OLDS, Alta. – A $1 million deal has been signed between John Deere Ltd. and Olds College.
The implement company gave the college $410,000 to build a 7,500 sq. foot facility adjacent to the agricultural mechanics building this July. It will include classrooms, a library and office space.
Along with cash, Deere is donating equipment, tools, components and instructor training making the deal worth $1 million.
The college will train John Deere mechanics and parts specialists to work in dealerships across Canada.
This marks the first time in North America where the company has associated itself directly with an agricultural college to train its staff, said Deere president and general manager Greg Clark.
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John Deere has more than 35 dealerships in Alberta and wants a central training site for staff.
“We’re trying to bring a lot more training closer to where they operate. It’s an annoyance for Albertans to have to go to Saskatchewan for training,” said Clark.
Deere used to do its own training but found as machinery became more sophisticated it couldn’t keep up so it decided to form a partnership with the college, he said.
Mechanics apprentices employed by Deere will receive eight weeks of specialized training. Students already enrolled in the Olds heavy equipment technician course may also use the equipment provided by Deere.
The company has had a partnership with the college since the 1980s when it donated training aids including diesel engines, hydraulics and technical manuals for mechanics students.
Deere also has in-house training programs in Regina, Saskatoon and Grimsby, Ont.
