Diesel Technician Training

A career as a diesel technician offers relatively high wages and the challenge of skilled repair work. Opportunities are expected to be good for persons who complete formal training programs.

And because national certification is the recognized standard of achievement for diesel service, diesel technician training is crucial.

The diesel engine is the workhorse powering the nation’s trucks and buses, because it delivers more power and is more durable than its gasoline counterpart.

Diesel-powered engines also are becoming more prevalent in light vehicles, including pickups and other work trucks.

Diesel Technician Training Requirements

As the need for diesel technicians increases, authorities recommend the completion of a formal diesel technician training program.

Many community colleges and trade and vocational schools offer diesel technician training. These programs, lasting 6 months to 2 years, lead to a certificate of completion or an associate degree.

Diesel technician training programs vary in the degree of hands-on training they provide on equipment. Some offer about 30 hours per week on equipment, whereas others offer more lab or classroom instruction. Training provides a foundation in the latest diesel technology and instruction in the service and repair of the vehicles and equipment that technicians will encounter on the job. 

After the Diesel Technician Training

After receiving diesel technician training, most trainees are asked to perform routine service tasks and make minor repairs after a few months’ experience. These workers advance to increasingly difficult jobs as they prove their ability and competence. After technicians master the repair and service of diesel engines, they learn to work on related components, such as brakes, transmissions, and electrical systems.

But once you become a successful diesel technician, the training doesn’t necessarily stop. Employers often send the more experienced technicians to special training classes conducted by manufacturers and vendors, in which workers learn the latest technology and repair techniques.