UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A program offered by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, called the Turfgrass and Agricultural Equipment (TAE) Service Technician Certificate program, is designed to meet the needs of the turfgrass and agricultural equipment industry by developing highly qualified service technicians to keep equipment in top operating condition.

"The turfgrass and agricultural equipment industries report shortages of qualified technicians to work in the industry," says Doug Schaufler, instructor in the department of agricultural and biological engineering and TAE program. "The Engine and Equipment Training Council estimates a shortage of 30,000 qualified technicians."

Developed with input from industry representatives, this certificate program is offered at the University Park campus over a two-year sequence of four, eight-week sessions. Registration is under way for the 2004 fall session, which will start in mid-October. Applications for the program will be accepted until the fall 2004 class is filled. The application can be found online at http://www.abe.psu.edu/tae.

"Offering the TAE program in four, eight-week sessions each year allows individuals to work in the turfgrass and agricultural equipment industry when not at school," says Jim Hilton, associate Sessions are offered back-to-back with the fall session running from mid-October through December, and the spring session running from January through mid-March. The first-year curriculum includes mathematics for turfgrass and agricultural service technicians, hydraulic applications, engine technology, electrical systems, computer basics and applications, safe equipment transport and shop practice, communications and public relations, power transmission applications, turfgrass and agricultural equipment, and business concepts.

The second year curriculum covers electronic applications, electro-hydraulics and hydrostatics, agronomy or turfgrass principles, machinery management for turfgrass, written communications, agriculture business applications, inventory management, turfgrass and agricultural equipment operation, shop management, irrigation systems and water management, power units, traction and weight transfer and diagnostics, repair and maintenance.

According to Hilton, the curriculum covers more than just engines, hydraulics and electrical systems. It also includes equipment operation and adjustment, plus computer, business and management skills to allow service technicians to increase their contribution and become an integral part of a successful business.

"The TAE program format caters to those who wish to improve their careers and further their education, but are not interested in a conventional two- or four-year college degree," says Schaufler. "Classes meet eight weeks in the fall and eight weeks in the spring for two years, allowing students to participate in on-the-job experience for the majority of the year."

For more information, contact Dr. James W. Hilton by mail at The Pennsylvania State University, 232 Agricultural Engineering Building, University Park, Pa. 16802; by phone at 814-863-1817; or by e-mail at jwh2@psu.edu. More can be learned about the TAE program by visiting the Web at http://www.abe.psu.edu/tae.

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EDITORS: Contact Jim Hilton at 814-863-1817 or by e-mail at jwh2@psu.edu. professor of agricultural engineering and education.

Writer/Editor: Jeff Mulhollem Office 814-863-2719 FAX 814-863-9877