![]() ![]() “Basically, they are trained to repair or diagnose everything in the field except the internals of the diesel engine, transmissions, and hydrostats, which are usually done in the sanitary environment at the dealership or the specialized remanufacture center,” says Butt. In essence, they’ll be product specialists in the field. ![]() The ECC students will not only learn to repair units, but will also be capable of operating and training others on the operation of various units. For example, ECC students may fix a sprayer, then calibrate a monitor and advise the owner about a potential equipment upgrade, then service a skid steer loader. With all of the proprietary product information and programming that’s involved, the opportunities are almost endless.”ĮCC’s Mobile Service Technician program differs from other ag machinery technician or diesel mechanic programs, says Butt, because ECC students will spend considerable time on various components that are not typically covered elsewhere. ![]() Some of these professionals love the variety and the challenge that comes with being a mobile service technician, while others can choose to develop a niche and become product specialists. We just don’t have enough people with these skills. More of our work is leaning this way, and it’s resulted in mobile service technicians with literally hundreds of specialized skills. “These professionals will do repairs or pull and replace parts out in the field and get the owners going very quickly. “This new program at Ellsworth is right on the leading edge, and it’s going to be a big deal in the industry,” says Stockdale. With job prospects always a concern for college graduates, we believe this kind of industry involvement and support will go a long way in solidifying our recruitment efforts for the Mobile Service Technician program.”ĮCC credits Dale Stockdale, store manager at Titan Machinery in Williams, with having the vision for the new degree program. “These professionals have been involved in the development of our new curriculum and in our marketing efforts, and they are looking forward to helping us provide the kind of hands-on, on-the-job training that they and other employers value so highly. Equipment, Central Iowa Farm Store, Phelps Implement, and Titan Machinery,” says Butt. ![]() “We have several outstanding area ag dealerships represented on the Advisory Council for this new program, including Casady Bros. ECC’s new Mobile Service Technician degree program will assist agricultural implement dealers and service organizations in providing quality service to ag producers in the field.”īutt says he has a long list of Iowa and Midwest ag equipment dealers who are anxious to have the ECC students as interns and then as qualified graduates who will apply for their job openings. Today, more than ever, dealers need to provide services at the customers’ location. “As the size of ag equipment continues to increase, it has become harder to load and transport the equipment to a dealer’s location for repairs. “This is a relatively new but fast-growing sector in modern agriculture,” explains Kevin Butt, ECC agriculture professor. Photo courtesy of Ellsworth Community College The truck includes a crane that can lift up to 7,000 pounds, as well as all the tools and equipment needed to service virtually any agricultural machinery that needs to be diagnosed and repaired in the field. This Titan Machinery mobile service truck is like those that will be used for training students in Ellsworth Community College’s new Mobile Service Technician program. According to ECC Agriculture Professor Kevin Butt, the program is the first of its kind in the nation. Beginning this fall, the new Mobile Service Technician program will train students to diagnose, repair and service agricultural equipment in rural locations using a specially-equipped service truck. With agriculture-related degree programs already among its most popular offerings, Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls is adding a new Mobile Service Technician program to its list of degrees available. ![]()
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