Alumni in Action: Sam Hayne
With a path that started in CCA’s Diesel Power Mechanics program and led to an instructor position with Wagner Equipment, CCA Alumni Sam Hayne forged his own way to success with Career Technical Education. Watch his story now and learn more about CCA’s Diesel Power Mechanic Program at https://ccaurora.edu
Video by: Dept. of Strategic Communications
Sam Hayne is taking students from the classroom right into the shop. As an instructor for Wagner Training Institute (WTI), he trains diesel mechanic students to work on heavy equipment and helps prepare them for their future careers.
It’s a familiar place for Hayne, as he was in the same spot less than a decade ago as an apprentice through a partnership between the Community College of Aurora and Wagner Equipment Co.
“I actually got accepted here at Wagner for the apprenticeship program through CCA. It was a really good opportunity for me, and it was really fun,” Hayne said.
The apprenticeship, which operates as a partnership with the Wagner Training Institute and CCA’s Diesel Power Mechanics program, offers students like Sam an opportunity to get hands-on training in their field and provides a direct pipeline to employment with Wagner after completing their degree.
Hayne graduated in 2018 with an associate degree in Diesel Power Mechanics and began working for Wagner as a shop technician before being promoted to an instructor.
“My experience with the program was really good.”
The experience new technicians receive under the guidance and training of instructors like Hayne is intensive. Hayne says Wagner trains more than 100 new technicians each year in a range of specialized technologies, with a core focus on powertrains and engines. It’s exactly the type of training employers look for in new graduates.
“When they leave here, they have very good knowledge of the basic systems, making them more advanced and better technicians overall.”
With the completion of CCA’s new Center for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) set for fall 2025, students will have even more state-of-the-art resources to enhance their technical education. Hayne believes CCA’s collaboration with Wagner is crucial to advancing the industry in Colorado.
“I think that relationship is very, very critical. I think it’s a good thing to see the brand-new building and people investing in the future of the technicians and the actual blue-collar labor that we have,” he said. “The demand is going so crazy right now, even if it’s electric-powered. It’s crazy how much we’re expanding.”
Reflecting on his own journey from student to instructor, Hayne is proud of how far he’s come and appreciative of the guidance he received at CCA.
“It made my career start out very fast-paced. Within a year, I had a lot of knowledge. Within two years, I was ready to be by myself. It was very nice to have that backing.”
For anyone considering a career in diesel technology, Sam encourages them to explore the opportunities that programs like CCA’s can provide.
“There are so many opportunities after going through that program. You don’t have to just stay on the diesel side of things. It opens up so many avenues. I always encourage people to advance their careers and advance their education.”
His journey from CCA student to instructor is a testament to the power Career and Technical Education can have in unlocking opportunities.
If you are interested in learning about CCA’s programs and finding your own career path, visit https://ccaurora.edu/programs/.