Construction engineering students will be able to round out their theoretical education with hands-on heavy equipment experience, courtesy of a large donation by a local equipment retailer.
Tyler Equipment Corporation will gift the UConn College of Engineering with a Volvo Electric L20 Wheel Loader for UConn’s construction engineering and management (CEM) program.
“We are incredibly grateful to Tyler Equipment for this impactful donation,” said School of Civil and Environmental Engineering director Kay Wille. “We want our students to be educated on the latest industry trends and technologies. Through generous partners, we can ensure our students are ready to make positive contributions to the engineering and construction fields.”
The wheel loader will be used in an operator’s course offered to UConn’s CEM minor students.
“As the construction industry continues to evolve toward more sustainable and technologically advanced solutions, it’s critical that students gain hands-on experience with the equipment shaping the future of the field,” says Tyler Equipment marketing coordinator Courtney Rush. “We’re excited to partner with UConn to help prepare the next wave of engineers and construction professionals.”
Connecticut’s Local 478 Operator’s Union will aid in course construction, and provide a simulator. Students will become familiarized with machine operations as well as innovations in construction equipment, including electronic equipment and on-board intelligent systems.
“As the construction industry continues to evolve with new technologies—such as automation, digital controls, and data-driven job site management—our training programs ensure that members stay ahead of the curve,” says Local 478 Director of Training and Fund Administrator Gregg Strede. “By combining proven instructional methods with innovative simulation tools, we prepare a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of modern construction.”
There are approximately 40 students in the CEM program currently, and enrollment is continuously growing.
According to Kay, through this donation, students will better understand how real machinery operators might work on construction sites. Students will learn about vehicle safety, and after being trained on the simulator, will learn how to drive and steer.
The electric vehicle is a quiet, efficient, and sustainable option for construction sites.
Currently, students can select the CEM minor. Engineering leadership are hopeful a new bachelor of science degree in construction engineering, management and intelligent systems (CEMI) will be approved and instated in the future.
The major will emphasize fundamentals in construction engineering and construction management, combined with modern tools in data capturing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. Advisory input and internships will keep coursework aligned with active practices in the state and national construction sector.
“Nationwide, the industry must attract hundreds of thousands of additional workers in the next few years to meet increasing construction demand,” Wille said. “As a school, we can scale collaboration with contractors and owners; align coursework with real project requirements; and expand internships and senior design projects that integrate design, sustainability, and delivery constraints.”
The degree will be designed to produce practice-ready graduates by emphasizing construction means and methods; project and safety management; structural analysis and design for construction, building, and infrastructure systems; as well as horizontal and vertical construction.
All are welcome to learn more about the donation and the CEM program in an upcoming event. UConn Engineering, Tyler Equipment, Volvo Construction Equipment, Local 478 will gather on April 23 at 11 a.m. in front of the Castleman Building to hand over the keys.
