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Union Pacific Railroad has partnered with a North Platte, Neb., college to advance the university’s rail operations curriculum and widen the pool of potential UP recruits.

Today, the Class I announced it entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mid-Plains Community College to create diesel technology and electrical technology courses within the university’s Associate of Applied Science program. The MOU extends through June 30, 2012.

In addition, the parties will jointly develop a competency-based evaluation that meets rail industry standards for students enrolled in the diesel and electrical courses.

After courses begin Aug. 20, UP will provide students career information, including job requirements. The railroad will reimburse the majority of tuition expenses for graduates in either the diesel or electrical technology tracts who are hired by UP as an apprentice diesel mechanic or diesel electrician.

“This agreement … demonstrates that quality education is the key to ensuring the next generation of railroad employees is well-prepared to maintain Union Pacific’s locomotive fleet and will help increase the likelihood that a sufficient number of trained personnel are available, particularly in the North Platte area,” said Roy Schroer, UP assistant vice president-recruitment, in a prepared statement.