Central Pennsylvania Diesel Institute

Heavy Truck Repair  

The privately owned and state licensed Heavy Truck Repair program at the Central Pennsylvania Diesel Institute has been preparing individuals for entry-level employment in the diesel industry since 2005, and continues to grow each year. Students acquire a mixture of classroom instruction and practical hands-on training. Small class sizes allow students to receive more one-on-one training from the instructors than most other colleges and technical schools. Classes are held four days a week, Monday through Thursday, giving students a three-day weekend to finish homework assignments, relax, and re-energize.

Through classroom lectures and written assignments, students learn about the fundamentals of the diesel engine system, while developing important thinking, reasoning, and communication skills.

In the training facility, students are guided by their instructors as they learn, hands-on, how to properly inspect, diagnose, and repair, diesel engines, air brake systems, air and exhaust systems, crankshafts, fuel injection systems, electronic fuel systems, electrical systems, heavy duty steering and suspension, transmissions, and clutches. Students will also receive valuable hands-on training in precision measurement, welding and cutting, clutch installation and operation, rear axle rebuild and operation, transmission rebuild and operation, and engine valve and injector adjustment.

Using complex diagnostic equipment, wiring schematics, technical manuals, hand tools, precision measuring instruments, electronic multi-meters, and power tools to disassemble, inspect, diagnose, repair, and reassemble various diesel engines and their integrated auxiliary systems, rear axles, and transmissions, students acquire the specialized knowledge, technical skills, and mechanical aptitude every professional diesel mechanic needs in order to succeed in today’s rapidly changing diesel industry. 

Shop safety, ethics, teamwork, and time management are also stressed throughout the Heavy Truck Repair program at the Central Pennsylvania Diesel Institute.

From Education to Occupation

Students who finish the Heavy Truck Repair program at the Central Pennsylvania Diesel Institute will be equipped with the comprehensive knowledge and specialized training training necessary to qualify as an entry-level diesel mechanic specializing in heavy truck repair.

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 Pennsylvania was $42,770 yearly and $20.56 hourly, just 6% lower than the national average.

The Entry-Level Certificate

The Central Pennsylvania Diesel Institute offers an 9-month Entry-Level Certificate in Heavy Truck Repair. This program is Pell Grant eligible.