John Deere TECH program at NICC receives Platinum level ranking In "College Of Tomorrow" scorecard


Learning in a Platinum institution ... Duane Bouska (right), John Deere TECH program instructor, trains students for employment as technicians for a John Deere Dealership. Pictured is student Danielle Christopher of Bluffton. Christopher graduated from the program in 2016. Submitted photo.

The John Deere TECH program at Northeast Iowa Community College’s (NICC) Calmar campus has earned a Platinum "College of Tomorrow" score from John Deere. The John Deere TECH program at NICC prepares students for work as a service technician at John Deere implement dealerships throughout Iowa and the Midwest. One of the program’s most unique features is its close partnership with John Deere, which virtually ensures that qualified students will have a technician position with the company after graduation.

The partnership between the company and the College features an internship component at a dealership, and each entering student must secure a John Deere sponsor. When students complete requirements for the two-year degree, as well as a demonstration of their skills, they are hired by the sponsoring dealership.

Each year, John Deere evaluates its partnering institution technician programs on a variety of criteria, including instructor development, internships, dealer advisory board utilization, program enrollment, facilities/image, processes, scholarships and safety. This year, the NICC program rose to a Platinum ranking after Gold evaluations in 2014 and 2016 and a Silver ranking in 2015. There are four "College of Tomorrow" levels - Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

The higher ranking is owed in part to the many renovations and upgrades completed in 2016 for the facility that houses the John Deere TECH program, the Agriculture Technology Building. The Agriculture Technology Building renovation project included upgrades and enhancements to all John Deere TECH classrooms and lab areas, new roofing, doors, lighting, overhead hoists, computer lab and electrical and mechanical needs. The interior renovation included lobby upgrades, updates to the front entrance, lobby and office areas, as well as enhancements to display and seating areas.

“The renovated facility accommodates an increase in the number of students we can teach, from the 32-36 previously to the 44 students per year that we are now accepting,” noted Duane Bouska, John Deere TECH instructor. “We have more than 600 graduates from the John Deere TECH program in the U.S. Four instructors are devoted specifically to the program, and they are very actively involved in the students’ success. We also take advantage of the many training opportunities with John Deere to keep current with industry.”

Kathy Johnson, a human resources professional for Iowa-based Van Wall Equipment, believes that the College’s John Deere TECH program is the best conduit of talent and knowledge for company’s skilled employee needs.

“Our best plan to find a great technician is to put students and prospective employees through the John Deere TECH program at Northeast Iowa Community College. That’s how they obtain the experience we are looking for, and this is how we fill the technicians for our workforce,” Johnson said.

State of Iowa Accelerated Careers in Education (ACE) funding to the College supported the renovation project. For more information on the John Deere TECH program at NICC, visit www.nicc.edu/jdtech.