John Deere TECH program at NICC earns another Platinum ranking, among best in US

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

There are four College of Tomorrow levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. The NICC program is one of three nationally to earn Platinum designation this year.

CALMAR, Iowa–The John Deere TECH program at Northeast Iowa Community College’s Calmar campus has earned the highest-ranking Platinum College of Tomorrow score from John Deere for the sixth time in seven years.

The John Deere TECH program at NICC is unique in Iowa and prepares students for work as service technicians at John Deere dealerships throughout the state and the Midwest. The program, its faculty and students maintain a close partnership with John Deere, which virtually ensures qualified students will have a technician position with a dealership after graduation.

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

“We are continually making improvements to our program to align with goals set by John Deere and the College,” said lead John Deere TECH instructor Duane Bouska. “The Platinum College of Tomorrow indicates that we are on track, meeting and exceeding the goals established with our program faculty, students, advisory committee members and College leadership.”

In the past year Deere has also invested in the NICC program through donations of technology and equipment, according to Bouska. The company contributed a new 15L engine, ExactEmerge planter row unit to update the College’s planter and new precision farming equipment.

All John Deere TECH program instructors at NICC have extensive work experience at John Deere dealerships and have 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, Matt Johnson and Kevin Richards.

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 and demonstrate 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 nicc.edu/jdtech.