The company donated two Tritium 75 kW DC fast chargers to support CCAC’s automotive and transportation programs, where the equipment will be used as part of classroom instruction and technical training.

Preparing Students for a Changing Industry

Although diesel equipment continues to dominate commercial trucking, fleets are gradually introducing electric vehicles in certain applications, particularly local and regional operations. As those vehicles become more common, technicians entering the workforce will need experience with the charging equipment and supporting infrastructure used to keep them operating.

PITT OHIO said providing students with access to modern equipment helps expose them to technologies that are becoming part of the transportation, logistics, and automotive industries.

“The transportation industry is evolving, and today’s students will play an important role in shaping what comes next,” said Taki Darakos, vice president of vehicle maintenance at PITT OHIO. “Sustainability is about more than reducing our environmental impact. It’s about helping prepare future generations for the opportunities ahead.”

Supporting Technical Education

CCAC said the donation will strengthen hands-on training by allowing students to work directly with commercial charging equipment while preparing for careers in skilled trades and vehicle maintenance.

Robert Koch, an automotive instructor and professor at CCAC, said experience with current technology helps bridge classroom instruction and real-world applications while preparing graduates for careers in automotive and truck transportation.

The college added that access to modern equipment allows students to become familiar with technologies they are increasingly likely to encounter after entering the workforce.

Part of a Broader Workforce Investment

PITT OHIO said the donation reflects its continued investment in workforce development through partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations.

Lisa Ladicicco, executive director of Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities, said placing EV charging equipment in an educational environment gives students firsthand exposure to clean transportation technology while helping prepare the future workforce.

As transportation technology continues to change, partnerships between fleets, equipment manufacturers, and technical education programs are becoming an increasingly common way to help students gain practical experience before beginning their careers.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 5, 2026

Source: The Trucker

The post PITT OHIO Donates EV Fast Chargers to Pennsylvania Community College appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

For McConnell, the win did not happen overnight. It came after years of learning the competition and refining his approach.

Learning the Rodeo One Year at a Time

McConnell first competed in the Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo in 2023. He did not place, but the experience left a strong impression. Rather than seeing the outcome as a setback, he focused on understanding how the event worked and what judges were looking for.

He returned in 2024, competing in San Antonio. Once again, he did not place, but the second appearance gave him a clearer view of the Rodeo’s structure and scoring. Beyond fixing the truck, success depended on following procedures precisely and communicating each step of the process to the judges.

That trip also marked a personal milestone. McConnell got engaged on the Riverwalk, adding even more motivation heading into his next attempt.

Everything Comes Together in Nashville

Coming into his third Rodeo appearance in Nashville, McConnell set a realistic goal. He wanted to make the finals. With his fiancé cheering him on and his wedding just weeks away, McConnell leaned on everything he had learned from previous competitions.

This time, it all clicked.

McConnell captured the Medium-Duty, Peterbilt, and Medium-Duty Grand Championship titles, then was named the all-around Grand Champion at the 20th anniversary Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo, held Tuesday at the Gaylord Opryland.

“It feels amazing. I never would have thought” it possible, McConnell said.

Training and Staying Current Made the Difference

McConnell credited his performance not only to prior Rodeo experience but also to the work he has put into staying current throughout his career. Keeping up with new systems, procedures, and manufacturer guidance played a major role in his success.

“This is why it’s so important to make sure that you’re reading up on all the new stuff, studying up on all the new information and keeping up on everything new,” he said. “The biggest thing is just read, read, read. Absorb that knowledge so that when you’re working on a truck, you’re not just taking a guess. You’re taking an educated guess based on what you know from the information [from the manufacturer].”

For technicians, that mindset mirrors real-world shop conditions, where accurate diagnostics depend on understanding evolving technology rather than relying on instinct alone.

Showing the Work, Not Just the Result

During the two-day competition, McConnell focused on an area that had held him back in the past. While he had always been able to diagnose and repair the truck, he had not consistently communicated his process to the judges.

That changed this year.

“You know, the first couple times I came here, I was focused more on fixing the truck as fast as possible rather than following the procedures correctly,” he said. “These procedures are ingrained in my mind by now, but I needed to make sure the judge knew that I knew them. So this year I made sure to just tell him every single thing I was doing and I guess it worked out.”

That attention to procedure and transparency proved to be the difference.

Recognition and Results

As all-around Grand Champion, McConnell earned $18,500 in total cash and prizes, a timely bonus with his wedding less than three weeks away.

“Got a little extra spending money now,” he said.

McConnell was recognized during the awards ceremony alongside Rush Enterprises Chairman, President, and CEO Rusty Rush, as well as Clint Bowyer.

2025 Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo Winners

More than 2,700 technicians completed over 4,600 qualifying tests ahead of this year’s event, with more than 220 competitors advancing to Nashville. Approximately 800 people attended the awards ceremony Tuesday evening.

Nearly $300,000 in cash and prizes were awarded this year, bringing total prize money distributed over the Rodeo’s 20-year history to $3.5 million.

