Clearfield County Career & Technology Center

Diesel Equipment Maintenance and Repair  

The Diesel Equipment Maintenance and Repair program at Clearfield County Career & Technology Center is designed to train students in becoming qualified diesel mechanics that have the knowledge and skills to repair and maintain heavy duty trucks and heavy equipment. Students will acquire valuable hands-on experience in the service and repair of both gasoline and diesel engines. General maintenance and repair, as well as mechanical and technical work in specialized areas, are taught in the Diesel Equipment Maintenance and Repair program at Clearfield County Career & Technology Center

In the classroom, students receive in-depth lectures on diesel theory and learn the basics of the diesel engine system, including heavy duty truck systems, medium/heavy duty truck engines, and fuel and computerized management systems. Through lively class discussions, study materials, and written assignments, students develop critical thinking and reasoning skills, communication skills, and comprehension in both mathematics and technical writing. Topics of discussion include gear ratios, U.S. Standard and Metric measuring systems, effective shop management, and more.

In the laboratory, students gain practical hands-on training, carefully guided by their instructors as they learn how to troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair gasoline and diesel engines, fuel systems, brakes, electrical systems, diesel electronic systems, suspension and steering systems, drive trains, hydraulic systems, and air conditioning and heating systems. Students also acquire valuable hands-on experience in welding for diesel mechanics as well as preventative maintenance and inspections. 

Using service manuals, common hand tools, mechanic tools, machine tools, power tools, welding equipment, flame cutting equipment, precision measuring instruments, wiring schematics, electronic multi-meters, and computerized test equipment, students disassemble, inspect, diagnose, repair, and reassemble diesel and gasoline engines and their integrated system components.

Students will also learn about shop safety and the proper procedure for handling hazardous materials according to OSHA guidelines. Effective time management and teamwork will also be stressed as students work both independently and in groups to finish every task assigned to them by their instructors with accuracy, thoroughness, and speed. Professionalism and workmanship will also be stressed throughout the Diesel Equipment Maintenance and Repair program at Clearfield County Career & Technology Center. 

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Diesel Equipment Maintenance and Repair program at Clearfield County Career & Technology Center will be well-qualified to secure entry-level employment as certified:

• Differential Mechanics
• Hydraulic Mechanics
• Diesel Engine Repair Technicians
• Engine Overhaul Mechanics

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 Undergraduate Certificate

Clearfield County Career & Technology Center offers a 9-month Undergraduate Certificate in Diesel Equipment Maintenance and Repair. This program is Pell Grant eligible.