Hi everyone,

I’m interested in pursuing a career as a heavy diesel mechanic and want to understand what skills and qualifications are essential. From your experience, what kind of hands-on training or certifications make the biggest difference when entering this field?

I’m particularly focused on becoming a skilled Diesel Mechanic and want to know the best ways to gain practical experience with heavy diesel engines, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

Any tips on balancing classroom learning with on-the-job exposure, or recommended courses and programs, would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance for your insights!

 

Hired a few new techs before retiring, and each one that came from UTI (Universal Technical Institute) seemed better informed about expectations related to repairs, experience with numerous tools and equipment and overall hands-on work-ability. Hired 4 techs from UNOH (University of Northwestern Ohio) Diesel Technology courses...and only one seemed to have any skills greater than you could learn in your own garage from a good mentor. Granted, this could be attributed to their personality, or approach of the industry, too.

If you are serious about this as a career, once you've conpleted whatever formal training you've decided on. Work ethic and the ability to stay busy are two factors that are paramount to shop supervisors/head mechanics. Extended knowledge, willingness to learn from others or share knowledge and experience can be gained along the way....but a poor work ethic will be something you will be judged upon entirely at first. There is no fault in someone asking questions about a repair or diagnostics, a good shop supervisor should be encouraging this trait in new techs...not discouraging it.

Also, when hunting for a job...LOOK FOR A SHOP that offers schooling or advance/continued training! A good, quality company or garage will always invest in their techs. This industry's changing at the speed of light anymore. So, you want to look for a company or garage that knows this and conpensates for this, and is looking towards the future of everyone involved. And if offered...invest yourself in the opportunity to make you, yourself a more valuable asset. One thing l absolutely hated...was losing a good tech! Believe me, good things come to good empoloyees in the mechanical field (if you did your due diligence on the companies track record/place with very little turn-over).

It was a field that provided me 46 years of never facing unemployment. Worked steadily through the worst of economic times. A trade is something nobody can take away from you.

Best of luck, in your endeavor!

Edit: Any hands-on training you can manage to achieve, while also going to a Vocational school...will only benefit you. The guys hired that had done this, were heads and shoulders above the ones that didn't. Something l paid absolute attention too, while mentoring a new tech...was their handling of tools and diagnostic equipment.