Diesel Mechanic Schools

Although many persons qualify for diesel service technician and mechanic jobs through years of on-the-job training, authorities recommend the completion of a formal diesel engine training program. Employers prefer to hire graduates of formal training programs because those workers often have a head start in training and are able to advance quickly to the journey level.

Many community Schools and trade and vocational schools offer programs in diesel repair. These programs, lasting 6 months to 2 years, lead to a certificate of completion or an associate degree. 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. Training programs also improve the skills needed to interpret technical manuals and to communicate with coworkers and customers. In addition to the hands-on aspects of the training, many institutions teach communication skills, customer service, basic understanding of physics, and logical thought. Increasingly, employers work closely with representatives of training programs, providing instructors with the latest equipment, techniques, and tools and offering jobs to graduates.

Whereas most employers prefer to hire persons who have completed formal training programs, some technicians and mechanics continue to learn their skills on the job. Unskilled beginners generally are assigned tasks such as cleaning parts, fueling and lubricating vehicles, and driving vehicles into and out of the shop. Beginners usually are promoted to trainee positions as they gain experience and as vacancies become available. In some shops, beginners with experience in automobile service start as trainee technicians.

Most trainees 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. Generally, technicians with at least 3 to 4 years of on-the-job experience will qualify as journey-level diesel technicians. The completion of a formal training program speeds advancement to the journey level.

For unskilled entry-level jobs, employers usually look for applicants who have mechanical aptitude and strong problem-solving skills and who are at least 18 years of age and in good physical condition. Nearly all employers require the completion of high school. Courses in automotive repair, electronics, English, mathematics, and physics provide a strong educational background for a career as a diesel service technician or mechanic. Technicians need a State commercial driver’s license to test-drive trucks or buses on public roads. Many companies also require applicants to pass a drug test. Practical experience in automobile repair at a gasoline service station, in the Armed Forces, or as a hobby is valuable as well.

Employers often send experienced technicians and mechanics to special training classes conducted by manufacturers and vendors, in which workers learn the latest technology and repair techniques. Technicians constantly receive updated technical manuals and instructions outlining changes in techniques and standards for repair. It is essential for technicians to read, interpret, and comprehend service manuals in order to keep abreast of engineering changes.

Voluntary certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is recognized as the standard of achievement for diesel service technicians and mechanics. Technicians may be certified as master truck technicians or in specific areas of truck repair, such as gasoline engines, drivetrains, brakes, suspension and steering, electrical and electronic systems, or preventive maintenance and inspection.

For certification in each area, a technician must pass one or more of the ASE-administered exams and present proof of 2 years of relevant hands-on work experience. Two years of relevant formal training from a high school, vocational or trade school, or community or junior college program may be substituted for up to 1 year of the work experience requirement. To remain certified, technicians must be retested every 5 years. Retesting ensures that service technicians and mechanics keep up with changing technology. Diesel service technicians and mechanics also may opt for ASE certification as master school bus technicians or master truck equipment technicians.

The most important work possessions of technicians and mechanics are their handtools. Technicians and mechanics usually provide their own tools, and many experienced workers have thousands of dollars invested in them. Employers typically furnish expensive power tools, computerized engine analyzers, and other diagnostic equipment, but individual workers ordinarily accumulate handtools with experience.

Experienced technicians and mechanics with leadership ability may advance to shop supervisor or service manager. Technicians and mechanics with sales ability sometimes become sales representatives. Some open their own repair shops.

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Arizona
Arizona Automotive Institute  (Glendale Arizona) Automotive/Autotronics Technology, Automotive Technology, Automotive/Diesel Technology, Diesel Technology, Automotive, Shop Technology, Diesel Technology & Shop Management.

