When Kyle Adair graduated from high school, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. Growing up with a father who worked as a mechanic, he had always enjoyed turning wrenches and working with equipment. What he didn't know was how to turn that passion into a career.

"I've known what I wanted to do. I just didn't know how to get there," Adair said.

That path led him to Central Tech's Diesel Technology program, but not in the way many people might expect. While many students attend Central Tech during their junior and senior years of high school, Adair took a different route. He enrolled as an adult learner after graduation, proving it's never too late to take the next step toward a career.

Through the CHOICES Tuition Waiver, Adair was able to attend tuition-free and begin building a future in the diesel industry. The waiver gave him the opportunity to take that next step without the financial burden that can often stand in the way of additional training.

To balance school with work, Adair started the program as a half-day student. The flexible schedule allowed him to continue earning a paycheck while building new skills and industry knowledge. After completing his first year, he decided to fully commit to his education and transitioned to full-time training. The additional time in the shop each day allowed him to build confidence, sharpen his skills, and take a more active role in projects.

"You're able to complete a task more efficiently because you might work with two different groups, but you know what the morning group did versus the afternoon," Adair said. "You can kind of help guide everybody else along. It allows you more time to dig into stuff." That extra time also helped him discover something unexpected about himself.

Under the guidance of Diesel Technology Instructor Liam Shaklee, students work on a wide variety of equipment. For Adair, that exposure opened doors he didn't know existed. "Mr. Shaklee's done a very good job of having you work on anything from light-duty pickups to tractors to semis," Adair said. "You get to know what you like to work on and what you don't like to work on. That's kind of a fun thing about it."

That variety helped Adair discover a career path he never expected. "I didn't know I liked working on tractors until I came here and started going through the coursework," he said. Like many adult learners, Adair entered the program with an interest in the field but without a clear understanding of where his interests would fit within the industry. The exposure to multiple types of equipment helped him find his niche and ultimately shaped his career direction.

Today, Adair works for P&K Equipment in Stillwater, where he puts those skills to work every day. His journey from adult learner to diesel technician shows how career training can help adults gain skills, earn certifications, and get to work faster.

Since beginning his career at P&K, Adair has continued to make an impact beyond the workplace. His strong work ethic and performance helped strengthen the relationship between Central Tech and the company, creating additional opportunities for future students.

According to Shaklee, Adair's transition from student to industry professional has come full circle. "Kyle has been a huge resource for Central Tech," Shaklee said. "He made a great impression at P&K and helped open the door for us to work more closely together." In just two years, Adair has gone from student to serving on the program's advisory committee, helping provide industry insight that supports the next generation of diesel technicians. "He's a great young man with a bright future ahead of him," Shaklee said. "I'm glad Central Tech was here to help him get the career he wanted started."

For Adair, the combination of hands-on training, industry-relevant experience, and certifications helped prepare him for the workforce. "It does make it easier to get hired if you have certificates," Adair said.

His advice is especially relevant for adults who may be considering a career change, pursuing additional training, or looking for a way to turn an interest into a profession. Sometimes the next step is simply finding the right path forward.