New apprenticeship program aims to address a shortage of rural technicians.File photo
The U.S. Department of Labor has approved a new registered apprenticeship program from equipment manufacturer John Deere.
The company, headquartered in Moline, Ill., will make the program available to its agriculture and turf, and construction and forestry dealers, said a July 17 news release on the John Deere website.
“The program will help address a widespread shortage of service technicians, especially in rural areas across the country, by providing dealers with a formalized, on-the-job and technical training plan to help them develop more highly skilled employees,” the release said.
Grant Suhre, a regional director of customer and product support for John Deere Ag & Turf, said in the release that the new program will complement the company’s existing tech program.
“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,” Suhre said. “Upon completion of the apprenticeship, he or she will receive a nationally recognized journeyworker certificate."
Participating dealers “formally commit” to an “earn-while you learn program” to develop additional talent, the release noted. The apprenticeships involve structured on-the-job training with experienced mentors.
"Because of the earn-while-you-learn nature of the program, it will help dealers more easily recruit new employees and further develop a highly skilled workforce," the release quoted Tim Worthington, manager of customer support for John Deere’s construction and forestry division.
Dealers can collaborate with various local organizations as part of the program. They include K-12 schools, colleges, labor groups, and the John Deere Tech program.
Those wishing more information are asked to contact their local John Deere dealer.
For more about the company itself, visit www.johndeere.com.