Eagle in Action: Tools for Techs

Tools for Techs is a program Donnie Hines, Luther Daniels, Johnny Green, and Justin Lynch of the Eastern Chapter of the North Carolina Transportation Maintenance Council when they all took officer positions with the NCTMC. The Tools for Techs program links students enrolled in any diesel program within the NCTMC chapter to the tools and tool storage needed to start a career in the diesel industry.

"It was my way of giving back to the industry, knowing my struggle when I became a technician," Donnie said.

After finding an employer, the next biggest hurdle facing anyone entering the diesel industry is getting the proper tools needed to perform the trade. NCTMC seeks sponsors from the community and industry to offer select students the opportunity to receive items that will pave their way from student to diesel professional.

Each school year, the group collects many items and raises funds to help select students offset the cost of entering the workforce. When it is time to present awards, they will have multiple toolboxes, tool chests, tool sets, miscellaneous hand tools, and gift cards to award to select students. Every student in the diesel program is eligible; all they have to do is apply.

In 2017, Donnie and the Eastern Chapter of NCTMC awarded tool boxes, tool sets, gift cards, and other prizes valued at over $17,000 to 21 students in the diesel and heavy equipment technology program at Johnston Community College.

Read more: Transportation Maintenance Council Gives Diesel Students Tool Boxes.

In 2020, Donnie got Harbor Freight to donate 19 $100 gift cards to Tools for Techs for the 2020 applicants. Annually, NCTMC also gives out a high-school student scholarship for, at minimum, a free semester in the college's diesel program and scholarships to currently enrolled students with financial needs. A golf tournament or fundraiser event usually funds the scholarship program.

There is a shortage of technicians, and the program allowed the industry to give back to the new technicians, to invest in a student for the betterment of the industry. It was a hit and is still a successful program, excluding the pandemic period. Each year since its inception, Eagle donates hand tools, power tools, and tool storage to support Tools for Techs.

Are you looking for ways to support the Tools for Techs program? Email Johnny Green at jygreen@johnstoncc.edu to donate to the program.