NEW PROGRAM PROPOSAL: SOUTHCENTRAL KY COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE December 7, 2018

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1 NEW PROGRAM PROPOSAL: ACTION AAS IN DIESEL TECHNOLOGY Agenda Item J-3c SOUTHCENTRAL KY COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE December 7, 2018 Recommendation That the Board of Regents approve an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Diesel Technology for Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) to be implemented in fall Rationale The proposed AAS degree is consistent with the missions of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) and Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) and supports the statewide postsecondary education strategic agenda and the statewide strategic implementation plan. The technical competencies for the Diesel Technology AAS focus on courses that require students to analyze malfunctions, as well as to repair, rebuild and maintain diesel equipment. Students will demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of diesel engines, fuel injection, onboard computers, transmissions, steering and suspension, and brakes. According to SKYCTC s Institutional research department, employment numbers and trends for Diesel Technology in a 50-mile radius of Glasgow Kentucky result in an increase of 582 additional jobs by 2022, with 435 jobs in the 5-year total demand for replacement and growth. SKYCTC was contacted by the Barren County Public Schools district to discuss the potential of partnering to establish a Diesel Technology program for dual credit and as well as training for business and industry through SKYCTC s Workforce Solutions. The school district, along with several companies within Barren and proximate counties have had difficulty identifying qualified diesel engine repair technicians for their heavy trucks and diesel-powered equipment. Barren County Public Schools district applied for and received $6.84 million in funding through the Work Ready Skills Initiative grant in 2017 to address the need for diesel engine repair technicians. A portion of that award is being used to build a new five thousand square foot facility to house and equip the new Diesel Technology Program. This unique partnership between SKYCTC and Barren County Public Schools will be a welcome addition to the choices offered to students for training in the diesel field. Background According to the Kentucky Public Postsecondary Education Diversity Policy and Framework for Institution Diversity Plan Development, SKYCTC has automatic eligibility. An executive summary of the proposal is attached. A copy of the full proposal has been forwarded to each member of the Board s Academic Affairs and Curriculum Committee. 135

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3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Associate in Applied Science in Diesel Technology Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College A Proposal for Initiation of a New Degree Program A. Centrality to the Institution s Mission and Consistency with State s Goals The proposed Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Diesel Technology program is entirely consistent with the mission of Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC). Specifically, it will provide access to a high-quality career and technical program that will prepare workers to have the skills necessary to compete and succeed in today s trucking industry. Additionally, it provides SKYCTC with the opportunity to respond to workforce needs within the community and partner with local businesses to support and promote economic vitality and a high quality of life in the region. The Diesel Technology AAS program also addresses statewide needs, both within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) and the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). Specifically to KCTCS, the program will increase student access to a postsecondary credential that provides marketable skills and family-sustaining salaries in a career field that is in high demand. The Diesel Technology AAS program will respond to CPE s statewide goals by addressing Policy Objectives 4 and 7. This program will provide a new pathway to complete a postsecondary degree and credential. Additionally, the Diesel Technology program will respond to industry needs by partnering with local business and industry to build the trained workforce that is needed. B. Program Quality and Student Success The student outcomes for Diesel Technology program include both general education and technical education competencies. The general education competencies are designed to prepare students for twenty-first-century challenges and focus on critical thinking, teamwork, problem solving, and communication skills, to name a few. This combination provides students with the soft skills and knowledge base to be successful in the trucking industry. The technical competencies for the Diesel Technology AAS focus on courses that require students to analyze malfunctions, as well as to repair, rebuild and maintain diesel equipment. Students will demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of diesel engines, fuel injection, onboard computers, transmissions, steering and suspension, and brakes

4 C. Program Demand/Unnecessary Duplication According to the Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics (KCEWS) report, Kentucky Future Skills, occupation-level job openings, and wage data between estimates employment in Kentucky for this field at 21,335. Specific jobs that are in highest demand include Bus and Truck Mechanics/Diesel Engine Specialists; First- Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers; Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics; and Farm Equipment Mechanics. According to SKYCTC s Institutional research department, employment numbers and trends for Diesel Technology in a 50- mile radius of Glasgow Kentucky result in an increase of 582 additional jobs by 2022, with 435 jobs in the 5-year total demand for replacement and growth. Potential student demand for the Diesel Technology AAS may be extrapolated from the current demand for SKYCTC s Automotive Technology program. The Automotive program enrolls every year and maintains a waiting list for student enrollment. Typically, well over 100 students must either wait 18 months queued on a waiting list or chose a different program. Adding a related program within this field would expand training opportunities in a high-wage, high-demand career for current and prospective SKYCTC students as well as high school dual credit students while simultaneously meeting employer demand for skilled workers. D. Cost and Funding of the Proposed Program SKYCTC was contacted by the Barren County Public Schools district to discuss the potential of partnering to establish a Diesel Technology program for dual credit and as well as training for business and industry through SKYCTC s Workforce Solutions. The school district, along with several companies within Barren and proximate counties have had difficulty identifying qualified diesel engine repair technicians for their heavy trucks and diesel-powered equipment. Barren County Public Schools district applied for and received $6.84 million in funding through the Work Ready Skills Initiative grant in 2017 to address the need for diesel engine repair technicians. A portion of that award is being used to build a new five thousand square foot facility to house and equip the new Diesel Technology Program. The funds awarded includes funds to purchase equipment and program materials. SKYCTC will share other program costs such as faculty salaries. For example, the SKYCTC Automotive Technology Program Coordinator will combine coordinating duties for both Diesel Technology and Automotive Technology. Adjunct (part-time) faculty will be hired to assist with teaching the technical courses for this program. No additional general education faculty will be needed. 138

5 E. Program Review and Assessment Review of the Diesel Technology program and assessment of student learning outcomes will utilize processes already established at SKYCTC for all technical programs. On an annual basis, each technical program participates in the program review process. One portion of the annual report focuses on quantitative data while another part of the program review process focuses on qualitative data. The following components will be evaluated: Graduation/completion rate data. Graduate employment data. Attainment of student learning outcomes. Employer practicum assessments. Employer and student satisfaction surveys. Advisory board feedback. NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute) scores. Internal peer review. These data sets are used to provide an overall view of programmatic effectiveness and attainment of student learning outcomes. Information obtained through the review process is used to minimize gaps and close the loop. The review process also leads to programmatic improvement as well as increased performance and effectiveness. The components will be evaluated annually, and as a new associate degree program, the results of the college program review will also be forwarded to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) staff for review after three years. Upon a successful review, the program will be placed on the regular five years CPE institutional program review cycle. F. Conclusion The proposed Diesel Technology AAS program is consistent with the missions of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College. It also supports the strategic agenda and implementation plan of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. The KCTCS system-level curriculum committee has approved the Diesel Technology curriculum, and the curriculum supports the workforce needs of the Southcentral Kentucky Region and Kentucky. This unique partnership between SKYCTC and Barren County Public Schools will be a welcome addition to the choices offered to students for training in the diesel field. 139

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