OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Staff at Marion Technical College are preparing students for takeoff as they get ready to launch two new programs.

Students interested in studying diesel technology and aviation mechanics can now start their studies here.

Director Gary Smallridge says people in Marion County have wanted this for years now.

“We have auto mechanics for regular cars and trucks, but we don’t have a diesel program,” said Smallridge.

Smallridge says with these machines, students will be able to lift semi trucks to work on them, and they’ll be working on planes as well.

He says it costs more than $6 million with help from state funding to bring these new resources.

“Fortunately for us, we were approved for the full funding to build the diesel mechanics building and our aviation mechanic

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