OSU Institute of Technology (OSUIT) has received a generous donation from Kiewit to support students in the School of Transportation & Heavy Equipment’s Diesel Technician program. Kiewit has donated 10 fully stocked toolboxes, providing students with high-quality tools that enhance their hands-on experience and prepare them for the workforce.
“These tools cost anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000, so having access to this equipment allows students to learn with the same technology they’ll encounter in the field,” said Dr. Trey Hill, Vice Provost at OSUIT. “This level of support ensures our students are equipped to excel from day one.”
Kiewit's support extends beyond this donation, marking the start of a deeper partnership with OSUIT. Recognizing the skill and readiness of OSUIT graduates, Kiewit plans to hire five OSUIT-trained technicians annually, demonstrating their confidence in the university’s polytechnic education and commitment to investing in future technicians.
“The reason we selected OSUIT is because we’ve seen several successful alumni come through this program,” said Steve Curry, Kiewit’s Vice President of Equipment. “One of the most challenging crafts to recruit is diesel technicians. We believe this partnership with OSUIT can help fill that gap by providing students with diverse career opportunities at Kiewit.”
This growing collaboration highlights the significant impact industry partnerships have in shaping the future workforce. By investing in OSUIT students, Kiewit is helping ensure graduates are well-prepared to meet industry demands, driving success for both students and the industries they will serve.
The donated toolboxes emphasize the vital role of industry partnerships in advancing OSUIT’s mission as Oklahoma’s only university of applied technology. As the state’s premier polytechnic institution, OSUIT is renowned for its high academic standards, world-class lab environments, and strong industry connections. These partnerships ensure students receive a top-tier education and are provided with the tools and skills needed to thrive in the workforce from day one.
“We learned about OSU Institute of Technology through an alumnus, now one of our equipment managers, who has been with the company for over 30 years,” said Gabriel Cambrelen of Kiewit Workforce Development. “As we began researching and developing a partnership, we realized OSUIT should be our first partner for hiring diesel technicians.”
For more information about OSUIT’s Polytech programs or to learn how to become an industry partner, visit osuit.edu.