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - California
Everest College (Long Beach, CA)- Massage Therapy, Industrial Electrical Technology, Automotive Technology, Plumber, Medical Assisting, Electrician, Not Sure, Residential Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, Electrical Technology
WyoTech (Sacramento, CA) - Street Rod and Custom Fabrication, Street Rod and Custom Fabrication, Applied Service Management, Applied Service Management, Advanced Diagnostics (Diploma), Advanced Diagnostics (Diploma), Chassis Fabrication and High Performance Engines, Chassis Fabrication and High Performance Engines, Advanced Diagnostics (Certificate), Advanced Diagnostics (Certificate), Automotive Technology, Automotive Technology
WyoTech (Fremont, CA) (Other California WyoTech Locations: Fremont, Oakland, Sacramento, CA ) - Auto Body Topics Covered: Basic Engine Management Systems, Driveability Diagnostics, Drivetrain Systems, Chassis. Automotive Topics Covered: Cosmetic Dent Repair, Welding, Panel Alignment and Replacement, Plastic Parts Repair and Refinishing, Glass Replacement, Spot Repair, Detailing, Media Stripping. Diesel Topics Covered: Engine Management Systems and Accessories, Fluid, Power and Electrical Systems, Engines, Power Trains
Universal Technical Institute (Automotive Training) (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) - Programs (Programs vary by location) *New - FlexTech (Online / InLab) Automotive Technology Program Automotive Technology Program Automotive / Ford FACT Technology Program Automotive / Toyota TPAT Technology Program Automotive / Diesel Technology Program Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology Program Diesel & Industrial Technology Program Collision Repair & Refinish Technology Program

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Colorado
Westwood College of Technology (Denver North, CO) - Associate Degree - Automotive Technology, Associate Degree - CAD - Architectural Drafting, Associate Degree - CAD - Mechanical Drafting, Associate Degree - Computer Network Engineering, Associate Degree - Graphic Design and Multimedia, Associate Degree - Hotel and Restaurant Management, Associate Degree - HVAC/R, Associate Degree - Medical Assisting, Associate Degree - Medical Transcription, Associate Degree - Surveying, Bachelor Degree - Computer Network Management, Bachelor Degree - Criminal Justice, Bachelor Degree - Game Art and Design, Bachelor Degree - Information Systems Security, Bachelor Degree - Interior Design, Bachelor Degree - Technical Management, Bachelor Degree - Visual Communications, Diploma - HVAC/R, Diploma - Medical Assisting, Bachelor Degree - Fashion Merchandising, Diploma - Medical Insurance Coding and Billing
DADC - Denver Automotive & Diesel College (Denver, CO)- Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, Master Technician, Diesel Technology, Master Technician
IntelliTec Colleges (Colorado Springs) - Mechanical Drafting, Microcomputer Service Specialist, HVAC-Refrigeration, Architectural Drafting, Network Systems Administrator, Networking Security Specialist, Network Information Technician, Network Electronics Technician, Electronic Engineering Technologist, Network Electronics Technician, Accounting, Automotive Technician

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Connecticut
Baran Institute of Technology (Windsor, CT) - Autobody Technician, Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, HVAC Technician, Welding Technician, Electrician
Porter and Chester Institute (Enfield , Stratford, Watertown , Wethersfield) - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Automotive Technology
Connecticut School of Electronics (Watertown, CT) - Automotive & Diesel, Computer, Drafting & Architecture, HVAC and Healthcare curricula
New England Technical Institute (New Britain) - Automotive & Diesel, Computer, Electrician & Energy Trades, Electronics & Computer Repair, Heating & Refrigeration and Medical & Healthcare curricula

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Florida
ATI Career Training Center Miami - Automotive Service Technician, Drafting & Computer Assisted Design (DCAD), Electronics Engineering Technology, Network Administration, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Major Appliance Service Technology
Roadmaster Drivers School (Jacksonville, Tampa , Orlano FL) - Truck Driving Training, Truck Driving Training

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Illinois
Universal Technical Institute (Glendale Heights, IL) - (Programs vary by location) *New - FlexTech (Online / InLab) Automotive Technology Program Automotive Technology Program Automotive / Ford FACT Technology Program Automotive / Toyota TPAT Technology Program Automotive / Diesel Technology Program Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology Program Diesel & Industrial Technology Program Collision Repair & Refinish Technology Program

