Academics

Caterpillar Dealer Service Technology

Caterpillar Dealer Service Technology is a two-year technician training program designed to prepare students to become entry-level Caterpillar Dealer Service Technicians for the dealerships that buy, sell, and repair Caterpillar equipment. In this program, you’ll learn how to work on many types of Caterpillar machines and equipment including: agricultural, construction, and earthmoving equipment to name a few.

This program combines classroom work in state-of-the-art labs with real-world experience through internships. In class, you’ll learn about engine fundamentals, machine hydraulics, Caterpillar fuel systems, machine electrical systems, transmissions and torque converters, undercarriage/final drives and more. You’ll also serve four paid eight-week internships at your sponsoring Caterpillar dealership to experience your future career first-hand.

How We Began

The Caterpillar Dealer Service Technology Program (also known as ThinkBIG™) began in May 1998 as a joint venture between Caterpillar, Inc. and Illinois Central College to develop a new pilot program to meet the growing need for technicians in the heavy equipment industry. The primary focus of this new program was to train young men and women on a Caterpillar product line that would provide the program’s partner dealers with a high quality technician. In 1998, ICC partnered with Altorfer with dealer locations in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri and Patten Industries Inc. (now Altorfer Industries) located in Illinois and Indiana. Since that time, we have added Boyd Cat with locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.

We moved into a new state-of-the-art training center built on the ICC campus in June 1999. Since that first class of 11 students, the program has graduated over 330 students. The success of this program is underscored by the strong support it receives from our partner dealers, ICC, and Caterpillar. This support insures our faculty and staff are able to provide our students with the highest quality education available and our partner dealers with quality technicians that help meet their ever increasing needs.

Admission to Program

The application deadline for consideration is February 1st. All applicants to the program after the deadline will be considered for the next academic year. To be considered, each candidate must:

1. Complete and return the application materials you’ll receive in the mail and send us an official copy of your high school transcript. Send items to:
   Illinois Central College
   ATTN:  Cat Dealer Service Technology
   1 College Drive, TT 101
   East Peoria, IL  61635-0001
2. Schedule a “Big Look” informational tour of the Caterpillar program and take the Accuplacer Placement Test and pre-application testing as needed. (We will schedule the test and tour on the same day.)
3. Be accepted for sponsorship by a supporting Caterpillar dealership by applying to the Caterpillar dealership and passing an interview, physical and drug test.

To request an informational packet please call (309) 694-5716 or email [email protected].

Career Opportunities

Put yourself in the driverseat of a rewarding and exciting career. Think Big about becoming a Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician. You’ll work on some of the biggest, hardest-working machines in the world.

As a graduate of this program, you will become a highly skilled member of the Caterpillar Dealer Service family. You will have great benefits, flexible hours, and job security. You will also become a respected professional in the Caterpillar Dealer Service industry.

There are many job opportunities available to you as a Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician such as:

• Shop technician
• Specialized technician
• Special projects technician
• Lead shop technician
• Field technician
• Supervisor or manager within the Caterpillar dealership
• Customer service representatives
• Sales

The heavy equipment industry pays well, and Caterpillar dealerships lead the way in offering great salaries. Your starting pay can be $25,000 to $40,000 a year.

Think Big!… If Big machines, Big opportunities, and Big benefits interest you then Think Big about your future at Illinois Central College’s Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician Training Program.

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Business Partnerships

ICC’s Caterpillar Dealer Service Technology program wouldn’t exist without the support of Caterpillar Dealerships. As a student of this program, you will spend four 8-week paid internships at your sponsoring dealership. Dealership sponsorship is crucial to this program and to the hands-on training effort.

The supporting dealership/internship sites are as follows:

Other Partnerships:  ThinkBIG™, Caterpillar

Admission to the Program:

To be considered for the program, each candidate must take the Illinois Central College academic placement test and mechanical reasoning test to determine appropriate class placement. Students must provide their own tools for use throughout the course of study.

Accreditation

AED accredited

Degree

Associate in Applied Science (Career Program)
Total Credit Hours: 69

Program Requirements

Select a course number below to see a course description.

Required General Education Courses

Required Program Courses

* See specific requirements for Associate in Applied Science Degree
** Approved mathematics: AGBUS 118, BUS 120, MATH 110 or higher

Each semester consists of eight weeks of technical classroom study and a required eight week dealer sponsored internship work experience. Upon graduation the student will have earned an Associate in Applied Science degree.

Recommended Course Sequence

Career Pathway

Pathway programs at ICC have a map that shows the courses/degree requirements that will lead students to their desired education and employment goals.

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