SLCC, Cummins Partner on Technician Apprentice Program at Westpointe

Representatives from Cummins and SLCC cut a ribbon inside the diesel lab at Westpointe.

Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) and Cummins Inc. announce they have teamed up to train workers to become service technicians and earn an associate of applied science degrees through Cummins’ Technician Apprentice Program (TAP) at SLCC’s Westpointe Workforce Training & Education Center.

TAP is a collaboration between industry and higher education to help Cummins’ apprenticeship students gain valuable training and advance in their careers. The two-year program provides training across a variety of diesel platforms and technologies, full-time employment during the program, free tuition and course credits that transfer to four-year degrees. SLCC is one of three institutions in the United States that host the TAP program and provide critical job training to Cummins’ employees.

“Salt Lake Community College is thrilled to enter into this very important partnership with Cummins International,” said Dr. Eric Heiser, SLCC Dean of the School of Applied Technology & Professional Development. “This is just one more way we can help to address the nationwide shortage of diesel mechanics while partnering with one of the most well-known and respected brands in the diesel industry. We are grateful for the confidence that Cummins has shown in us to be able to deliver quality diesel technician training to their apprentices.”

Students in the TAP program pose with Cummins executives.

To date, Cummins Inc. has sponsored 30 apprentice students by paying for their education and program expenses at SLCC. While in the program, students participate in an intense United States Department of Labor Technician Apprenticeship, where they will earn their associate degree from SLCC and be Cummins-certified in engines.

“Throughout our 100 years, we have spent time and energy investing in our people, and those people are the lifeblood of our company and the lifeblood of our business,” said Jenny Bush, executive director of North America Distribution for Cummins. “Without employees like our technicians here, we would not be where we are standing a hundred years later. As I think about our legacy and our heritage, everything we stand for sits in this room. I’m thrilled we’re able to continue that legacy as we get into our next hundred years.”

Jenny Bush, Cummins Inc. executive director for North America Distribution, gives the keynote address.

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