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Massachusettes
Porter and Chester Institute - Chicopee - Automotive Technology
WyoTech (Massachusetts WyoTech Locations: Boston) - Auto Body Topics Covered: Basic Engine Management Systems, Driveability Diagnostics, Drivetrain Systems, Chassis. Automotive Topics Covered: Cosmetic Dent Repair, Welding, Panel Alignment and Replacement, Plastic Parts Repair and Refinishing, Glass Replacement, Spot Repair, Detailing, Media Stripping. Diesel Topics Covered: Engine Management Systems and Accessories, Fluid, Power and Electrical Systems, Engines, Power Trains

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Maryland
Lincoln Technical Institute (Union)
North American Trade Schools (Baltimore, MD) - Diesel Technician

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - North Carolina
NASCAR Technical Institute (Mooresville, NC) - Automotive Technology w/ Ford FACT - Automotive Technology w/ NASCAR
Universal Technical Institute (Mooresville, North Carolina) - Automotive Training, Motorcycle Technician, with Harley Davidson Electives.

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - New Jersey
Lincoln Technical Institute - Located in Union, New Jersey offering Automotive & Diesel, Computer, Drafting & Architecture, Electronics & Computer Repair, Engineering curriculums
CDM Institute - Marlton - Located in Marlton, New Jersey offering Accounting & Finance, Automotive & Diesel, Computer, Drafting & Architecture and Medical & Healthcare curricula.
Engine City Technical Institute - (South Plainfield, NJ) Diesel Engine Drive Train, Diesel Engine Drive Train Transport Refrigeration, Diesel Engine Drive Train Transport Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Diesel Engine Drive Train Transport Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - New York
New York Automotive & Diesel Institute  (Jamaica, NY)  - Certified Automotive Technician

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Ohio
Roadmaster Drivers School of Ohio, Inc.

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Pennsylvania
* Browse Automotive and Diesel Schools in Pennsylvania
All-State Career School  (North Versailles, PA) - Diesel Technician
Transport Tech  (Bressemer, Brookville, Butler, PA) - Diesel Technician Training Program
Automotive Training Center (Exton, Warminster, PA) - Automotive Advanced Automotive, High Performance, Diesel Collision, Marine Service, Pennsylvania State Safety Inspection Certificate, Program Pennsylvania State Enhanced Emission Inspection Certificate Program.
All-State Career School - North Versailles, PA - Diesel Technician
Transport Tech (Bressemer, Brookville, Butler, PA) - Diesel Technician
Lincoln Technical Institute - (Allentown, PA)
New Castle School of Trades (Pulaski, PA) - Automotive Technology, Building Technology, Combination Welding, Commercial Truck Driving, Electrical Technology, Machine Technology, Refrigeration/AC Technology
UTI Automotive Training (Exton, PA) - FORD Ford FACT Technology, FORD FlexTech Automotive Program, FlexTech Automotive Technology, Ford Accelerated Credential Diesel Technology, Diesel Technician, Diesel Truck Technician, Diesel Service Technician
WyoTech (Blairsville, Pennsylvania) - Cosmetic Dent Repair, Welding, Panel Alignment and Replacement, Plastic Parts Repair and Refinishing, Glass Replacement, Spot Repair, Detailing, Media Stripping

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Rhode Island
New England Institute of Technology - Warwick Warwick RI Associate's Degree - Auto Body Technology, Auto Body Technology, Automotive Collision Repair, Automotive Technology

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Texas
ATI Technical Training Center (Dallas, TX) - Automotive Service Technician, Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration, Combination Welding
Roadmaster Drivers School
UTI Automotive Training - Houston, Texas

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Tennessee
NADC - Nashville Auto-Diesel College - High Performance, Automotive and Diesel Technology (Diploma and Associate Degree), Auto Body Repair Technology (Diploma and Associate Degree)

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Utah
Roadmaster Drivers School of Salt Lake City, Inc. - (West Valley City, UT) - Truck Driving Training, Truck Driving Training

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Virginia
Advanced Technology Institute (Virginia Beach, VA) - Automotive Technology I, Automotive/Diesel Technology, Diesel/Heavy Vehicle Technology, Ford Motor Co. MLR Training, School of High Performance, HVAC, Commercial Driving

Automotive & Diesel Mechanic Colleges - Wyoming
WyoTech (Laramie, WY)  - Auto Technology

Online Automotive Training Schools
Thomson Education Direct (Online) - Automotive & Diesel