Mecosta-Osceola Career Center uses grant to buy auto equipment

MECOSTA COUNTY — The Mecosta-Osceola Vocation Center recently procured a new Hunter Devices TC39ss centre clamp tire machine and a new Hunter Equipment Road Drive Elite RFE02 tire balancer.

In 2021, the automotive know-how plan obtained a $30,000 grant from the Margaret Dunning Basis to order new tire tools. The new devices offered by the grant will be utilized to coach Job Heart learners on the most up-to-date sorts of tire mounting and balancing technology, according to a news launch.

Todd Ballard, automotive engineering lead teacher at the job heart, explained the grant will let the heart to assistance pupils enhance their skill sets.


“Our hope is that graduates will learn authentic-globe abilities on the very same tire gear neighborhood dealerships and unbiased retailers are using,” Ballard reported in the release. “Tire tech occupations are in fantastic desire and will provide an chance for learners to be hired for entry-degree auto industrial positions.”

Ballard said the new products is point out-of-the-artwork technologies.

“This equipment will give pupils fantastic schooling in modern-day very low profile and run-flat tire services as properly as highway power balancing needed by lots of new vehicle companies,” Ballard explained. “The Hunter Highway Force balancers and their TC39 rim clamp tire changers are recreation-changers. This will considerably enable put together pupils for the workplace. This style of products is utilized by car companies, motor vehicle dealerships and most independent stores. Students enhance their employability competencies as a result of their working experience and schooling on the newly obtained devices.”

Margaret Dunning, a businesswoman and philanthropist from Plymouth, recognized the Dunning Foundation in 1997 in aspect to guidance Automotive schooling systems mainly in Wayne County and Southeastern Michigan. She loved traditional cars and won the Common Auto Club of The united states trophy at the Pebble Beach front Concours d’Elegance with her 1930 Packard Roadster, the news release states.