HutchCC Partners With John Deere Dealers to Launch Agriculture Technician Program
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College will launch a new Agriculture Service Technician program this fall through a partnership with PrairieLand Partners and AgriVision Equipment Group, offering students the opportunity to become certified John Deere technicians.
The program, which begins with its first cohort in fall 2025, makes HutchCC a John Deere Dealer Sponsored School. Students will take courses from certified John Deere technicians who serve as HutchCC faculty members.
The curriculum includes Electronic Diagnostics, Hydraulic Diagnostics, Engine Air and Exhaust Systems Diagnostics, and Engine Aftertreatment SCR Systems Diagnostics. Students will also complete core curriculum courses at the college's south campus location near Yoder.
Industry Partnership Addresses Workforce Shortage
"We as an organization continue to face challenges in higher learning with capacity issues and options for students that want to pursue careers in diesel technology," said Reed Allen, director of aftermarket for PrairieLand Partners and AgriVision Equipment. "We felt that partnering with an institution with such a strong reputation like Hutchinson Community College was an obvious choice to provide a high-quality diesel technology program."
PrairieLand Partners and AgriVision Equipment plan to increase their technician capacity by 25% over the next couple of years. The companies operate 31 locations across Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, employing approximately 950 people.
Career Opportunities and Student Interest
Dr. Tricia Paramore, HutchCC president, said the college was "very excited for an opportunity to expand our agriculture technology program. We have students that want to go into agriculture technology and have expressed an interest in a program like this," she said.
Graduates will have employment opportunities at any PrairieLand Partners and AgriVision Equipment locations throughout Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa.
"This is an outstanding opportunity for our students, our local economy, and the communities served by the college and PrairieLand Partners," said Sheldon Stewart, HutchCC Department Chairperson.
About the Partnership
PrairieLand Partners and AgriVision Equipment Group are John Deere dealers specializing in agricultural, turf, commercial application, and compact construction equipment. Hutchinson Community College serves nearly 5,000 credit students each semester at its main Hutchinson campus and outreach locations in McPherson and Newton.
Students in the program will have the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree while becoming John Deere Certified Technicians. The partnership represents an expansion of similar technical training programs PrairieLand Partners sponsors at other community colleges in the region.