John Deere has received approval for its new Registered Apprenticeship Program, and will make it available to its Agriculture & Turf and Construction & Forestry dealers. According to the company, the program will help address a shortage of service technicians, providing dealers with an on-the-job and technical training plan to help them develop skilled employees.
“The new Registered Apprenticeship Program complements our existing John Deere TECH program,” Grant Suhre, director, region 4 customer and product support, said in a press release. “In addition to the on-the-job training experience, an apprentice will receive technical instruction and be assigned a personal mentor as a part of the highly organized training structure. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, he or she will receive a nationally recognized journeyworker certificate.”
John Deere dealers who wish to participate can receive support and technical assistance from John Deere and Jobs for the Future (JFF), who will expedite the registration process with their state or federal apprenticeship agency.
Dealers can also collaborate with any number of local organizations as part of the program, including the John Deere TECH Program, K-12 schools, community colleges, labor organizations, and more. After registering, dealers can enter employees into the Agriculture Equipment Technician or Heavy Construction Equipment Mechanic programs.
When apprentices participate, they track and report their on-the-job learning and technical training time in conjunction with their employer. Through participation in the program, dealers develop additional talent in an earn-while-you-learn program. As training progresses, apprentices are rewarded for new skills acquired.
Source: John Deere
