Careers

CAT Dealer Academy

CATERPILLAR DEALER ACADEMY

Program Objective:

The Caterpillar Dealer Academy is a cooperative two-year college level student technician education program, which leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree with a major in Caterpillar Service Technology. Florence Darlington Technical College, working in close relationship with Carolina Tractor, administers the program activities. The Program is exclusively by and for Cat Dealerships.

Program Purpose:

The purpose of the program is to upgrade the technical competency and professional level of incoming Caterpillar Dealership service technicians. It trains the students to analytically diagnose, service and maintain Caterpillar products using recommended procedures, special tools, and service information. It provides course content that will enable successful graduates to advance in position after additional experience, and to understand new systems and components as they are introduced.

Program Structure:

The two-year program incorporates approximately one-half of the time for technical/academic education at Florence-Darlington Technical College, with the remaining time allocated for on-the-job experience at sponsoring Caterpillar dealerships. Each block of technical education and general education course work is followed by an immediate dealership work experience time period, which reinforces the technical education. These time periods are approximately eight weeks in length. It is essential for the success of the program that the students' education at Florence-Darlington Technical college and dealership work experiences be closely aligned.

Since considerable time is spent at the dealership, it is a requirement of the program that students have a sponsoring Caterpillar Dealership prior to enrollment. The primary responsibility of the dealership is to provide training-related employment for the students during the program. Hands on Training

Students in the Caterpillar Dealer Academy are expected to work all available hours, such as school holidays and breaks, in the dealership.

All tuition, fees, textbooks, travel expenses and housing costs are the responsibility of the student. In addition to these costs, the students are required to purchase a prescribed tool set if they do not already have one. Gregory Poole has developed a Student Tool Program to assist students in purchasing tooling needed for the program. The tools included are almost 45% off the list price and may be paid for by working within the dealership full time for three years.

Program Curriculum: Virtual Training

Technical training on Caterpillar equipment and components includes the latest developments in: engine repair; hydraulic systems; electronic systems; test procedures and diagnostic tools.

In addition to the technical curriculum, courses will be offered in areas such as Math; Composition/Technical Writing; Psychology, U.S. History; U.S. Government; Business and Ethics to provide students with the background necessary for effective communication of ideas and the development of interpersonal skills.

Purpose of the Internship:

The paid internship allows students to apply, in a real world setting, what they have learned during the previous classroom/lab sessions. In addition, students become familiar with the dealership environment, its organizational structure, and the competencies that are expected of a professional service technician. Students will be responsible for maintaining an Intern Log Book during the internship periods which consist of dealer information, contact information, a list of specific objectives for the internship period, personal safety reminders and blank "Service Reports" sheets to record the daily learning accomplishments. This may include a short summary of activities performed, equipment used, systems used, people contacted, training achieved or any other event that has significance related to the internships.

Student Qualifications:

18 years of age (or older) by the time of the first internship.
High school graduate, or equivalent.
Able to meet Florence-Darlington Technical College and Caterpillar Dealership admission and academic requirements.
Sponsorship by a Caterpillar Dealership
Possess a valid driver's license and maintain an employable driving record.
Willing to take a drug test and background check.
Sincere about becoming the best service technician he/she can be.

Student Responsibilities:

Responsible for all tuition and fees required for graduation from the program.
Responsible for the purchase of recommended tools for the program.
Obtain and maintain a Caterpillar Dealer sponsor throughout the program.
Maintain appropriate work experience expectations such as attendance, safety, quality, work effort, etc.
Participate in all learning activities at scheduled times.
Remain in good social standing with the faculty and college administration.
Maintain academic standards necessary for continued dealer sponsorship of the internship and acceptably in the Caterpillar Dealer Technician program. This requires maintaining a cumulative minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 point system. Should a grade point average fall below this minimum, the Dealer Support (paid internship) may be suspended until the grades recover.
Maintain a "Training Log Book" of daily activities, and experiences,
Conduct him/herself in a manner that will reflect credit upon him/herself, the dealer, and the educational institution.
Responsible for proper dress for school and work, and conform to the rules and dress regulations of the dealer. This will require the wearing of dealer uniform while at the school and at the dealership.
In the event the student is required to be absent, inform the dealer internship coordinator or their instructor prior to the absence.
Dishonesty on the part of the student will result in the immediate removal from the Caterpillar Dealer Academy.

Student Selection Procedures:

Students who wish to become members of the Caterpillar Dealer Academy should make application early in the spring semester (January - March) if possible. This will allow time for processing financial aid packages, identification of preparatory class needs, sponsorship acquisition, etc. The application process includes the following:

Complete Florence-Darlington Technical College Application for Admission.
Complete the student assessment process.
Submit a current official driving record.
Complete preparatory class needs prior to the start of the program.

Students who successfully complete the admission process are eligible to interview with a Caterpillar Dealership. The interview should take place at the dealership and participant's goals should be discussed. All students must have a dealer sponsor before enrollment can be completed.

After acceptance by Florence-Darlington Technical College and the Caterpillar Dealership the students will be formally admitted into the Caterpillar Dealer Academy.

For More Information Please Contact: CAT Academy Recruiter

Training Group