Stowers Machinery Corporation’s ThinkBIG service technician training program at South Georgia Technical College has earned accreditation by the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AEDF).

“We are pleased to add this outstanding accreditation to our heavy equipment dealer service technology associate degree program,” said Sparky Reeves, South Georgia Technical College president. “Our HEDST instructors [Rick Davis and Kyle Hartsfield] and SGTC Academic Dean Raymond Holt are to be commended for pursuing this type of recognition, which serves as an additional measure for assessing this program.”

Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) is an international trade association that represents companies involved in the distribution, rental and support of equipment used in construction, mining, forestry, power generation, agriculture and industrial applications. AED Accreditation is open to all colleges with heavy equipment programs, and Caterpillar is now requiring all of its ThinkBIG colleges to earn this specialized accreditation. Currently, only 39 programs at 29 colleges and universities in the United States are AED Accredited.

“We are excited to sponsor this program as a way to provide high-quality training to individuals who demonstrate high potential to enjoy successful careers as service technicians,” said Taylor Clark, the ThinkBIG technician recruiting coordinator of Stowers Machinery.

Students in the ThinkBIG program learn how to service Cat equipment using cutting-edge diagnostic and maintenance systems, advanced technologies and high-tech tools. The curriculum combines both classroom training with experiential learning. Through hands-on work experience and training in state-of-the-art labs, students use what they have learned and understand why it’s important. Stowers’s ThinkBIG students attend SGTC for two years in eight-week increments of college training and on-the-job training in a Stowers service shop. Upon graduation, students receive an Associate of Technology degree. Stowers Machinery co-sponsors the SGTC program with five other Cat dealers in five states.

For more information, visit www.stowerscat.com.

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