Komatsu America Corp., a leading global heavy equipment manufacturer, recently hosted more than 30 students from three Atlanta-area colleges and technical schools at the Komatsu America, Cartersville, GA customer center training site. Students came to learn about construction-related jobs, as well as how to operate select Komatsu machines, including bulldozers, excavators, wheel loaders, and dump trucks.

As guests of Komatsu America and local distributors Tractor & Equipment, Co.; Linder Industrial Machinery Company; Brandeis Machinery; and Power Equipment Co., students from Chattahoochee Technical College, Reinhardt University and Kennesaw State University learned about a day in the work life of construction and mining employees, as well as current and future job opportunities.

Students also strapped on hardhats, climbed inside 20 foot, 200,000 lb. machines, and for an afternoon, received hands-on training and operated state-of-the-art construction equipment.

“It's so important to do all we can to attract top talent to the industry,” said Tom Suess, director, training and publications for Komatsu America. “Komatsu and our local distributors jumped at the chance to host these students and their school administrators. I think we opened the eyes of some students today about how technologically and globally focused the industry is, and how bright a future they can have if they pursue a career in this field,” Suess said.

"I had never operated equipment before coming out here," said Chattahoochee Tech student Chandler Firestine. "It's been an awesome experience being able to really get inside one of the machines and see how they work mechanically…..especially being a diesel tech. I would love to come out here again and do it if I could," Firestine said.

For more information, visit www.komatsuamerica.com.