There is still way too much bad news. It's our mission to give you something good to read from an industry filled with great people and companies, hence another edition of Added Values.

Bergkamp upgrades an F-750

Let's talk hands-on learning.

Bergkamp, the pavement preservation folks headquartered in Salina, Kansas, recently donated a 2024 Ford F-750 truck valued at more than $80,000 to Salina Area Technical College. 

The donation provides students with opportunities for hands-on experience using commercial-grade equipment while preparing them for high-demand careers in the construction, diesel technology, industrial maintenance, and welding industries. 

The heavy-duty vehicle is roughly 35 feet long and weighs close to 50,000 pounds. Salina Tech equipped the truck with a customized aftermarket flatbed designed to haul more than 35,000 pounds of material.

This addition is essential for Salina Tech students to pick up and transport massive pieces of equipment, metal and parts like railroad ties currently being used in a parking lot resurfacing project. The college also worked with a Salina Tech graduate at locally-owned OSM Graphics to create a custom wrap for the cab of the truck.

You can check it out above. 

The Bergkamp donation was made in conjunction with the Kansas Technical College Contribution Credit Program, which encourages private-sector investment in higher education by providing tax benefits for qualified gifts that enhance student learning and workforce development.

"This extraordinary gift from Bergkamp will no doubt have a lasting impact on our students and the quality of education we are able to provide," said Dr. Greg Nichols, Salina Tech president. "Hands-on learning is the foundation of technical education and this truck will create educational opportunities for generations of students and help ensure our graduates enter the workforce ready to contribute on day one.” 

Caterpillar invests in Arkansas

So far, Cat's five-year, $100-million-dollar Building the Future Workforce Initiative has hit Texas, Ilinois, and Indiana — now it's come to Arkansas.

Here's hoping we don't receive 50 news releases. (Kidding!)

With an allocation of up to $3 million, the funding aims to prepare Arkansas workers for jobs in modern manufacturing and industry technician roles.

“Every community has the talent to build a strong manufacturing workforce. Investments like this can help create more opportunities for that talent to grow and succeed,” said Christy Pambianchi, Caterpillar's chief human resources officer.

Inside Cat's Road Builder Pro Training Program

“Arkansas has exciting momentum within our industry, and this commitment will help build the training pathways and programs needed to prepare workers for the modern manufacturing careers that lie ahead.”

As Caterpillar places growing emphasis on strengthening U.S. manufacturing capabilities, Arkansas represents an opportunity for growth, and the state's rising potential made it a natural fit for this investment. Caterpillar employs more than 530 people in Arkansas and works with 60 suppliers across the state.

In North Little Rock, Caterpillar's facility opened in 2010 as a dedicated motor grader plant and later expanded to add medium wheel loader and paving products to the product line. 

The facility is also embracing modern manufacturing technologies to improve efficiency, quality, velocity, and cost and has established itself as a safety leader and an early adopter of technologies to keep team members safe.

Caterpillar's commitment helps strengthen collaboration among Arkansas training institutions, students, employers, and other key community-based organizations to ensure individuals have access to affordable, relevant training that supports career advancement.