Central Lakes College
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Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology*
The Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology program at Central Lakes College is accredited by the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED).
The program allows students to acquire the necessary education and skills training needed to properly diagnose, service, and maintain diesel and heavy equipment. Students receive a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on training that focuses on the power train, electrical systems, electronic systems, hydraulic systems, hydrostatic systems, and engine systems found on the latest off-road construction equipment, including backhoes, crawlers, excavators, motor graders, front-end loaders, and skid steer loaders.
Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology Course Outline
The curriculum of the Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology program contains the following AED certified career-focused classes:
- Intro to Construction Equipment
- Intro to Operations
- Hydraulic Theory
- Hydraulic Lab
- Power Trains Theory
- Power Trains Lab
- Customer Service/Service Management I
- Customer Service/Service Management II
- Technical Writing Fundamentals
- Writing Fundamentals for Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technicians
- Electrical Theory
- Electrical Lab
- Engine Theory
- Engine Lab
- On Highway Vehicle Systems Theory
- On Highway Vehicle Systems Lab
- Diesel Internship
- CDL
Students who are enrolled in the two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree program will also be required to take Applied Math, and Language Fundamentals and must select at least three more general education classes equal to 16 credits. The On Highway Vehicle Systems Theory class and On Highway Vehicle Systems Lab class are both prerequisites. Students also have the opportunity to obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL). All students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in order to graduate. Students are also required to supply their own set of basic tools.
The Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology Diploma program is an 21-month program with an accelerated six week Summer session. Students who are enrolled in the Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology Diploma program will also be required to take Applied Math, and Language Fundamentals. The On Highway Vehicle Systems Theory class and On Highway Vehicle Systems Lab class are both prerequisites. All students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in order to graduate. Students are also required to supply their own set of basic tools.
From College to Career
Graduates of the Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology program at Central Lakes College will be well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and training needed to pursue a rewarding career as a diesel mechanic in today’s complex and fast growing diesel and heavy equipment industry.
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 Minnesota was $45,780 yearly and $22.01 hourly, 1% higher than the national average.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree and Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician Diploma
Central Lakes College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology. Central Lakes College also offers a 21-month Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician Diploma. Both the Associate of Applied Science Degree program and the Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician Diploma program are Pell Grant eligible.
*Program is accredited by the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED).