Clark State selected to partner with agriculture business

The Clark State Community College Diesel Technology program has been selected as a corporate partner for Bane-Welker.

Bane-Welker, an agricultural, turf and industrial equipment company, has partnered with other college programs in the past, however this is their first partnership in the state of Ohio, according Clark State.

Through the partnership, the diesel program will receive three new pieces of equipment for students and teachers to utilize in the classroom for instructional purposes.

“Clark State is thrilled to partner with Bane-Welker,” said Aimee Belanger-Hass, dean of business and applied technologies at Clark State. “This relationship will allow our students to gain practical hands-on experience on the latest state-of-the-art machinery.”

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Tyler Wilson, an employee development specialist for Bane-Welker, said Clark State was selected as a partner because of the college’s willingness to develop an agriculture program and their geographic location.

“Clark State has a strong diesel program that is the foundation for building a successful ag tech program,” Wilson said.

Clark State will receive three tractors throughout next year, with one rotating in every three months.

“These tractors have been specifically selected for the content that the students will be learning that semester,” Wilson said. “Clark State will have access to the Case IH diagnostic tool software, parts schematics and factory training course.”

The equipment and tools will help to educate instructors and students on the operation and application of the Case IH agricultural machinery, Wilson said.

Areas of focus will be electrical diagnostics, hydraulic diagnostics and after treatment fuel systems.

Wilson said the first tractor is expected to be delivered later this summer so faculty members can begin preparing the curriculum for the upcoming fall semester.

Online training, parts lookups and the diagnostic tools are already on-site at Clark State, according to Clark State officials.

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“Bane-Welker is excited about this opportunity to educate and prepare individuals for the ag equipment technology workforce,” Wilson said. “Labor is in high demand with a low supply, and this program will be critical in identifying and training the next generation workforce.”

Bane-Welker Equipment was established in January of 2013 when two Case IH dealers, Bane Equipment and North Central Agri-Power, consolidated and became one company.

Bane-Welker is based in Indiana, but has offices in Ohio.

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