On-The-Job Training While Earning Diesel Tech Degree

2024 - Volume #48, Issue #1, Page #06

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If you’re the kind of student who prefers to get your hands dirty in the shop to sitting in a classroom, the ThinkBIG program might be for you. Top that with an opportunity to be debt-free, earn a 2-year degree, and land a great-paying job.
    ThinkBIG is a Caterpillar-sponsored education program that teams its shops with local colleges to train technicians.
    “Caterpillar has 12 ThinkBIG programs in the U.S., and Butler sponsors two of them,” says Mike Sanden, Training and Development Director for Butler Machinery Co., in Fargo, N.D. In addition to working with the North Dakota State College in Wahpeton, N.D., Butler also teamed up with Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, S.D.
    In addition to ThinkBIG, which trains workers for Caterpillar equipment, Butler recently added ButlerMAX for training with agricultural equipment such as Fendt, Massey Ferguson, and CLAAS.
    “It’s a working educational program so students can work in a Butler shop while going to school. When accepted, they’re considered an employee,” Sanden says.
    After being accepted through an interview and application process, students begin a cycle of 8 weeks at college, then 8 weeks at a shop while earning a wage. After nine rotations, the student earns an associate degree in Diesel Technology, and they can immediately begin working as a technician in one of Butler’s 20 locations with pay starting at approximately $29.
    In addition to earning a wage while attending school, Butler and the state of North Dakota offer scholarships so that students often finish the program debt-free.
    “The thinking behind it is that many people getting into the diesel equipment field are hands-on learners,” Sanden explains. “People learn by doing under the supervision of a mentor. Also, the program is focused on our being part of a team and our culture - Butler is looking to form long-term relationships.”
    He suggests that high school students interested in careers in diesel check out the website (www.butlermachinery.com/opportunities-for-students/), which includes Work Study and Co-op opportunities in addition to ThinkBIG and ButlerMAX, which had 40 students last year. Enrollment is open for 2024.
    “We’re always looking for more technicians,” Sanden says. “Students have all kinds of different opportunities. We want to find the people who want to focus on diesel technology and opportunity with Butler to move from technician into other careers within Butler.”
    Students interested in careers with other agriculture and construction equipment companies such as John Deere and Titan Machinery may find similar programs by checking out their websites.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Butler Machinery, 3401 33rd St. S., Fargo, N.D. 58104 (ph 877-778-2230; mikesanden@butlermachinery.com; www.butlermachinery.com).

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On-The-Job Training While Earning Diesel Tech Degree REPOWERED EQUIPMENT If you’re the kind of student who prefers to get your hands dirty in the shop to sitting in a classroom the ThinkBIG program might be for you Top that with an opportunity to be debt-free earn a 2-year degree and land a great-paying job ThinkBIG is a Caterpillar-sponsored education program that teams its shops with local colleges to train technicians “Caterpillar has 12 ThinkBIG programs in the U S and Butler sponsors two of them ” says Mike Sanden Training and Development Director for Butler Machinery Co in Fargo N D In addition to working with the North Dakota State College in Wahpeton N D Butler also teamed up with Lake Area Technical College in Watertown S D In addition to ThinkBIG which trains workers for Caterpillar equipment Butler recently added ButlerMAX for training with agricultural equipment such as Fendt Massey Ferguson and CLAAS “It’s a working educational program so students can work in a Butler shop while going to school When accepted they’re considered an employee ” Sanden says After being accepted through an interview and application process students begin a cycle of 8 weeks at college then 8 weeks at a shop while earning a wage After nine rotations the student earns an associate degree in Diesel Technology and they can immediately begin working as a technician in one of Butler’s 20 locations with pay starting at approximately $29 In addition to earning a wage while attending school Butler and the state of North Dakota offer scholarships so that students often finish the program debt-free “The thinking behind it is that many people getting into the diesel equipment field are hands-on learners ” Sanden explains “People learn by doing under the supervision of a mentor Also the program is focused on our being part of a team and our culture - Butler is looking to form long-term relationships ” He suggests that high school students interested in careers in diesel check out the website www butlermachinery com/opportunities-for-students/ which includes Work Study and Co-op opportunities in addition to ThinkBIG and ButlerMAX which had 40 students last year Enrollment is open for 2024 “We’re always looking for more technicians ” Sanden says “Students have all kinds of different opportunities We want to find the people who want to focus on diesel technology and opportunity with Butler to move from technician into other careers within Butler ” Students interested in careers with other agriculture and construction equipment companies such as John Deere and Titan Machinery may find similar programs by checking out their websites Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Butler Machinery 3401 33rd St S Fargo N D 58104 ph 877-778-2230; mikesanden@butlermachinery com; www butlermachinery com

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