Northwest Technical Institute Enlarges Diesel Truck Facility

The Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale is expanding its Diesel and Truck Technology Center from 6,000 SF to 12,000 SF, thanks to carryover in the NTI budget and an allocation from the Arkansas general improvement fund.

Construction began Nov. 3 at the NTI campus at 709 S. Old Missouri Road. A key aspect of the renovation is raising the roof of the facility so trucks can be lifted up for repairs. In the old facility, trucks were lifted up outside the garage.

An 18-month certification prepares a graduate for an entry-level job in the logistics field, from diesel technician to warranty clerk. Students learn about government/industry safety and emission regulations. Once students complete the program, they can step into a $10 per hour job and work their way from there to a $60,000 job, according to the NTI website.

Finding employment is not hard.

“There is a high demand for skilled technicians, not just locally, but across the nation,” said Kent Chambers, the program’s instructor.