Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
The Elmore County Board of Education held a special-called board meeting on January 13, 2026, at the Elmore County Technical Center, gathering inside the newly constructed diesel mechanic shop, a space that represents a major step forward for career and technical education in the county.
Superintendent Richard Dennis reflected on the long-standing demand for the program and the significance of the new facility.
“Almost the first day I set foot in Elmore County as superintendent, I had vendors encouraging us to start a diesel mechanic program because of the workforce needs they see in their industry,” Dennis said. “These are businesses and industries that support us, and we finally have the facility to match the vision.”
Dennis noted that the program has previously relied on shared space and supplemental resources alongside the automotive program.
“We have been supplementing what we’ve been able to do in the adjacent automotive program, but now we have a dedicated space,” he said. “I want to thank everyone who made this possible. This is truly a beautiful facility.”
Jake Adams serves as the Diesel Mechanic Instructor at ECTC. While this marks the third year of the diesel mechanic program, it is Adams’s first year teaching it. Approximately 50 students from all four high schools in Elmore County are currently enrolled.
ECTC Director Emilie Johnson emphasized the challenges the program has overcome to reach this milestone.
“Until now, the students were working in a classroom much smaller than this with no lab space at all,” Johnson said. “They have been incredibly creative with limited resources.”
Johnson explained that students previously relied on unconventional solutions to gain hands-on experience.
“They’ve worked on a school bus that parks in our side lot, bringing it over when possible, and we’ve had a few diesel vehicles come through that could fit into the automotive lab,” she said. “Our automotive teacher has been very generous in sharing his space, but this new shop is going to take the program to the next level.”
The new diesel mechanic shop is fully equipped with industry-grade tools, including both a heavy-duty two-post lift and a four-post lift. Students will also have access to a new tire balancer and an alignment machine, allowing them to gain real-world experience with professional equipment.
Community and industry partnerships have played a key role in bringing the facility to life.
“We’ve had a lot of people who truly wanted to partner with us,” Johnson said. “Four Star Freightliner has really led the way in supporting this program, and Ford has stepped up by offering software. We’ve also had generous equipment donations, and we’re incredibly excited to get students in here and fully underway.”
This shop not only enhances hands-on learning opportunities for students but also strengthens Elmore County’s connection to local industry, preparing students for high-demand careers while supporting the workforce needs of the region.
