Western Technology Center

Diesel and Ag-Related Technology  

The Diesel and Ag-Related Technology program at the Western Technology Center provides students with a basic understanding of gas and diesel powered engines. In the classroom, students learn about the fundamentals of the diesel engine system and the fundamentals of machinery maintenance. 

Through in-depth lectures, class participation, and academic assignments, students strengthen their reasoning and problem solving skills, while developing strong skills in mathematics and technical writing.

In the training facility, students are carefully guided by their instructors, as they watch live demonstrations and acquire valuable hands-on training, inspecting, testing, and fixing, external combustion engines, electrical systems, diesel electronic systems, power trains, hydraulic systems, and medium/heavy diesel truck heating and air conditioning systems. Students also receive hands-on experience in agricultural welding applications, learning about the proper use of torches and welding related equipment, as they are trained in basic welding and aluminum welding by their instructors. Preventive maintenance service and inspection and heavy machinery maintenance is also part of the hands-on training process at the Western Technology Center. 

By disassembling, inspecting, diagnosing, repairing, and reassembling various diesel engines and their intricate system components, using digital diagnostic machines, wiring diagrams, service manuals, hand tools, gauges, and power tools, students acquire the technical knowledge and mechanical skills needed to succeed in the diesel truck and heavy machinery repair field. 

Students also learn about the value of teamwork and effective time management while developing strong communication skills and a positive workplace attitude, as they work alone and in teams to complete the assignments given to them by their instructors in an efficient and timely manner. Shop safety, proper handling of hazardous materials, and professionalism are also discussed and practiced throughout the 37-week program.

What to Expect After College 

Students who successfully complete the Diesel and Ag-Related Technology program at the Western Technology Center will be fully qualified to attain entry-level employment as a diesel mechanic or inspection technician in the heavy construction industry, natural gas compression industry, oil exploration and extraction industry, logging industry, mining industry, truck repair and bus repair industry, and at agricultural equipment dealerships, farms, and ranches.

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 Oklahoma was $40,550 yearly and $19.49 hourly, just 11% lower than the national average.

The Undergraduate Certificate

The Western Technology Center offers three separate Undergraduate Certificates in Diesel and Ag-Related Technology. The first program is a 37-week Undergraduate Certificate program in Diesel and Ag-Related Technology with a Diesel/Agriculture Related Technician concentration. The second program is a 390-hour Undergraduate Certificate program in Diesel and Ag-Related Technology with a Medium/Heavy Diesel Technician Workforce Transition concentration. Finally, the third program is a 300-hour Undergraduate Certificate program in Diesel and Ag-Related Technology with a Medium/Heavy Preventative Maintenance Technician concentration. The 37-week Undergraduate Certificate program is Pell Grant eligible.