Issue Date: 3/12/07
Donation an investment in future hires
By Jason Dunn
- Page 1 of 1
Palomar's diesel technology program recently received a $20,000 donation aimed at relieving the shortage of technicians in industry.
Caterpillar, an international industrial supply company, and its local distributor, Hawthorne Machinery, each gave $10,000 to the college's program.
"They really need technicians," said Joe Schaeffer, head of Palomar's diesel technology program. "That's the underlying thing."
Schaeffer said there are not enough people training to be technicians to meet industry demands.
He said Palomar will spend the money on a new excavator and on new technology engines. The college will also offer two $2,500 scholarships with the money, Schaeffer said.
Tom Hawthorne, chairman of the board at Hawthorne Machinery, said the company gives donations annually to community colleges in San Diego.
"It's a win-win situation for both of us," he said.
He said helping education in the area produces better graduates for the company to hire.
Schaeffer said the grant is an example of industry supporting education.
"To me, that's how this campus is really going to succeed," Schaeffer said.
He said companies such as Hawthorne Machinery giving donations to schools is a commonplace method to help address the shortage of qualified graduates.
"They're doing this across the country," he said.
Palomar has about 125 diesel technology students at different stages of the program, Schaeffer said, and the program has a job placement rate of 85 to 90 percent.
"We pretty much have one or two students in every shop in North San Diego County," he said.
He said the North County Transit District, which operates public transport in North County, is one of the biggest employers of Palomar graduates.
Hawthorne said his company employs a lot of Palomar graduates, some of whom have gone on to upper management.
"We hire usually nine or 10 average, usually, right out of the graduating class," he said.
Caterpillar, an international industrial supply company, and its local distributor, Hawthorne Machinery, each gave $10,000 to the college's program.
"They really need technicians," said Joe Schaeffer, head of Palomar's diesel technology program. "That's the underlying thing."
Schaeffer said there are not enough people training to be technicians to meet industry demands.
He said Palomar will spend the money on a new excavator and on new technology engines. The college will also offer two $2,500 scholarships with the money, Schaeffer said.
Tom Hawthorne, chairman of the board at Hawthorne Machinery, said the company gives donations annually to community colleges in San Diego.
"It's a win-win situation for both of us," he said.
He said helping education in the area produces better graduates for the company to hire.
Schaeffer said the grant is an example of industry supporting education.
"To me, that's how this campus is really going to succeed," Schaeffer said.
He said companies such as Hawthorne Machinery giving donations to schools is a commonplace method to help address the shortage of qualified graduates.
"They're doing this across the country," he said.
Palomar has about 125 diesel technology students at different stages of the program, Schaeffer said, and the program has a job placement rate of 85 to 90 percent.
"We pretty much have one or two students in every shop in North San Diego County," he said.
He said the North County Transit District, which operates public transport in North County, is one of the biggest employers of Palomar graduates.
Hawthorne said his company employs a lot of Palomar graduates, some of whom have gone on to upper management.
"We hire usually nine or 10 average, usually, right out of the graduating class," he said.
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