PARKERSBURG -- Students at the Wood County Technical Center will now have the chance to learn about and work on a locally made truck.
Friday afternoon Hino Motors Manufacturing USA representatives handed the keys to the truck to Wood County Technical Center director Doug Kiger.
"We think there is a lot of value in training," said Joe Chronley, general manager of the Williamstown Hino plant.
The truck will be used as a training aid in Auto Technology and Collision Repair classes at the center, which includes students from Parkersburg, Parkersburg South and Williamstown high schools, said Bill Wright, automotive teacher.
"It will be here for a long time and will help teach a lot of students," Wright said.
Kiger said the truck will be the cornerstone of the automotive department.
"It's everything," he said. "Our main focus for these students is to prepare them for a future in the workforce, and this truck will be a big part of that."
Wright said it is his goal to make the students more marketable to potential employers and Hino hopes the same thing.
"All of these people are potential future employees for us," Chronley said.
The truck given to the technical center is just one part of Hino's commitment to local education.
"It's our goal to put together an education system to build the community," Chronley said.
Hino also gave a diesel truck engine to Washington State Community College in Marietta Friday.
Hino has also set up a local scholarship fund for four students for four years to equal $16,000 per year.
