Diesel/Heavy Duty Equipment

   Winter 2010 Program Outline

Start: Fall, Winter, Spring

Degrees and Certificates

• AAS - SCC

Program Website:

www.scc.spokane.edu/?he

Program Description

Diesel/Heavy Duty mechanics repair and maintain trucks, buses, logging, mining, agricultural and construction equipment.  In addition, they maintain and repair diesel and gasoline engines, compressors and pumps.

Students may enter the program any quarter.

Program Goals

1. Understand construction, function and fundamentals of heavy duty vehicle components.
2. Diagnose mechanical and performance problems.
3. Make decisions as to disposition of worn parts (usable, recondition or replace).
4. Operate precision repair and diagnostic equipment (including electrical and diesel fuel systems).
5. Weld (arc, acetylene, and wire feed).
6. Read and interpret repair manuals.
7. Appreciate the importance of good public relations with customers, employer and fellow employees.
8. Understand basic shop operation.
9. Utilize the theory of overhead and labor cost in relationship to profit.
10. Comprehend the concept of apprenticeship and how it functions. 

Career Opportunities

Career outlook for diesel technicians is excellent. Employment of heavy duty diesel technicians is expected to increase very rapidly through the coming decade. This increase will come because of steady growth in the industry and advancements in technology.

There is a large demand for qualified technicians. Many are employed in service departments of distributors and dealers selling diesel engines, farm and construction equipment and trucks. Technicians also work for companies and government agencies that repair and maintain their own diesel-powered equipment. Most positions have excellent benefits, and salaries are well above average for the area.