Waco Transit System Utilizing TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology Students

When people wind down at home or lift reps at the gym after a long day at work, the Waco Transit System's maintenance department livens up with its own activity.

And, some of the employees making this happen have ties to Texas State Technical College's Diesel Equipment Technology program.

"We always keep six to 10 of the kids on board," said Waco Transit System Director of Maintenance Steve Edgar. "We work late evenings and it is flexible with their classes. If it wasn't for the tech students, I would be in a bind."

Caleb Hensley, 19, of Waco and Malaci Moore, 19, of Elm Mott are two of the TSTC students who work in the maintenance shop in downtown Waco. Both students are scheduled to graduate in April from TSTC. The students work with preventive maintenance along with repairing air and fuel leaks and hydraulics.

"I like the controlled environment," Hensley said. "This is my first shop. I have always worked on vehicles, but I liked heavier equipment."

Moore came to Waco Transit with knowledge accumulated from his relatives working in the oil fields. He said laboring at the transit agency has been a good experience and one to help him as he secures a job working on mechanical equipment in the oil fields after graduation.

"There are some things you can't teach in a classroom compared to a shop," Moore said.

Edgar said Waco Transit has worked with the Diesel Equipment Technology program for more than two decades, hiring students and enabling them to get professional work experience. He said while the technical college provides the industry knowledge for students, it is businesses like Waco Transit that can provide the hands-on work to fine-tune skills.

"Steve and them are a blessing," said Richard Stranacher, an instructor in TSTC's Diesel Equipment Technology program. "The students get the exposure, and he critiques and hone their skills over there."

Waco Transit is not just city buses and trolleys circling downtown. The agency provides bus service for Baylor University, shuttles for Baylor football games, shuttles to and from Waco Regional Airport, services for McLennan County Rural Transit, and vans for Americans with Disabilities Act and Medicaid patients.

New employees typically start as mechanics' helpers, Edgar said. He said some of the traits he looks for in potential employees include common sense and flexibility. He said the first test for applicants is to see if they follow directions in filling out the employment application.

"If they show will and determination to learn, they move into the shop to do preventive maintenance," he said. "With these kids, I always encourage school, No. 1; work is No. 2. We have to pace them."

David Villatoro, 28, of Robinson began work at Waco Transit while he was a TSTC student and was hired fulltime after graduation in 2009. He is a technician who started working evenings and eventually moved up to a daytime shift. A lot of his work involves preventive maintenance, heating and cooling systems and wheelchair lifts.

"When I started, I was doing tires," said Villatoro. "I got familiarized with the vehicles and preventive maintenance and then worked on the electrical side. I caught on really fast."

Villatoro, a 2007 graduate of Stony Point High School in Round Rock, said he grew up with an interest in cars.

"But, everything in diesel is bigger," he said.

Further training beyond daily work is done by vendors contracted to provide purchased vehicles, Edgar said.

Edgar said the transit agency could also use current students or graduates in other fields, including automotive technology, auto collision and welding, to fill work gaps.

The Waco Transit Authority is a wholly owned subsidiary of RATP Dev and contracts with the city of Waco. The agency has 140 employees in administration, maintenance and operations.

TSTC in Waco offers the Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology with specializations in Off-Highway Equipment, John Deere Construction and Forestry, or Heavy Truck. TSTC in Waco also offers certificates in Diesel Equipment Technology - Heavy Truck and Off-Highway Equipment.