Think Big About Your Future

and get started with your career in just two years

Two Years of Classroom Education Mixed With Hands-on Experience in a Butler Shop

If you have a great attitude, strong work ethic and basic mechanical skills, you can begin your education and training to become a Caterpillar Technician through ThinkBIG. ThinkBIG, Caterpillar’s Dealer Technician Education Program, is designed to develop entry-level diesel service technicians for Caterpillar dealerships like Butler Machinery Company in North Dakota and South Dakota. Caterpillar Inc. and Butler Machinery have partnered with North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton, ND, and Lake Area Technical College (LATC) in Watertown, SD to offer ThinkBIG students the best combined classroom education and hands-on learning to prepare them for a lucrative and life-long career in the skilled trades.

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HEAR MORE ABOUT THE THINKBIG PROGRAM FROM THE BUTLER MACHINERY TEAM

HALF-TIME ON CAMPUS, THE OTHER HALF AS PAID ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AT BUTLER

ThinkBIG students receive up-to-date technical training on Cat equipment and systems through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory learning and a paid internship at a Butler Machinery dealership location to further the learning from the classroom and lab. Upon completion of the ThinkBIG program, graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Diesel Technology, and an official Caterpillar endorsement. Graduates will have the opportunity for full-time employment with a Butler Machinery dealership location, and great potential for career advancement within the company.

NINE TOTAL TERMS IN TWO YEARS AND OVER $18 PER HOUR PAID INTERNSHIP

The ThinkBIG program is divided into nine terms. Terms will rotate between classroom/lab instruction at either North Dakota State College of Science or Lake Area Technical College, and a paid internship at a Butler Machinery Company location. During the paid internship, students will earn over $18 per hour, with a mandatory minimum of 1,280 total internship hours spent learning and working in the dealership.