Seventeen-year-old Jasper Byrd’s career decisions mapped his path to the Diesel Equipment Technology program at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC).
Byrd, a student at Coahulla Creek High School, takes classes through the Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy in Dalton and is also enrolled in GNTC’s Dual Enrollment program, which allows high school students to enroll in college courses while still in high school to earn credit for both high school and college courses simultaneously. He attends GNTC’s Whitfield Murray Campus in Dalton and expects to earn his diploma in Diesel Equipment Technology in spring 2026.
“By my sophomore year, I began thinking about my future,” Byrd said. “I’m mechanically inclined and grew up working on equipment, semis and a little bit of everything.”
Byrd said he moved to the Dalton area at the time he started high school and lives in Whitfield County.
He was hired by Ford of Dalton, where he learned about teamwork, professionalism, customer service and handling inspections and repairs.
He is currently a shop mechanic at Tractor & Equipment Company (TEC) in Calhoun, where his duties include cleaning diesel engines, running diagnostic tests and performing pre-delivery services.
TEC sells new machines, rents and services machines, and provides machine and parts distribution; TEC has 20 locations across Alabama, Georgia and northwest Florida.
“Working at TEC is fun,” he said. “The job is a natural fit for me.”
His work experience and his coursework at GNTC prepared him for the diesel mechanic’s position at TEC, he said.
“At GNTC, I gained more comprehensive knowledge about parts and diagnostics,” Byrd said. “GNTC has given me a good foundation to start my career.”
Byrd said Sal Gonzalez, program director and instructor of Diesel Equipment Technology at GNTC, helped him to develop problem solving skills. Gonzalez taught him principles for working with diesel engines that must be learned from an experienced mechanic.
“Jasper has developed professionally at a rapid pace,” Gonzalez said. “The advancement and development of his skills, knowledge and experience within the Diesel Equipment Technology field have led to career progression and increased responsibilities for Jasper.”
Byrd also participates in his high school’s chapter of SkillsUSA, a national organization that empowers students to become skilled professionals who have mastered teamwork, communication, professionalism and leadership.
Byrd earned the gold medal in the Diesel Equipment Technology high school competition at the 2025 SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta. Gonzalez commended Byrd for this “impressive accomplishment.”
Byrd represented the Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy and the State of Georgia in the national contest, June 23-27, in Atlanta.
Byrd said he looks forward to representing GNTC at the collegiate SkillsUSA state competitions next year. He received his job offer at TEC because of his participation in SkillsUSA.
“Jasper’s mechanical and technical abilities are outstanding for a person at such a young age,” Gonzalez observed.
Gonzalez described Byrd as curious, diligent and engaged.
“When something doesn’t function like it should, Jasper goes the extra mile to figure out why and corrects the problem,” Gonzalez said.
Byrd said he plans to continue long-term with TEC and complete the company’s apprenticeship program in Birmingham. He hopes to attend classes for one week each month for 11 months to learn more about engines, hydraulics and transmissions.
Upon completing the apprenticeship program, he would be assigned to a service truck as a field service technician. He said he would enjoy the variety that traveling to different businesses and locations would provide.
Byrd plans to own his home by age 25, he said.
“I’ve tried to kick start my life,” Byrd said. “I want to be in a better place in my life at my age than the people who didn’t plan or put in the work. GNTC has helped me put my life in motion.”
“Jasper is very invested in learning,” Gonzalez stated.
Gonzalez sees a bright future for Diesel Equipment Technology graduates.
“The demand for diesel mechanics in the United States is high and projected to remain strong,” Gonzalez said. “This demand is driven by the continued use of diesel-powered vehicles and equipment across various industries.”
Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 13,775 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,836 students and an additional enrollment of 4,939 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start.
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