How to become a certified John Deere Ag Technician!

[@frasermathers2287]

Hi Zeth, well you do have an Attitude! Now before you go off on one, what I mean is the Correct Attitude and as a proud Scotsman watching you from Aberdeenshire Scotland, I wish more young guys had your attitude. Came here from the Millennium Farmers channel and like everything I see. You are very positive and constructive, stand up for what you believe is correct, promote a positivity about your role as a Master Tech with Sloan’s and JD and are one hell of a tech. I am retired now but started my career in farming then became a Heavy Equipment Tech and worked my way up to Management and Director level eventually owning my own businesses. If I could employ a 100 guys like you then my life would have been so much easier. I was lucky that I did have some good guys and I can tell you it’s good employees and management working together that make a business successful as it takes a Team to succeed. Good luck with your channel and your career. I have liked and subscribed and busy watching your back videos.

[@ZKMasterTech]

Thank you very much! I appreciate your kind words and I hope i can deliver some amazing content for you to enjoy!

[@j.ericswede7084]

Just subscribed to your Channel. I'm retired, work part time during planting season for a Farm that runs Green Machines. Thanks for helping to train the next generation of John Deere Mechanics. There is a John Deere Tech Program at Walla Walla Community College in Washington State.

[@ZKMasterTech]

Thank you! That’s what this channel is all about.

[@theheavywrench9549]

Great video 👍🏻 we need more people working on iron 👍🏻 it’s a great career for sure.

[@terrybenson3632]

The Sloan dealership location you're at, has a very impressive shop facility.. A few Deere dealerships near me (not Sloan), have pretty old, dark & dungy style shops. Your location looks very impressive.. Makes enjoying your job even more, when you have a nice place to work at.. Thanks for another excellent video.👌👌

[@mikekotarba5828]

Thanks for the video and talking on the certified wrench podcast about your career ZK mastertech

[@coers1986]

Glad I went through it. Wasn't sure what to do when I grew up but went through the John Deere Ag tech program and graduated in 2008. Worked at the dealer for awhile in Clinton then decided to move on and now work for Caterpillar authoring technical manuals. So it's definitely a great starting path to so much. I do miss the days of working at the dealer on Ag equipment. And great videos, glad to follow along your journey. Wasn't sure what dealer you're at but might know someone there if they went to school with me.

[@ZKMasterTech]

Sloan’s in Atwood

[@richardlong9877]

Many more kids need to take advantage of these programs and good paying jobs. So many kids today are beaten down with the “you need a worthless college degree” talk. My own parents were the same way.

[@dkgd1720]

I just found your channel and I'm really enjoying it. I'm a ford master tech with 20 years in. Ag tech looks like it would be a nice change. Keep up the great videos.

[@ZKMasterTech]

Thanks! We could use more guys like you!

[@theapprenticefiles9693]

Come on brother

[@jonnyw82]

Can I ask what the typical salary is?

[@sfptv404]

Really good video. Im a sophomore in high school and I’ll definitely consider this when I graduate

[@ZKMasterTech]

It’s a great career!

[@thebackwoodsmechanic5029]

Good video dude. If these was a need I my area I wouldn't mind jumping into it

[@ZKMasterTech]

Thank you

[@ZKMasterTech]

Its a good career I like it. You have to know everything from power train, electrical, hydraulics, computers, HVAC, farming, gps guidance, and more. Keeps you on your toes for sure and you never know where's you'll end up. We send techs out of state and country.

[@OneMechanic]

Good video. I would join if I had the chance when I was a teen

[@joestractorshop8040]

ill tell you man, that deal is mighty alluring, but the only thing holding me back right now is the location of the sloan implement stores, all southern WI and scattered around Illinois, and for a Northern Minnesota guy, thats a long way to move

[@jonnyw82]

I think other dealers offer same/similar program

[@Levis52781]

Hey Zack where i can take apprentice as JD Ag tech here in Saskatchewan Canada? Keep up the good work

[@ZKMasterTech]

I don’t know where you can go in Canada. Just call your local Deere dealer and they can help you out.

[@jonathanalvarez9525]

Im looking into a 8320 MFWD. 5400 hrs. What is your opinion on the 8020 series tractos?

[@ZKMasterTech]

20 series are good tractors but with higher hours you can run into some transmission or hydraulic issues.

[@kylekelson6339]

i’m currently an ag tech student at lake land college.

[@ZKMasterTech]

That's awesome!

[@RedLineBandits]

So do you guys get paid flat rate? Or is it a hourly thing?

[@ZKMasterTech]

We get paid by the hour with time and a half overtime.

[@MKHNitro]

Right To Repair to break monopolies

[@theapprenticefiles9693]

Ian AkA GATOR is a helluva tech now

[@ethanhassell4181]

Hey Zeth, im new in the industry and just got hired as an apprentice at a local John Deere dealer. Any advice to help ease my nerves? I'm pretty anxious and want to do well in the industry.

[@ZKMasterTech]

Just take it one day at a time and learn all you can. No one is expecting you to know everything if you’re an apprentice. Be patient, ask good questions, work hard, listen to the experienced techs, be willing to learn, and show up everyday early and ready to go.

[@erikbrown8688]

How long is the program

[@ZKMasterTech]

It’s two years

[@PowerStrokeJude]

If I was starting over I would probably get into heavy equipment but alas I'm 47 with a family so it's to late for me, lol

[@ZKMasterTech]

It's not too late for you Jude! I haven't had time to do another video about our apprenticeship program through Sloan Implement. We hire people with either automotive, Ag, industrial, diesel, or other backgrounds and we fast track them through John Deere University so they can get their basic core certifications. This opens up the job market to us and has allowed us to acquire many good technicians, including me! You don't have to go through the Deere Tech program to get a job as a Tech at Sloan Implement as we see the value in other tech's that have been through similar training but would like a career change. Electricity is electricity and hydraulics is hydraulics. They both flow the path of least resistance no matter what brand of equipment they are on. If you can understand that, you have a very good chance of becoming a Deere technician.

[@PowerStrokeJude]

@@ZKMasterTech I have a dealership liss than 15 minutes from my house here in California but I don't think it's Sloan. I'm going to go check it out, it can't hurt.

[@cdelliodellio6011]

🙌🔥🧡

[@soumenduroy3770]

Mate how can I join?? I am from India and we don't have these programs here. I studied agricultural engineering in university

[@ZKMasterTech]

Move to the USA 🇺🇸.

[@soumenduroy3770]

@@ZKMasterTech How to apply in these programs?

[@ZKMasterTech]

@@soumenduroy3770 www.deere.com/en/our-company/john-deere-careers/dealer-technician-training/jd-tech/

[@jordanwiebe5911]

So I guess I wouldn’t be able to get into the deere tech program without a sponsorship from a dealership then?

[@ZKMasterTech]

Yeah that's how it works because you go to school for a while then work at the dealer for awhile. The instructors are in contact with your service manager to track your progress. But least you can make money at the dealer while going to school.

[@jordanwiebe5911]

Ah I see. Yeah I applied at a couple dealerships offering to put me through the program but I haven’t heard back from them yet. Seems difficult getting into this trade without ag mechanic experience

[@johnnyking7437]

What’s the pay?

[@ZKMasterTech]

It varies depending on your area and cost of living.

[@jonstephen4846]

Same thing holding me back, always seems like dealerships aren’t up front about wages