| There are 275,000 journeyman diesel mechanics | | | | there is an additional option that confers the status of |
| working in the United States today, keeping | | | | master truck and diesel technician. These training |
| innumerable fleets of trucks and buses on the road. | | | | programs delve into other mechanical components of |
| Many of the veteran mechanics currently working | | | | a diesel truck, beyond just the engine. |
| learned their trade on the job, signing on as a virtual | | | | Learning the Entire Truck |
| apprentice and working with veterans who slowly | | | | In either case, a recent graduate of a diesel truck |
| brought them along. Today you can learn it all in a | | | | repair program is still a rookie when he reports to work |
| vocational school or college. | | | | on his first job. Diesel technicians also need to |
| Today the quicker and more thorough route to status | | | | understand and be able to repair the brake systems, |
| as a qualified diesel mechanic is through a training | | | | lighting systems and transmissions on these trucks; |
| program at a vocational school or a community | | | | work in those areas begins after several months of |
| college. Programs for diesel mechanic basics take | | | | performing diesel repair jobs. It takes three to four |
| anywhere from six months to two years, and result in | | | | years on the job to qualify as a journeyman-level |
| a certificate or diploma, or in an associate's degree | | | | diesel truck technician. |
| conferring the status of diesel technician. | | | | Certification |
| Employer's Preference | | | | Professionals in this trade are also going to need a |
| Most employers prefer hiring a new mechanic from | | | | commercial driver's license in order to test drive the |
| the ranks of those who have been through a training | | | | vehicles under repair. There is also an opportunity for |
| program. Like every other vehicle on the road, trucks | | | | certification as a diesel technician; the Institute for |
| and buses are becoming more sophisticated machines | | | | Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is the |
| and the technology changes frequently. For that | | | | recognized industry credential. There are several |
| reason many employers and some manufacturers | | | | credential options available - diesel service technicians |
| work with the schools that are providing these | | | | may be certified as master medium/heavy truck |
| educational programs, to the point of providing | | | | technicians, as master school bus technicians, or as |
| equipment in order to ensure that the students are | | | | master truck equipment technicians. |
| seeing the latest developments in diesel truck | | | | Truck technicians also have the option of certification |
| technology. | | | | in specific areas of truck repair, such as drive trains, |
| Trucks have been the preferred freight transit choice | | | | brakes, suspension and steering, electrical and |
| for decades, and will continue to be. Their numbers will | | | | electronic systems, or preventive maintenance and |
| increase as commerce increases and so will the need | | | | inspection. In each case, ASE has a separate exam. |
| for mechanics. Training programs generally lead to a | | | | Two year's experience in the field is required, and the |
| certificate or degree; in the case of a few schools | | | | credential must be renewed every five years. |