Career opportunities in construction equipment, truck engine, marine and commercial engine fields are rewarding, challenging, and the people that can do the work are in demand. Gregory Poole Equipment Company, in conjunction with the Caterpillar dealers of North and South Carolina and Florence-Darlington Technical College, has developed the Caterpillar Dealer Academy to train individuals in the specific needs of Gregory Poole and Caterpillar. The Caterpillar Dealer Academy is a cooperative two-year college level student technician education program, which leads to an Associate’s Degree in Industrial Technology.

As a Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician, you'll work on some of the biggest, hardest-working machines in the world. As a graduate of the Caterpillar Dealer Academy (CDA), you'll be a highly skilled, technically trained, in-demand member of the worldwide Cat dealer family. Our two-year, college-level program teaches you how to service Caterpillar equipment using cutting-edge diagnostic and maintenance systems, advanced technologies, and high-tech tools. The program combines classroom and hands-on learning. No more sitting in class wondering if you're going to use what's being taught, you'll get to use what you've learned and you'll know why it's important.

The purpose of the program is to upgrade the technical competency and professional level of incoming Caterpillar Dealership service technicians. It trains the students to analytically diagnose, service and maintain Caterpillar products using recommended procedures, special tools, and service information. It provides course content that will enable successful graduates to advance in position after additional experience, and to understand new systems and components as they are introduced.
Gregory Poole takes the hiring process seriously. Not only do we make sure you are right for this program, you need to make sure this program is right for you. So, ask as many questions as you like and we'll get the answers for you. If you have the right attitude, work ethic, and skills, it's time you think big about your future.

Listed below are Frequently Asked Questions about the program. For complete details please follow the contact instructions at the bottom of the page:

• Where will the training be held?
• Where will I live while taking classes in Florence?
• What classes are included in the curriculum?
• What will I do during my internship?
• How do I purchase tools to start a Service Technician career?
• What are the requirements for admission into the program?
• What should I know about Gregory Poole?
• What is the cost of the program?
• What is the Student Selection Process?
• Whom should I contact for more information?

Where will the training be held?

Your training consists of two parts:

1. Classroom training at Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC). FDTC is located in Florence, SC with an annual enrollment of several thousand students. Approximately 40 weeks out of the two years will be spent in Florence, split between five eight-week semesters.
2. Paid internships at your local sponsoring dealership help you put your education to work. This is one of the most important elements of the program.

Where will I live while I complete the program?

While attending FDTC, the school has made arrangements with a local apartment complex to offer low-cost, convenient housing for its students in the CDA. In this dorm-like atmosphere, four students share a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. Rent covers all utilities including local phone, cable, and electricity. The apartment is completely furnished - you don't have to worry about hauling furniture back and forth to and from your home town when you go on your internship. In addition, there are no connection fees to pay, no leases to sign, and you pay ONLY for the time you live in Florence.

While performing your internship responsibilities, your local sponsoring dealership will try to get you as close as possible to your home town. Gregory Poole has locations throughout Eastern North Carolina.

Your core Caterpillar classes include diesel engines, hydraulic systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, undercarriage/final drives, diagnostic testing, fundamentals of transmissions and torque converters, welding, and diesel air conditioning. The CDA has two dedicated, full-time training instructors that teach most classes in a "lab" atmosphere.

Classroom and lab training are held in FDTC's state-of-the-art classrooms and computer labs. New Caterpillar machines are loaned to the school every semester including wheel loaders, track-type tractors, backhoes, challenger agricultural tractors, and excavators. The school has all up-to-date training aids, tools, and simulators and all the latest Caterpillar diagnostic and operational computer software.

Our commitment to your development does not stop when you graduate. We are constantly updating our classes and offering our experienced technicians new training to make sure they remain some of the most knowledgeable technicians in the industry.
Because you will be earning an Associate’s Degree in Industrial Technology, there are some general education requirements such as English Composition, Math, Sociology, Technical Communication, Public Speaking, and a Fine Arts Class. What is great about these classes is that most are taught as part of an integrated curriculum. This means classroom instruction is related to real on-the-job topics, issues, and discussion.

What will I do during my internship?

During your internship you will work directly with machines and engines, assist trained technicians, and learn how it feels to be a valuable member of the Cat Dealer family. You will work with mentors in all areas of the dealer service department including the main shop, specialization shop, field service, welding shop, and more. Students work while classes are not in session at FDTC. This includes opportunities for extra hours and income during semester and holiday breaks.

We want to make sure you have the personal tooling necessary to start a career as a Dealer Service Technician. A starter set of tooling is provided at the beginning of the program to each student. The tools are available for minimal purchase, provided you complete the CDA and are still employed with Gregory Poole after a period of one (1) year.

The requirements for admission are as follows:

You must be accepted by both the dealer and the school to be a member of the Caterpillar Dealer Academy.

It's important to know about the company you work for and the industry you work in. As the Caterpillar heavy equipment and engine dealer for Eastern North Carolina, Gregory Poole has enjoyed a reputation for quality service and high integrity. We believe in Customer Satisfaction, doing the right thing, and working as a team. We work hard, but have fun doing it.
The heavy equipment and engine industry is growing fast, is highly technical, and offers many different opportunities from sales to service to support areas. Markets served by the equipment Gregory Poole sells and services include construction, earthmoving, forestry, mining, paving, agricultural and industrial applications, as well as Caterpillar engines for the truck, power generation and marine power markets.

• Earn our customer's loyalty by giving them great service and products
• Treat others as we want to be treated
• Provide training and development opportunities for employees to grow

The Dealership will pay for the following costs associated with the program:

• Hourly wage for all hours worked in the dealership. There is ample opportunity to make enough money during internships to pay all tuition, fees, books, and living expenses in Florence.
• Training aids and equipment for classroom and internship instruction
• Uniforms and safety glasses
• Annual replacement of Safety Shoes
• All uniform cleaning in Florence and at the dealership
• Gregory Poole will provide Tuition Assistance, (equal to ½ of your tuition expense) AFTER the first semester of school. Payment is made directly to the school on your behalf

The student will pay for the following costs associated with the program:

• Florence-Darlington Technical College tuition. All students pay the in-county tuition rate (15% off).
  
• General Education textbooks. All Caterpillar class textbooks and materials are provided by the school and dealership.
  
• Housing (if necessary)
• $575.00 per semester
• Four students per two-bedroom, two-bath apartment
• Includes bedroom and living room furniture, TV, and kitchen supplies
• You pay only for the time you are in Florence. The $575.00 per semester cost includes all utilities such as local telephone, cable, and electric. You will not pay any connection fees.

Students who wish to become members of the Caterpillar Dealer Academy should make application early in the spring semester (January - March) if possible. This will allow time for processing financial aid packages, identification of preparatory class needs, sponsorship acquisition, etc. The application process includes the following:

1. Complete Florence-Darlington Technical College Application for Admission.
2. Complete the student assessment process. (Includes placement testing.)
3. Submit a current official driving record.
4. Remove preparatory class needs prior to the start of the program.
5. Sign and return the Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician Program Release of Information Form.
6. Students who successfully complete the Admission process are eligible to interview with the Caterpillar Dealership. The interview should take place at the dealership and participant's goals should be discussed. All students must have a dealer sponsor before enrollment can be completed.
7. After acceptance by Florence-Darlington Technical College and the Caterpillar Dealership the student will be formally admitted into the Caterpillar Dealer Academy.

For more information about the program:
Visit the Florence-Darlington Technical College website at www.fdtc.edu

• For general questions:
  Contact Walt Warren, Corporate Recruiter at 919-836-4450 or walt.warren@gregpoole.com