21st Century Equipment awarded Developing Youth Talent Initiative grant

21st Century Equipment awarded Developing Youth Talent Initiative grant
Receiving DYTI grants from left, MetalQuest VP/COO Scott Volk, Owen Palm, (at podium) Founder and CEO 21st Century Equipment, and Gov. Pete Ricketts. Courtesy Photo
August 16th, 2022 | cguzman

This year’s recipients of the Developing Youth Talent Initiative (DYTI) grants were announced on Aug. 15 by Governor Pete Ricketts. The grant recipients 21st Century Equipment and MetalQuest will each receive $125,000 to partner with area schools to provide learning experiences for seventh and eighth graders. 

“The technology that we’re deploying in today’s modern tractors and combines and sprayers requires a high degree of technological know-how,” said Owen Palm, Founder and CEO of 21st Century Equipment. “So we think that introducing seventh and eighth graders to the types of precision ag technology that’s being used today and will be used in the future is a great way to get these kids to get interested in stem learning first of all and then continue that in their education either after high school or to get into one of the technology programs that we offer here.”

21st Century Equipment will use its grant of $125,000 to purchase, construct, and assemble a mobile learning lab. 

“We’ve solicited support from 19 of the (Nebraska) Panhandle schools here, so virtually all of them have signed up to participate in this program,” he said.

The mobile lab will be a 45-foot trailer, which will have simulators, virtual reality stations, and instructors.  

“We’re really excited about it (lab), and it’s just kind of a fun way to really invest in our youth talent, and our team is really looking forward to putting this whole thing together,” Palm said. 

The 21st Century Equipment lab is expected to be rolling out to the schools in the first part of 2023.

Launched by the Governor in 2015, DYTI introduces middle school students to careers in industries such as manufacturing, information technology, engineering, and healthcare.  DYTI is administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED).

“The Developing Youth Talent Initiative encourages partnership between private sector companies and schools to expose middle schoolers to the rewarding careers we have right here in Nebraska,” Ricketts said.

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