Blue Ridge Community College
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Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Technology
The Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Technology program at Blue Ridge Community College is designed to equip students with the technical knowledge and skills needed to properly diagnose, adjust, repair, and overhaul light-duty diesel vehicles that fall under the 2,000 pound (1 ton) classification.
Students learn the fundamentals of the diesel engine system and develop important critical thinking skills in the classroom, while they gain valuable hands-on training through the inspection, troubleshooting, and repairing of light-duty diesel engines, electrical systems, diesel-electric drive systems, diesel fuel and power systems, light-duty diesel fuel systems, air and exhaust systems, and climate control systems. Students also gain hands-on experience in basic welding for transportation.
Using technical manuals, hand tools, computerized diagnostic machines, and specialized instruments, each student will disassemble, diagnose, repair, and reassemble various diesel engines and their integrated system components, learning, hands-on, how to perform diesel engine rebuilds and tune-ups.
Students are also expected to practice shop safety and effective time management skills as they complete each task assigned to them by their instructors in an efficient and timely manner. Work ethics, effective communication, and maintaining a positive workplace attitude is also stressed throughout the Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Technology program at Blue Ridge Community College. This program is available to both high school students and adults.
The Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Technology Diploma Program
The Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Technology Diploma program contains the following industry-relevant classes:
- Intro to Light-Duty Diesel
- Intro to Transportation Technology
- Basic Transportation Electricity
- PC Skills for Transportation
- Basic Welding for Transportation
- Diesel Fuel & Power Systems
- Light-Duty Diesel Fuel Systems
- Air, Exhaust, Emissions
- Transportation Climate Control
- Transportation Climate Control Lab
- Intro to Diesel Electric-Drive
- Light-Duty Diesel Test and Diagnosis
Students must also take Success and Study Skills, Writing and Inquiry, Math Measurement and Literacy, to meet the minimum 44 credit hour requirements of the Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Technology Diploma program. Certain students may be required to take additional development courses in Reading, English, Math, Biology, and Chemistry, based on their placement test scores. Students are required to complete every class and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade, in order to graduate.
The Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Fuel Systems Certificate Program
The Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Fuel Systems Certificate program is comprised of the following career-specific courses:
- Intro to Light-Duty Diesel
- Intro to Transportation Technology
- Basic Transportation Electricity
- Diesel Fuel & Power Systems
- Light-Duty Diesel Fuel Systems
Students must finish each course and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, the equivalent of a “C” grade, in order to graduate.
The Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Performance Certificate Program
The Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Performance Certificate program consists of the following career-focused classes:
- Intro to Transportation Technology
- PC Skills for Transportation
- Basic Welding for Transportation
- Diesel Fuel & Power Systems
- Air, Exhaust, Emissions
- Light-Duty Diesel Test and Diagnosis
In order to graduate, students must finish each class and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
From Graduation to Occupation
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 North Carolina was $42,510 yearly and $20.44 hourly, just 5% lower than the national average.
Graduates of the Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Technology program at Blue Ridge Community College will be equipped with the knowledge needed to successfully pass the ASE certification exams and state licensure tests, and the specialized training needed to gain entry-level employment in the transportation industry as qualified light-duty diesel mechanics.
The Diesel Technology Diploma, Undergraduate Certificate, and High School Student Programs
Blue Ridge Community College offers a 32-week Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Technology Diploma. Blue Ridge Community College also offers a 32-week Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Fuel Systems Certificate and a 42-week Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Performance Certificate. A 32-week Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Technology Career and College Promise Diploma and a 32-week Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Fuel Systems Career and College Promise Certificate is also available for high school students. The 32-week adult Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Technology Diploma program, the 32-week adult Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Fuel Systems Certificate program, and the 42-week adult Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Performance Certificate program are all Pell Grant eligible.