Thinkbig Frequently Asked Questions 

A: Empire Southwest, your local Caterpillar Dealer, has partnered with Mesa Community College to present the ThinkBIG Apprenticeship Program. This is a two year college level program providing you with the education and the skills necessary to become a heavy equipment technician. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will receive an Associates in Applied Science Degree from Mesa Community College along with Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician Credentials recognized by all Caterpillar Dealers worldwide. 

 A:  The program consists of 16 week semesters, which run continuously throughout the two years. Each semester is broken down into two sessions. The 1^st session consists of 8 weeks of classroom instruction (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm). The 2^nd session consists of 8 weeks of PAID INTERNSHIP where you will be working in one of the shops at Empire in Mesa, AZ.  You will be paid (40 hours per week at $12.75 per hour) every week that you spend in the Internship. 

 A:  Applications are accepted all year. Interviews and processing for each year’s freshman class are conducted January – March, with classes starting in August.   

Empire ThinkBIG Manager 
Greg Cortesi
Empire Recruiter
480-633-5441
greg.cortesi@empire-cat.com    

Mesa Community College 
Valerie Hill 
Academic Advisor 
480-461-7216 
valerie.hill@mesacc.edu 

 A:  All classes are held at the Empire Training Institute located at 1855 S. Macdonald Dr. Mesa, AZ 85210 

 A:  The following are estimated costs and are subject to change at any time 

•  Approximately $1,000 tuition per semester (every 16 weeks) (MCC) 
•  Approximately $100 lab fees per semester (every 16 weeks) (MCC) 
•  Approximately $50 lab fees per semester (every 16 weeks) (Empire).  
•  Required books for the semester (available at Mesa Community College bookstore) 
•  Required steel-toed boots  
•  Required tooling 

 A:  Your tuition must be paid through MCC. Your lab fees for Empire can be paid by check or money order at the start of each 16 week semester. Checks need to be made out to Empire Southwest and can be given to your instructor. You will be provided with a receipt. 

 A:  Yes, you will need to purchase tools. Complete tool kits start at $2,500. If you already own some of the required tooling, the cost will be less. Information on ordering tool kits will be provided to you at the start of the program. 

 A: You will be required to purchase steel toed boots and wear long pants. Jeans are best due to durability. Pants must be in good repair, no tears, acid wash, etc. T-shirts are ok, as long as they are in good repair with no logos, offensive pictures or language. Uniforms will be ordered for you at the start of the program. They generally take about four weeks to arrive. These are paid for by Empire. Empire will also provide your first pair of safety glasses. 

 A: If you meet the program pre-requisites, Empire will contact you for further testing in the areas of mechanical aptitude, basic fundamental mechanical knowledge, and other areas including word knowledge, language usage, spatial relations, mechanical reasoning, verbal reasoning, numerical ability, perceptual speed and accuracy, and manual speed and dexterity. Also you will be required to pass a drug screen, criminal background check, and social security verification. Based on the assessment results, Empire will contact the top candidates and schedule interviews. Final selection of students will be based on a combination of all test results and interview scores. 

 A:  Your status is a full-time Mesa Community College student. 

 A:  If you qualify, Mesa Community College offers student financial aid, loans and grants. After your acceptance into the program you may contact MCC for further details. 

 A:  Student medical insurance is available for purchase through Mesa Community College. 

 A:  You must maintain a minimum GPA for retention in the program. Other factors are attendance, attitude, conduct, and demonstrating applied learning competence through the internship. 

 A:  You are allowed to miss up to three days per semester, if you miss over three days, you will be required to go before the curriculum board, where they will determine if you will be allowed to stay in the program based on different factors. 

 A:  Working and going to school is an option, however it is not advised that you carry on a full-time job while in classes. During your 8 weeks of internship, it is not guaranteed, that you will be working 1^st shift. 

 A:  There is a list of local apartment communities and student housing that will be sent to you if you are accepted into the program. These are just options, it is not required that you stay at one of these locations. 

 A:  Each graduate will be evaluated for a full-time position with Empire Southwest.  While there are no guarantees, graduates with demonstrated knowledge, skills, and the right attitude have a high probability of receiving an offer for full time employment. 

 A: YES! Click HERE to view the complete list of participating Caterpillar dealer locations.  

 A:  View our Contacts HERE