Training is a big part of your success as a diesel technician. As heavy equipment technology, parts and systems evolve, it’s up to you (and your employer) to ensure you have the skills to service them at the highest level.
That’s why training — what training exists, what it looks like, how often you receive it, etc. — weighs heavily when considering which company is right for you.
Many employers invest in their technicians by giving them the opportunities and resources to grow their skills through robust training programs taught by knowledgeable trainers.
RDO Equipment Co. is proud to be one of these employers. Service technicians across our organization — from Riverside, CA, to Dayton, MN — receive regular training and education for the product lines they work on.
Today, we employ over 100 service technicians specializing in servicing new and used Vermeer equipment.
To help them grow and succeed, we invest heavily in their training and education.
In this article, we’ve outlined the Vermeer training you can expect as a service technician at one of RDO’s Vermeer dealerships.
What Vermeer Training Do Service Technicians Receive at RDO?
Vermeer is an innovative, diverse equipment company. Their product lines range from fluid management and tree care to landscaping, agriculture, pipeline and more. As a large Vermeer dealership, our technicians see many variations of Vermeer equipment and must be able to service them at the highest level.
To help them do so, here’s the Vermeer training RDO service technicians receive:
- Vermeer University Certified Vermeer Technician Online Program
- RDO Internal Vermeer Industrial Core Fundamentals Class
- Vermeer University Certified Advanced and Certified Master Technician Online Programs
Vermeer University Certified Vermeer Technician Online Program
The first set of instruction RDO technicians receive for Vermeer products is through Vermeer’s Service Technician Certification Program (STCP).
This course is done online via Vermeer University. In it, technicians go through learning modules and lessons created to give them a better understanding of Vermeer’s equipment and systems and how to perform work on them.
Although it varies, technicians who are new to Vermeer typically take around 16.5 hours to complete this course.
Here’s some of the curriculum taught in these courses:
- Vermeer basics
- Issue resolution (intro)
- Multimeter (intro)
- Using the VC tool
- Basic hydraulic safety
- Intro to controllers
- Electrical
- Intro to CAN bus
- Electrical control service training
- Electrical symbols and schematic reading
- Hydraulics
- Hydraulic symbols and schematic tracing
- Hydraulic actuators
- Oil storage, conditioning and transmission
- Pressure-compensated and load-sensing systems
- Open-/closed-loop hydraulic systems.
- Service fundamentals
- Diagnostics (electrical, hydraulic, CAN bus)
Following these lessons, service technicians receive a set of online knowledge tests and an in-person assessment where they troubleshoot equipment issues and perform repairs.
If they pass, RDO service technicians become Certified Vermeer Technicians. For this, they get a plaque (which is often hung up in the service shop) and a certificate to take home.
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RDO’s Internal Vermeer Industrial Core Fundamentals Class
We know how important development is to your career.
That’s why we created an internal capstone program specific to Vermeer equipment to help you develop your skills and become a Vermeer Certified Technician.
Although you can become certified through the Vermeer University program alone, we have an in-house trainer who teaches in-person courses, proctors the exams and certifies technicians.
After you finish the Certified Vermeer Technician Program through STCP, you have the option to attend our Vermeer Industry Core Fundamentals Class.
Here’s how this four-day in-person class works:
- Learn Vermeer core fundamentals in person:
- Electrical
- Hydraulics
- CAN bus systems
- Schematics
- The first three days:
- The first half of each day is spent in the classroom doing things like:
- Presentations and lecturing
- Answering questions
- Having open discussions
- The second half of each day is spent in the shop learning how to apply the teachings.
- Each day is concluded with a knowledge check to prepare technicians for the final test.
- The final day:
- Knowledge test through Vermeer University (three videos to watch, then a test).
- Physical test where technicians solve bugged issues on four different machines.
After this four-day course, RDO service technicians walk away Certified Vermeer Technicians — the same as they would through Vermeer University.
Note: While our in-house Vermeer trainer currently only offers this core fundamentals class, there’s more to come! Soon, RDO technicians will also be able to take classes in diagnostics, S3 drills, and PD10R (pile drivers).
Vermeer University Certified Advanced and Certified Master Technician Online Programs
Beyond its core Certified Technician program, Vermeer University offers advanced and master technician certification options through its STCP. RDO service technicians can pursue these certifications throughout their time here.
Vermeer Certified Advanced Technician
This is the next certification RDO service technicians can get for Vermeer equipment. To get it, technicians must enroll in the program and select two segments for testing. Segment options include (utility, tree care rental and landscape, recycling and forestry, pipeline HDD, and specialty excavation).
Each segment chosen requires a 60-question test. If the technician passes both with 80 percent or better, they become Certified Advanced Vermeer Technicians. This certification lasts five years.
Vermeer Certified Master Technician
After you’re an advanced technician, becoming a master is your next step. Again, Vermeer provides this certification. Like the advanced program, technicians must decide which areas/segments they want to be tested on. This certification requires the technician to select three segments for testing and to take an additional two-part test —- one online through Vermeer University and another physical, in-person test.
Each segment-specific test includes roughly 60 questions and must be passed with 80 percent or better.
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How Often Do RDO Service Technicians Receive Vermeer Training?
As an RDO technician, you’ll have constant access to Vermeer University, which has tons of resources and courses created to help you learn everything you need (or want) to know about the equipment you’re working on.
Additionally, it’s our goal to have every technician certified by their six-month mark — so expect to start your training relatively quickly after onboarding.
Finally, in-person classes and testing occur at regular intervals (at least twice per year) for each area. These will take place either at your location or one near you.
If there’s any formal training or certification you’d like to pursue, your shop leadership can help you access it.
Start Your Journey as a Vermeer Service Technician at RDO
You deserve to work for a company that pours resources into its employees. RDO is proud to have a highly capable team of Vermeer service technicians. This is thanks, in no small part, to the dedication of our people and the training opportunities given to them.
As a new service technician specializing in Vermeer equipment, expect to receive training from our in-house trainer, and directly from Vermeer University.
Ready to get started?
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career within an organization committed to your growth, find an opening in your area and fill out the application. When you do, one of our recruiters will reach out to get your interview process started.
Finally, RDO is committed to helping you grow your career — even if we’re not the employer you choose. Reach out to us here if you have any questions about your service technician job hunt.
Scott Wilkins
Scott has been with RDO Equipment Co. for more than 30 years. Over his tenure, Scott has worked in various functions and impacted the organization in countless ways. In his first role, as controller, Scott managed the accounting functions in our Aberdeen, SD location for over 10 years. In 2006, Scott moved to San Diego, CA and worked as the general manager and aftermarket manager for RDO’s Vermeer region on the west coast. Today, Scott is the systems training manager based out of our Fargo, ND Field Support Office, a position he’s held since 2012. Helping RDO’s team members learn the business and understand the importance of their work is what Scott finds most fulfilling about his career here.
