General Equipment & Supplies Inc. KOMATSU PROGRAM with NDSCS

Words by ALISSA MAIER

Photography by KENSIE WALLNER PHOTOGRAPHY

There comes a time in a parent’s life when they worry about what their child will do after high school. Maybe their children will have a future as a police officer, doctor or mechanic. Regardless of their child’s decision, there will likely need to be a very serious discussion on career choices, where to attend and how to pay for school. Ann Pollert, technician and career developer with General Equipment and Supplies Inc., speaks with students all across the area about the opportunities available to them after high school and how to find a career that will best fit their desires. As a recruiter she talks to students about getting an education and the options available to pay for school. She speaks with high school students about their futures and encourages them to consider job shadowing and internships. Pollert states, “I talk about people like Steve Jobs and Mike Rowe to have kids relate to careers and passion—tell them they have to like what they do because work is a large part of life.” In just this past year, Pollert has traveled to more than 46 schools, career fairs and other events. Her goal is to get every student thinking about their future and to encourage them to open up the conversations about how they plan to pay for school with their parents.

Pollert’s role as a recruiter stems from the program that was launched this past year with collaboration from North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton and General Equipment in Fargo. The program provides students attending NDSCS the opportunity to learn from and work alongside diesel mechanics at General Equipment. The students have an opportunity to receive training on Komatsu heavy construction equipment through classroom instruction, hands-on instruction and work experience. Students are required to gain admission to NDSCS and apply to the program with General Equipment. In return, they will receive 100 percent tuition reimbursement along with a guaranteed job when they finish school. Pollert states, “General Equipment wanted a program to ensure their workforce. It is a great opportunity for students that are interested in going into diesel.”

Each career path is different, but gaining access to most careers through additional schooling will always come at a cost. Pollert states, “I know that not all kids are interested in being a diesel technician, but my goal is to find those that are, while making an impact to other kids I talk to.” Parents don’t always talk to their children at a young age about their career path and paying for school, and Pollerts goal is to get a few more hands raised when she poses that particular question of who has had this discussion with their parents.

701-364-2181 apollert@genequip.com