You Bring the Will, We’ll Build the Skill - How Caterpillar Provides Construction Career Paths for All Backgrounds

Griffin Reome was fortunate enough to be born into the construction industry. My father started as a contractor for the forestry department, eventually becoming an engineering contractor with over 100 people on the payroll. I grew up surrounded by the incredible people and machines that make this work possible, and early on I learned the significant impact this industry has on our communities. Ultimately, that is what led me to pursue a career in construction.?

Now, as a Workforce Development Manager for Caterpillar, I work with Cat dealerships around the world to recruit and develop best-in-class talent. The global demand for heavy equipment technicians has skyrocketed and Cat dealers hire thousands of new technicians each year to support the demand—but not everyone is fortunate enough to grow up with a front row seat to this incredible industry like I did. People often underestimate or don’t have any awareness of the career opportunities that are available in construction. If you didn’t grow up in the industry that’s not a problem, Cat Dealers around the world can build your skills and educational career through some amazing development programs.?

Why Pursue a Career as a Construction Equipment Technician? ?

A career as a heavy equipment technician is perfect for problem solvers who enjoy hands-on work and thrive in dynamic environments. Equipment technicians are on the front-line supporting our customers—by keeping machines running technicians help keep projects on track. When machines aren’t running, our customers are losing money. This means that every day offers our technicians a new challenge. On any given day a dealer technician could work on anything from engines that power marine vessels to generators big enough to power a hospital to the machinery that builds our roads.?

Cat dealer technicians also enjoy attractive benefits like competitive salaries and job security that comes with being part of a relatively stable industry. There’s no shortage of work. ?

Despite the many benefits construction careers offer, it’s difficult to find skilled talent who are ready to hit the ground running on this career path. To help fill this gap, Caterpillar is investing in education and professional development opportunities for those interested in a fulfilling career as a dealer technician. Our programs are designed to equip participants with the skillset needed to succeed. If you bring the will, we’ll build the skill.?

?"If you bring the will, we’ll build the skill.”?

Workforce Development Programs at Caterpillar?

Our largest talent development initiative is ThinkBIG, a two-year instructional program that compensates students while they train to become technicians. In addition to labs and classroom work, participants gain valuable on-the-job experience. ThinkBIG graduates begin their careers with both an accredited degree and over 2,000 hours of relevant work experience.?

More than 15,000 people have graduated from ThinkBIG since its launch in 2000. I’ve personally witnessed the positive impacts this program can have on ThinkBIG graduates and their communities. I recently visited Peru to celebrate 18 female ThinkBIG graduates, the first all-female class. Some of these graduates were the first in their family to earn a degree, which can directly influence their ability to build a strong future for them and their families.?

The ThinkBIG program is just one way Caterpillar is working to bridge the gap in building a strong workforce of skilled technicians. Some of our other training initiatives include:?

• The Caterpillar Foundation , which partners with local organizations around the world to offer educational programs and apprenticeship opportunities.??
• Techs for the World, a free online training program that introduces students to the skills and knowledge needed to successfully start a career as a Cat dealer technician.?

• Cat Tech Academy, which offers paid, hands-on training over the course of 16 weeks.?
• Hiring Our Heroes, which offers paid, hands-on training to active service members, preparing them for a career as a technician when they retire from the military.?

And development opportunities don’t end when you’re hired—our technicians continue to benefit from in-house training programs throughout their careers. Dealers are able to engage individuals to become lifelong learners.? Making education fun and empowering by engaging people’s passion for the industry and thirst for knowledge.??

The skill set of a technician can also transition to other opportunities people may be interested in pursuing.? Former technicians become great salespeople, leaders in service and operations, some Cat Dealer Principals started as technicians.? The limit of the role is only your imagination.??

Wherever you are in life regardless of experience and skillset there is a path for everyone at any age to join the team.? To learn more, go to caterpillar.com/dealertech .?