Diesel technicians help keep the world running by assessing and repairing engines in transport trucks, construction equipment, and other heavy-duty vehicles. They may perform diagnostics to identify mechanical issues, restore transmission systems, troubleshoot brake malfunctions, and overhaul steering mechanisms while repairing problems they encounter along the way. If you want to become a diesel technician, completing a hands-on training program can help you prepare for your future career.
While diesel technician training can help you prepare for an entry-level career in the diesel heavy truck industry, not all programs offer the same benefits for students. Before committing to a diesel tech program, you want to confirm it includes certain educational opportunities that may help you feel prepared for a career in the industry.
Additionally, you may find that access to career services can ease the transition into the workforce by helping you develop various professional skills. This guidance may include advice on crafting an impressive resume, suggestions for networking with others in the industry, and other job-search strategies to help you find a job after graduation.
Below, you can find some factors to keep in mind as you search for the right program.
Hands-On Learning Opportunities
While many fields prioritize theoretical concepts and abstract ideas, others, like the diesel heavy truck, have a more hands-on approach to training. Experiential learning, or learning by doing, can give students a practical foundation to build upon, offering a tangible understanding of complex problems and solutions. If you’re interested in training to become a diesel technician, you may benefit from a program that incorporates a hands-on approach to education.
When searching for the right diesel technician training program, consider whether the courses offered allow you to work with the tools, equipment, and engines you can expect to encounter in the workforce. Workshops and simulation labs can provide applicable experience to help you develop your skills and gain confidence under the hood.
A great Diesel-Heavy Truck program should help you become familiar with the tools and systems you may encounter in the shop. At South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT®), each course included in the Diesel-Heavy Truck Technician program consists of 80 lecture hours and 120 hands-on lab hours, so you have plenty of opportunities to apply your technical skills on engines and electrical systems similar to those you may service in the field.
Industry-Experienced Instructors
The professional backgrounds of your various instructors can also impact your overall educational experience. Those with personal and professional knowledge of the industry can provide valuable insights and practical information that is typically learned on the job, helping you bridge the gap between theoretical ideas and real-world applications. They might have unique perspectives on the state of the industry or upcoming trends in the field.
Additionally, industry-experienced instructors may be able to assist with networking opportunities after graduation, as they often have connections to those in the industry. This can be incredibly valuable when you’re searching for your first career as a diesel technician.
At STVT, classes are taught by industry-experienced instructors. These experienced individuals, along with our ongoing career services, can help assist you during your professional development and job hunt.
Curriculum and Certifications
The diesel technician training program you choose should offer a curriculum that covers different aspects of diesel heavy truck technology. Courses should include detailed instruction on diagnostic procedures, engine repair, and safety protocols to help you prepare to take various certification exams. These third-party certificates can be an excellent way to increase job opportunities and salary potential after graduation.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offers 58 specialty exams to help you showcase your skills and highlight your expertise. These range from the Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist Certification to the Military Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Certification and beyond. While these examinations are outside the scope of most diploma training programs, your educational experience may provide a solid foundation that can help you prepare for these credentials.
Of course, a great diesel tech training program may include critical certification exams in its curriculum. For example, during STVT’s Basic Electrical and Fundamentals of Heating, Ventilation, and AC course, you have the opportunity to take the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 609 A/C Technician test, which you must pass to be able to service a motor vehicle air-conditioning system.
Support and Resources for Students
As students prepare to graduate and transition into the workforce, many find that a little support can go a long way. In fact, studies have shown that students who utilize career services receive more job offers than those who do not.
STVT’s Career Services team may assist with a wide range of tasks to help students prepare for the job application process, including:
- Searching for a job
- Crafting a professional resume and cover letter
- Networking with contacts
- Researching potential employment opportunities
- Preparing for job interviews
- Developing soft skills
- Post-interview follow-up advice
- Finding an appropriate externship (when applicable)
These resources may help you develop professional skills that boost your confidence as you submit applications, attend job interviews, and shift into your new career in the industry.
STVT also maintains close community ties in San Antonio. Our relationships with local businesses and organizations mean you may gain access to a wide variety of networking opportunities through job fairs.
Start Training To Be a Diesel Tech at STVT
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national job outlook for diesel technicians is on par with national averages for all other occupations. Qualified technicians who stay in the San Antonio area can earn over $80,000 per year diagnosing, servicing, and repairing buses, transport trucks, construction equipment, and other heavy machinery.
If you choose to enroll in South Texas Vocational Technical Institute’s Diesel-Heavy Truck Technician program, you can earn a diploma in as little as 13 months. You can enjoy access to industry-experienced instructors, hundreds of hours of hands-on training, and ongoing career services to help you find your dream job.
Ready to get started? Request more information or explore our wide range of training options today!
Disclaimer: Information within this blog is for general information purposes only. South Texas Vocational and Technical Institute does not assume or guarantee certification/licensures, specific job/career positions, income earning potential, or salary expectations based on the programs offered at STVT. Career and program information statements in this blog do not guarantee that programs or other information mentioned are offered at STVT.
STVT cannot guarantee employment or salary.
The jobs mentioned are examples of certain potential jobs, not a representation that these outcomes are more probable than others.
STVT does not guarantee third-party certification. Certification requirements for taking and passing certification examinations are not controlled by STVT but by outside agencies and are subject to change by the agencies without notice to STVT. Therefore, STVT cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take certification examinations, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.
