TSTC launches new version of John Deere specialization program

(WACO, Texas) - Texas State Technical College's Diesel Equipment Technology program has fine-tuned its John Deere specialization, welcoming more than 15 students this fall semester to the Waco campus to work on certificates of completion and associate degrees.

"The dealerships are essentially handpicking these students and vetting them out before they join the program," said Houston Weaver, program team lead for the Diesel Equipment Technology program. "There is a more specific John Deere curriculum as well."

The previous version of the John Deere program only allowed students to earn an associate degree. Houston said now the certificate of completion makes it easier for technicians working at John Deere dealerships to attend the program.

"It is important for the companies to sponsor the students because they provide a job, tuition reimbursement, and in some cases they provide their tools, which can cost over $3,000," Weaver said.

Weaver said students are able to work at their John Deere dealerships during time off from classes.

"It alleviates the stress of not worrying about where or if they will have a job upon the completion of the program," Weaver said.

James Boone, director of marketing for Western Equipment in Clinton, Oklahoma, said having a John Deere certificate option enables the company to reach people not interested in an associate degree.

"As a company, we have done a lot to try to be an employer of choice for diesel technicians over a three-state area," he said. "With this being the first year at TSTC, we are looking forward to seeing at what level our 10 diesel technicians are upon graduation."

Students in the John Deere program this semester are from New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Hendrik Jansen Van Vuren, of Texline, Texas, was working at a chemical company when he heard about Western Equipment's agriculture tech program and wanted to be part of it. He is sponsored by Western Equipment in Dalhart and is working toward an associate degree in the John Deere specialization.

The native of South Africa said he has enjoyed learning such things as the difference between metric and standard bolts and how to determine the grade of them.

"I am as green as can be," he said. "I am picking up on things easily. I am enjoying it, and I feel like I can ask the instructors anything."

Matthew Tadlock grew up on a ranch in Paige, Texas, and graduated from Giddings High School, where he took welding classes. He is sponsored by RDO Equipment Co. in Pflugerville and is pursuing an associate degree.

He chose to study in the Diesel Equipment Technology program because he wanted to learn something new.

"I always thought fixing stuff with my hands was pretty cool," Tadlock said. "I feel accomplished when I can fix something and say I did that."

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

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