up with Martin
said. “I’ve learned so much about servicing these machines Marietta or another local company. Many others will take
and about proper preventative maintenance. I’ve also their skills elsewhere. We have students this term from as
learned how to operate this equipment with finesse.” far away as upstate New York.”

“I’ve learned so much about servicing “Our job placement rate after
these machines and about proper graduation is 100 percent. Many of
preventative maintenance. I’ve also our students will end up with Martin
learned how to operate this equipment Marietta or another local company.”
with finesse.”
Noting the various ways companies like Martin Marietta
Crosland began his studies at the North Carolina have aided the HEO program and its students, Kearns says
community college in August 2018 as one of several Wake he’s thankful to have formed such strong relationships on
Tech students to earn a $500 Martin Marietta scholarship. Wake Tech’s behalf.
These awards represent just a small fraction of the
company’s support for the HEO program. “Balancing a full-time academic program with a full-time
job can be quite challenging, so every bit of support these
Martin Marietta’s NC East District Vice President-General students receive is much appreciated,” he said. “With
Manager Buzz Crosby says the company provided $75,000 regard to the program itself, Martin Marietta has provided
in each of the past two years to help kick-start the HEO tremendous help. They’ve allowed us to purchase our
program and that an additional $75,000 has been allotted simulators and they regularly participate in our career fairs.
for 2019. They’ve also allowed us to bring students into their quarries
“This program is beneficial to everyone involved,” Crosby to learn about the equipment and the mining process. That
said. “Wake Tech is now better suited to teach a new level of support has been instrumental.”
group of students the skills they’ll need for a worthwhile
career. In the mining industry, support for the HEO program
is another innovative approach we’re taking to recruit new “Martin Marietta has provided
talent.” tremendous help...They’ve also allowed
In addition to providing students with financial support, us to bring students into their quarries “My instructor has 20-plus years on these machines and is
Crosby says Martin Marietta’s donations have helped Wake to learn about the equipment and the a wealth of knowledge,” Bonilla, 22, said. “You can receive
Tech develop its faculty and purchase equipment and mining process. That level of support mentoring on the job, but you’re not going to find a place
equipment simulators. has been instrumental.” that will give you two hours a day just to operate without any
concern for production. That’s what this program is all about,
Professor Paige Kearns says many students of the fledgling gaining operation time and experience.”
HEO program pursue a one-year HEO diploma while Matt Bonilla, another student and scholarship winner,
completing one of Wake Tech’s related two-year associate appreciates Martin Marietta’s financial assistance and Bonilla expects to earn his one-year HEO diploma in May 2019
degree programs. During the coursework, these students says it’s helping him take full advantage of the HEO and says he knows exactly what he’ll do afterward.
learn to operate and maintain a variety of heavy machines, program. Though he, too, has already spent time on heavy “I’m going to apply to Martin Marietta,” he said without
including dozers, loaders and motor graders. equipment, his Wake Tech studies are providing him with hesitation. “That’s what we’re all planning to do.”
the type of experience that is hard to come by in the
The bulk of the program’s early months are spent training working world.
on simulators while the second half of the program focuses
on real-world equipment operation, he says. Throughout,

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