Grand Champions

• Heavy-Duty Service: Nat Dixon, Rush Truck Centers – Joplin
• Medium-Duty Service: Dom McConnell, Rush Truck Centers – Orlando South
• Parts: Eric Valenzuela, Rush Truck Centers – Joliet
• Aftermarket Sales: Ryan Summers, Rush Truck Centers – Denver
• Truck Sales: Steven Nace, Rush Truck Centers – Smyrna

Reserve Grand Champions

• Heavy-Duty Service: Paul Crawford, Rush Truck Centers – Haines City
• Medium-Duty Service: Joe Behrend, Rush Truck Centers – Idaho Falls
• Parts: Aaron Van Straten, Rush Truck Centers – Houston Northwest
• Aftermarket Sales: Francisco Ferrara, Rush Truck Centers – Greeley

What This Win Represents

McConnell’s journey highlights a message that resonates across service departments and fleets. Skill competitions reward more than speed. They reward preparation, adherence to process, and the ability to clearly communicate technical decisions.

For carriers and service organizations, the Tech Skills Rodeo underscores the value of investing in training and giving technicians opportunities to test their skills at a high level. For technicians, McConnell’s third-time win shows how experience and persistence can turn lessons into results.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

The post Process, Preparation, and Persistence Pay Off at Rush Tech Skills Rodeo appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The session, titled “How the New FMCSA Exemption and TMC Streamline Technician Training Requirements for Inspections,” is designed to help techs, fleet managers, and maintenance leads understand how the rule will speed up technician certification while keeping safety front and center.

According to ASE, “The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) earlier this year granted American Trucking Associations (ATA) and its Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) a five-year exemption that will cut the time new technicians need to spend preparing to enter the workforce while maintaining high standards for safety and competency.”

What This Means for Techs

In simple terms, this exemption gives trained techs a faster path to qualify for key inspection and repair work. Instead of completing a full year of experience or training, technicians can now qualify with 540 hours of instruction if that training follows TMC’s recommended practices (RPs).

This rule change, originally requested by ATA back in 2020, helps both new and seasoned techs move up more quickly while ensuring the same level of safety and skill the FMCSA requires.

Webinar Details and Who’s Speaking

Robert Braswell from TMC will break down exactly how the new exemption applies to motor carriers, intermodal equipment providers, and individuals. He’ll also explain how self-certification works for those who complete RP-based training programs.

According to the FMCSA, this new approach “would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety provided by the regulatory requirements.”

Anyone who joins the live session will receive a certificate of attendance for professional development. ASE notes it may take up to a week for certificates to arrive by email.

Even if you can’t make the live event, it’s still worth registering. Attendees will get a follow-up email with access to the recorded version once it’s available.

Why It Matters for the Shop and the Road

This new rule could help fleets and repair shops get qualified techs up to speed faster without cutting corners. For drivers, it means more skilled hands keeping rigs safe and compliant, which keeps everyone rolling smoothly.

To register for the free ASE webinar, visit the official ASE Education Foundation webinar registration page.

Source: The Trucker

The post ASE Offers Free Webinar to Help Truck Techs Understand New FMCSA Exemption appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Confronted with a pressing need for skilled technicians, the TMC forged alliances with educational stalwarts like WyoTech, Western Technical College, Lincoln Tech, University of Northwest Ohio, Universal Technical Institute, and SAE. This partnership is more than just an exchange of resources; it’s about nurturing the passion of students ready to dedicate themselves to this field. Robert Braswell, TMC’s executive director, remarked, “These initiatives provide greater choice for deserving scholarship-seeking students looking to prepare for a career as a commercial vehicle technician.”

Scholarship Recipients and Their Stories:

TMC/Lincoln Tech/NADC Diesel Truck Technician Scholarship: Covering half the tuition for an intensive training program at Lincoln Technical Institute or Lincoln College of Technology, the scholarship propels the aspirations of these students:

• Aaron Lanter of Richmond, KY
• Thomas McNamara of West Springfield, MA
• Asher Dunn of Lancaster, KY
• Tucker Brown of Barbourville, KY

TMC/University of Northwest Ohio Scholar: A remarkable $20,000 scholarship was awarded to Shaliah Mae Kohlenberg of DuBois, PA.

TMC/WyoTech Diesel Truck Technician Scholarship: With partial scholarships of up to $5,000:

• Wesley Bihn of Portland, IN
• Eric Culley of John Day, OR
• William Gallacher of Carrizozo, NM
• Jayden Walker of Milton-Freewater, OR

UTI Diesel Technology Program Scholarship: These half scholarships for UTI’s renowned programs fuel the ambitions of:

• Maggie Bockenstedt of Farley, IA
• Cooper Hambright of New Cumberland, PA
• Juan Carlos Palacios of The Bronx, NY
• Bryan Perpuli-Ochoa of Las Cruces, NM

TEC/Western Tech Scholarship: Raul Vega Jr. of Tornillo, TX, was awarded a scholarship covering half the tuition for diesel mechanics and technology studies at Western Tech.

TMC/SAE Donald D. Dawson Technical Scholarship: With renewable $1,500 scholarships, these recipients are:

• Zachary Been of Bakersfield, CA
• Bryan Edgar of Huntsville, A
• Josh Cassell of Worcester, MA

For a full list of scholarship rules, interested candidates can visit TMC’s website. All completed scholarship applications for 2025 must be submitted by April 15, 2025, with winners announced by May 15, 2025.

Source: The Trucker

The post ATA Technology and Maintenance Council Awards Scholarships to 17 Aspiring Technicians appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.