Gillette College

Diesel Technology  

The Diesel Technology program offered at Gillette College is designed to prepare students for a successful career in diesel maintenance and repair by immersing them in a hands-on training environment, giving students the opportunity to get their hands dirty on some of the most updated training equipment in the nation.

Students will experience a much more comprehensive and thorough training experience compared to other schools thanks to the small class sizes of the Diesel Technology program, giving students more one-on-one time with their instructors. Thanks to the outstanding hands-on training offered at Gillette College, the school has proudly experienced a successful 90% job placement rate during the past seven years!

Students will learn diesel theory and the essentials of the diesel engine system in the classroom, developing important thinking and reasoning skills and effective communication skills through lectures, class participation, and written assignments. Students will also strengthen their English comprehension and mathematical computation skills. Throughout the course of the program, students will study career-specific topics that include gear ratios, U.S. Standard and Metric measuring systems, effective shop management, shop safety protocols, customer service skills, and more.

In the state-of-the-art diesel facility, students acquire the hands-on training needed to properly inspect, diagnose, and repair diesel engines, mobile hydraulic systems, heavy duty electrical systems, commercial drive trains, diesel fuel systems, diesel electronic systems, and heavy equipment air conditioning systems. Students will also gain hands-on experience in general welding technologies and mobile hydraulic troubleshooting. Occupational safety and the proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials will also be discussed and practiced.

Students will learn diesel engine overhaul by disassembling, inspecting, diagnosing, repairing, and reassembling various multi-cylinder diesel engines and their integrated eauxiliary systems, using sophisticated diagnostic equipment, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, precision measuring instruments, electronic multi-meters, tech manuals, wiring schematics, pneumatic wrenches, grinders, and more.

Students will develop strong communication skills, effective time management skills, and important thinking and reasoning skills throughout the course of the program. Students will be expected to work both independently, and as a team, working together to successfully complete each and every task assigned to them by their instructors in an efficient and timely manner. Ethics, integrity, and professional courtesy will also be discussed and practiced in the shop.

From Graduation to Occupation 

Graduates of the Diesel Technology program at Gillette College can be confident that they possess the education and training necessary to secure an entry-level position as a qualified diesel mechanic in the medium and heavy-duty truck and equipment service and repair industry.

Service technicians and diesel mechanics that possess an Associate of Applied Science degree may quickly advance to a supervisor or manager position in their chosen field. Employment opportunities may include working for commercial trucking companies, bus lines, construction companies, logging companies, mining companies, agricultural equipment dealerships, local municipalities, power generation factories, railroads, shipyards, independent repair shops, and on farms and ranches. Some graduates may even choose to start their own service and repair business.

As the diesel industry continues to grow rapidly, job opportunities for qualified diesel mechanics is expected to increase 11% by the year 2020, as fast as average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean annual wage for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists working in the United States in 2014 was $45,160, while the mean salary for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists employed in the state of Wyoming was $52,520 yearly and $25.25 hourly, 16% higher than the national average.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree and Certificate of Completion

Gillette College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology. Gillette College also offers a 9-month Certificate of Completion in Diesel Technology. Both programs are Pell Grant eligible.