apprenticeship program

A new John Deere Registered Apprenticeship Program for its Agriculture & Turf and Construction & Forestry dealers has been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. The program provides dealers with a formalized, on-the-job and technical training plan to develop more highly skilled employees and help address a widespread shortage of service technicians, especially in rural areas across the country. “The new Registered Apprenticeship Program complements our existing John Deere TECH program,” says Grant Suhre, director, region 4 customer and product support for John Deere Ag & Turf. “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.” Through participation in the program, dealers formally commit to developing additional talent in an earn-while-you-learn setting. As training progresses, apprentices are rewarded for new skills acquired. “This can improve a dealer’s productivity and profit potential as employee turnover costs are reduced and employees are retained longer,” says Tim Worthington, manager, customer support for the John Deere Construction and Forestry Division. “In addition, John Deere customers benefit from access to more highly skilled dealer personnel who are servicing or supporting their equipment.” John Deere dealers can also collaborate with any number of local organizations as part of the Registered Apprenticeship Program. These organizations include, but are not limited to: the John Deere TECH Program; K-12 schools; community colleges; labor organizations; ...