Bret Martin, Associate Professor of construction engineering at Montana State University (MSU), agrees with the sentiment held by RDO construction technology experts: students not only require a classroom but also a seat in the cab in order to learn most effectively. Jake Michels, RDO’s Technology Solutions Manager and MSU alum, regularly partners with professors like Martin to help make that a reality. This past semester, they’ve worked together to give students direct access to cutting-edge equipment and real job site scenarios.
“Universities sometimes focus just on theory, but MSU aims to provide authentic exposure to job site experiences whenever possible,” Martin said. “This four-week course with RDO provides practical skills students will use on a daily basis, in addition to raising their awareness of tech solutions, so they’ll be better decision-makers in their future roles.”
From Classroom to Construction Site
Developed and led by Michels and RDO’s Product Manager of Construction Technology, Rob Andrew, this course included John Deere’s SmartGrade™ and Topcon Positioning Systems modules.
“In previous years, we’ve offered one-time presentations to senior-level construction engineering students,” Michels said. “This year, with Topcon’s equipment donation and support from our customers like Williams Civil, we expanded this machine control training to include additional classroom labs and job site visits."
Andrew describes a simulated job site setup conducted at an actual Williams Civil job site.
“Students learned how to set up a base station, localize the project and stake out lines and points — tasks they’ll likely perform as field engineers,” he said.
Later, RDO brought in machines with SmartGrade technology. Students transferred data from collectors to machines, then operated them with guidance from Andrew and Michels.
“During the first job site visit, some students felt a bit overwhelmed, but that quickly went away, and by the end of the day, students felt confident and excited for the next job site training with machine control technology,” Martin said.
Martin shared many students asked if they could stay later, and RDO team members like Andrew and Michels were happy to stay until the sun went down at several job sites.
“These students were energized from these job site trainings, saying it was the best class they’ve taken,” Martin said.
RDO, MSU Train Future Tech Leaders
During the last course week, Martin tested students on their grade control set up on a job site, where they had to localize and transfer a project file into the machine control system to engage the 3D SmartGrade, which uses GPS to create the design. Students not only demonstrated their learned skills but a passion ignited by these real-life experiences with RDO team members.
“RDO’s objective lines up with ours,” Martin explained. “As one of our state’s leading construction engineering universities, we want our program to offer hands-on experience with the people who do this every day so students build real-world skills.”
Michels and Martin share they expect to build off this machine control module, possibly offering a two-credit standalone course in future semesters so students can take a deeper dive into machine control training to potentially receive professional certifications.
“This partnership is a great example of what is possible when industry and education come together,” Michels said. “We’re proud to help prepare the next generation of construction leaders.”
Learn more about RDO partnerships and community involvement here.
RDO Equipment Co.
Founded in 1968, RDO Equipment Co. sells and supports intelligently connected agriculture, construction, environmental, irrigation, positioning, and surveying equipment from leading manufacturers, including John Deere, Vermeer, and Topcon. With more than 80 locations across the U.S. and partnerships in Africa, Australia, Mexico and Ukraine, we deliver creative solutions so our customers can grow and build the world.
