John Deere TECH program at NICC receives fourth Platinum ranking, among best in US

Thursday, October 6, 2022

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.

CALMAR, Iowa–The John Deere TECH program at Northeast Iowa Community College’s Calmar campus has earned its fourth highest-ranking Platinum College of Tomorrow score from John Deere.

The John Deere TECH program at NICC is the only one in the state of Iowa. The program 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.

Each year, John Deere evaluates its partnering institution technician programs on a variety of criteria. There are four College of Tomorrow levels – Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. The NICC program is one of eight nationally to earn Platinum designation this year.

“The College of Tomorrow program is an ongoing evaluation by John Deere of our performance as a John Deere TECH school. The criteria used for the evaluation is based upon instructor training, interaction with the dealerships for student internships, dealer Advisory Committee meetings, facilities and image, student numbers and retention and safety. We are continually making improvements to meet goals set by John Deere and the College,” said lead John Deere TECH instructor Duane Bouska.

All John Deere TECH program instructors at NICC have extensive work experience at John Deere dealerships, as well as having completed ongoing training and professional development courses through Deere that help prepare students for technician positions at dealerships. In addition to Bouska, instructors are Neil Grube, Kevin Richards and Matt Johnson.

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. Students complete requirements for the two-year degree, as well as a demonstration of their skills, to secure employment at a dealership. Graduates have maintained a 100 percent pass rate for John Deere Electrical, Hydraulic and Service ADVISOR Certifications and a 100 percent pass rate for MACS Air Conditioning Certification.

For more information on the John Deere TECH program at NICC, visit www.nicc.edu/jdtech.