Program Details

Ready to learn more about Delta College's outstanding Caterpillar program? Browse below for more specifics about how the program works.

During the first two years: About half of your time will be devoted to technical/academic education at Delta College. The remaining time is for on-the-job experience at sponsoring CAT dealerships. Each block of technical and general education is followed by a dealer internship approximately 8 weeks in length each, as it is essential that your education at Delta College and the dealership work experience be closely aligned. The paid internship helps you pay for your education while receiving valuable work experience. College fees, textbooks, travel expenses, and housing costs are your responsibility. A prescribed toolset will be provided to each student.

During the last two years: You will be a full-time apprentice technician at the sponsoring CAT dealership, receiving additional on-the-job training and experience. Upon completion of the entire program, you will receive state journey-level certification. This intensive method of study and practice will prepare you to be the kind of high-performance technician that Caterpillar dealerships demand.
 

In the Caterpillar program, you can earn an Associate of Science degree and two years of credit toward a four-year state journey-level certificate. Technical training on Caterpillar equipment and components includes the latest developments in engine repair, hydraulic systems, electrical and electronic systems, test procedures, and diagnostic tools. In addition to the technical curriculum, general education courses will be offered to help develop your communication and interpersonal skills. Such courses include mathematics, composition and technical writing, business and ethics, and others. 
 

The internship and apprenticeship phases of the Caterpillar program allow you to apply what you learned during the previous classroom/lab sessions, in a real-world setting. In addition, you'll become familiar with the dealership environment, its organizational structure, and the competencies that are expected of a professional service technician.

You are expected to:

  • Obtain and maintain a Caterpillar dealer sponsor throughout the program
  • Provide sponsoring CAT dealership with responsible and productive work effort
  • Participate in all learning activities at scheduled times
  • Maintain academic standards and adhere to academic policies (minimum 2.0 GPA) according to Delta College policy
  • Maintain dealership attendance standards
  • Be responsible for program costs: fees, books, housing, etc.
  • Wear work uniforms, safety glasses, and recommended personal safety equipment during campus class/labs and dealer internship experience
     

Delta College will:

  • Provide faculty dedicated to the Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician program
  • Provide facilities, including classrooms, labs, etc.
  • Maintain up-to-date tools and equipment
  • Grant the Associate of Science degree in Caterpillar service technology to graduates
  • Inform sponsoring dealers of your progress
  • Assist dealerships with student selection and recruitment
  • Conduct student visitations during internships
     

Caterpillar dealerships will: 

  • Recruit, interview, and select prospective students
  • Provide a dealership-coordinated internship experience
  • Provide related work/learning experiences to supplement your instruction at Delta College
  • Agree to pay you during periods of dealer internship
  • Provide work uniforms
  • Assist in obtaining equipment and training aids
  • Complete student evaluation forms during each internship
  • Advise the College of concerns or changes in student status with the dealership
  • Provide a loaner tool set
     

You must:

  1. Be 18 years of age or older by the time of the first internship period
  2. Be a high school graduate or possess any one of the following:
    1. General Education Development (GED) certification
    2. California High School Proficiency (CHSP) certificate
    3. Associate Degree or higher
  3. Submit an official transcript from a high school or any applicable college/university (or GED or CHSP) with the application to the program
  4. Be able to meet Delta College and CAT dealership admission and academic requirements
  5. Be sponsored by a CAT dealership
  6. Possess a valid driver's license and maintain an employable driving record
  7. Be willing to submit to a drug test if requested by dealership sponsor
  8. Be willing to submit to a background check
  9. Be sincere about becoming the best service technician you can be
     

 

Participants must:

  • Complete an application to a sponsoring Caterpillar dealer
  • Provide a high school transcript
  • Complete the mechanical aptitude test
  • Be interviewed by dealer management and a dealer program representative
  • Upon dealer acceptance, receive a provisional acceptance
  • Receive final acceptance upon successful completion of the required drug and physical test
  • Be notified by dealerships of final acceptance into the program
     

Learn more about the Caterpillar program and the community:

Caterpillar

CAT Dealer Careers

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