01/18/2017
When Sergio Hernandez, Assoc. Professor Trade & Industry / Diesel Technology Department, decided he wanted a "learning center of excellence" for Bobcat's service techs, he stopped at nothing to achieve his goal. Sergio was fortunate to have the undying and enthusiastic support from Gary Kramer, Bobcat District Service Manage
Learning optimization can only be achieved when a college takes into account that students have different learning styles; kinesthetic, auditory & visual. Kinesthetic learners are those who learn best by doing. Auditory learners learn by listening, and visual learners learn better from watching. Students that pursue technical careers are typically kinesthetic (hands-on) learners. How many times have my students said to me, "I didn't quite understand the subject matter, until I actually built the system on the simulators, and then it finally made sense? On the other hand, students that pursue an English degree, for example, do exceptionally well with auditory and visual learning.
Technical colleges have to, in my opinion, cater to all three types of learners, which means they have to strive to make their visual presentations, textbooks, and labs equally exceptional. This is where many technical colleges drop the ball. They either have good textbooks and poor labs, or vice versa, which simply means some students aren't going to do as well as others.
It's obvious that Sergio got it right on all three counts. His classroom is comfortable and well appointed. There is a large screen at the front of the class, and about half way between the from of the classroom, and the back, there is a large screen TV.
The next stop in Sergio's search for educational excellence was choosing a "system" - visual presentation, textbooks, and hands-on simulators, that would make it as easy for him teach hydraulics, as it would be for his students to learn hydraulics.
Sergio needed a number of hydraulic training systems, which would enable him to teach the unique systems on Bobcat's wide range of products:
Basic through advanced level hydraulic training system
Hydrostatic transmission training system
Hydraulic cylinder training system
Pump cavitation training system
There was only one company in America that had everything Sergio needed to serve Bobcat, his community, and his clients (students) brilliantly: the Fluid Power Training Institute.
Sergio's college invested in two (2) of FPTI's flagship training systems, the Model MF102D-H-TSE.
Next, his college invested in, what is arguably, the most advanced construction equipment training system in the world, the Model MF500.
Teaching students how to set-up, adjust and troubleshoot hydrostatic transmissions when they are buried inside a vehicle is almost impossible. The MF500 solves that problem because the hydrostatic drive is in full view of the students
The MF500's hydraulic bucket control systems was equipped Bobcat's own, fully-functional directional control valve.
To teach his students everything they need to know about the operation at the inlet side of a hydraulic pump, and cavitation, Sergio's college invested in a Model MF200-CAV simulator
In addition to hydraulic training simulators, Bobcat provided one their latest and greatest machines so the students could practice what they learned on an actual Bobcat machine.
It obvious that Bobcat has the formula for success all figured out: design and build tough and reliable machines. Add to that world-class, safety based training for the people that service, repair and troubleshoot their machines, and the answer will always equal, satisfied customers. It obviously works, Bobcat has been around since 1958!
I had the pleasure of spending a few days with Sergio and Gary to help them with their inaugral workshop. Needless to say, it was a resounding success. Thank you Bobcat for caring about the safety of your team members. Thank you for Palomar college and Bobcat for providing world-class training. Last but not least, thank you for your exceptional hospitality.
