MUSCATINE, Iowa–Along with providing a sound classroom education, Muscatine High School’s agriculture teachers work hard to help students discover agriculture related careers that could suit them. Dec. 10, students took a trip to the Muscatine Agricultural Learning Center to hear first hand from Sinclair Tractor what it takes to have a career as a John Deere Certified Technician and how it can lead to other career options in the future.

Dave Tometich, one of Muscatine High School’s agriculture teachers, explained that due to a growing need for trained technicians, Sinclair Tractor has contacted local schools to share information about working as a technician. “There’s such a high demand for technicians that they reach out to high school ag programs to see if they could present,” he explained.

The department welcomed the opportunity, as it allows teachers to stay current on the latest in agricultural technology while also allowing students to explore education and career opportunities they may not have even known about otherwise. “It’s good for us teachers also, and the students, to see what’s new out there,” he observed. “We feel it’s a great compliment to what we do each day–we’re trying to help them find their careers,” he added.

To work as a John Deere Certified Technician, high school graduates can reach out to Sinclair Tractor to get the sponsorship they need to attend the two-year John Deere TECH Program at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar. Students who participate in the program will receive $5,000 to put towards the tools they will need to complete the program. Upon graduation, students will work for Sinclair Tractor for at least three years. In return, Sinclair Tractor will pay off the $15,000 it cost them to attend the program. After students have several years’ experience as a certified technician, they can move into other roles at Sinclair Tractor, allowing them to advance their careers and do work they find enjoyable.

Over the course of the day, Sinclair Tractor gave their roughly 30-minute presentation to more than 300 Muscatine High School agriculture students. Along with discussing the John Deere TECH Program, the representatives also shared with students about the different types of advanced technology and automations farmers use and how much farmers rely on skillful technicians to keep their machinery performing at its very best. “We felt strongly enough about the technology and learning about the technology that we brought all our classes,” Tometich said.

Along with hearing about career opportunities, students got the opportunity to see first hand some of the technology Sinclair Tractor sells and services.