Construction engineering students are gaining valuable hands-on experience with modern heavy equipment thanks to a major industry partnership supporting the future of sustainable construction education.
On April 23, representatives from UConn Engineering, Tyler Equipment Corporation, and the Connecticut's Local 478 Operator's Union gathered outside the Castleman Building to celebrate the donation of a Volvo Electric L20 Wheel Loader to the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s construction engineering and management (CEM) program.
The donated equipment will provide students with direct experience operating modern heavy machinery while learning about emerging technologies transforming the construction industry.
“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,” said Tyler Equipment Marketing Coordinator, Courtney Rush. “We’re excited to partner with UConn to help prepare the next wave of engineers and construction professionals.”
The electric wheel loader is being integrated into an operator training course offered to students pursuing the construction engineering and management minor. Through the course, students gain experience with machine operations, safety procedures, digital controls, and intelligent onboard systems increasingly used on construction sites.
“We are incredibly grateful to Tyler Equipment for this impactful donation,” said Kay Wille, director of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “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 initiative is also supported by Connecticut's Local 478 Operator's Union, which is assisting with course development and providing heavy equipment simulators for student instruction.
Students begin by training on simulators before progressing to hands-on operation of the electric loader. The experience helps students better understand equipment operations on active construction sites while emphasizing vehicle safety, sustainability, and intelligent construction systems.
The donated Volvo Electric L20 Wheel Loader also reflects the industry’s growing transition toward quieter, more efficient, and lower-emission equipment solutions.
The School’s construction engineering and management programs continue to expand, with approximately 40 students currently enrolled in the CEM minor. Leadership are also pursuing approval for a future bachelor’s degree program in construction engineering, management, and intelligent systems (CEMI), which would combine traditional construction engineering principles with data analytics, artificial intelligence, and modern project delivery methods.
The future degree program would emphasize construction methods, project and safety management, structural analysis and design, and both horizontal and vertical infrastructure systems to prepare graduates for evolving workforce demands.
