Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician

Associate of Applied Science Degree, Certificate

Available at: Windward Campus

Program Overview

The Diesel Applied Technology curriculum offers an opportunity to receive knowledge and develop skills necessary to function as a diesel service technician and mechanic. The curriculum is designed to give a practical approach, under job shop performance conditions, to the study of diesel mechanics.

Diesel service technicians and mechanics are primarily employed by the truck transportation industry, although some are employed by local governments, mainly to repair school buses, waste removal trucks, and road equipment. Employment of diesel service technicians and mechanics is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. Additional trucks - and truck repairs - will be needed to keep pace with the increasing volume of freight shipped nationwide.

Career choices:

• Diesel technician
• Farm equipment technician
• Heavy equipment technician
• Recreational vehicle repair technician
• Marine Diesel

With experience and/or further education you may go on to:

• Field representative troubleshooting
• Owner, independent repair shop
• Sales representative

Earnings

Median annual salaries for diesel service technicians were $48,121 in June 2015. The average hourly wage was $23. For more information visit www.salary.com.

Curriculum

• Diesel Applied Technology: Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician, Associate of Applied Science
• Heavy Equipment Specialist - Level I, Certificate

Voluntary certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is recognized as a standard of achievement for diesel technicians. Technicians may be certified as Master Medium/ Heavy-Duty Truck Technician or may be certified in one or more of following different areas of medium/ heavy-duty truck repair; diesel engines, drive trains, brakes, suspension and steering, electrical/electronic systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, preventive maintenance inspection and truck electronic diesel engine diagnosis. For certification in each area, technicians must pass a written examination and have at least two years of experience (two years of school count as one year of experience). To retain certification, technicians must retake the tests at least every five years.