business backgrounder | education & workforce
Tractor Training in Walla Walla
The only John Deere technician training program on the West Coast is a tried-and-true example of apprenticeship in action .
Brian Mittge
The John Deere Technology program at Walla Walla Community College just graduated its 25th cohort . As it marks its quarter-century , it also celebrates its strong relationship with dealerships in its service area across the western United States .
At A Glance
A new John Deere tractor has more computers on it than the original space shuttle .
Students from as far away as
California and Wyoming come to Walla Walla Community College to take part in their
John Deere technician program , which is the only one on the
West Coast .
John Deere established its tech program in 1989 and now sponsors programs at
24 colleges across the United States and Canada . Walla Walla
Community College joined the program in 1994 .
John Deere Technology at
Walla Walla Community College : dept . wwcc . edu / john-deere /
John Deere Tech Program : www . deere . com / en / our-company / john-deere-careers / dealer-technician-training / jd-tech /
Sophie Ventura , right , looks over a hydraulics training bench at Walla Walla Community College ’ s John Deere Tech program .
WALLA WALLA — Sophie Ventura grew up on a walnut and almond farm in Modesto , Calif ., but rather than go into the family business of farming , she ’ s now busy in Walla Walla studying how to become a certified John Deere technician , learning how to repair the machines used in her orchards and on countless other family farms .
“ I ’ m learning a lot ,” she told Washington Business in October , during her first month in the two-year program . “ I ’ ve never been to college before . This is a first for me .”
“ This is all hands-on ,” she said as she connected hydraulic hoses at a workstation with a partner in a clean , open room with autumn Walla Walla sunshine pouring through open bay doors .
Across the spacious training room , Theron Harter of Lebanon , Ore ., was busy with a similar task . “ I grew up loving engines ,” he said , explaining why he chose to enroll in this program at Walla Walla Community College . “ It was a great opportunity in an industry I
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