Diesel
Area of Study

Diesel Technology

Master Truck Service Technology (MTST) accredited program designed to train students in Diesel Engines, Drive trains, Brakes, Steering & Suspension systems, Electrical & Electronic systems, HVAC, Cab Instrumentation, and Hydraulics.

Northeastern's Diesel Technology Program trains students for the medium to heavy duty truck industry.

Students will still get additional training on other equipment including tractors and construction rigs as the program believes it is important for well-trained technicians to have experience in all these areas. At the end of this program, if it has a diesel engine, you’ll know how to work on it!

Northeastern’s program meets ASE Education standards. Students are trained to be employed in entry level positions, including but not limited to van fleet maintenance, local fire and rescue operations, BNSF Railway, UPS, Fed-Ex, mining operations, and farm equipment dealers to name a few—and the demand for these new technicians is huge. You’ll step into this program and immediately begin learning about engine maintenance and repair, brakes, hydraulics, electrical diagnostics, preventive maintenance, steering and suspension.

What’s best of all is that you’ll get to do live work. The Diesel Tech shop is well equipped with tools and is constantly being updated to make sure students have what they need in order to learn.  Diesel Technology at Northeastern is proud of the many partnerships that have been established with Freightliner, CAT, Transwest, Halliburton, RTD, Wickham Tractor, Case IH, John Deere, and Cummins, to name a few.

These companies have donated valuable equipment and host online web-based training for Northeastern Diesel students. These connections and partnerships translate into employment opportunities for graduating students.

Diesel Technology first year students will be provided a basic set of tools to use to perform various lab assignments.  Second year students are required to have their own tools so that upon completion of the program they will be equipped to go right to work.  Several tool company sales representatives visit our facility and offer special discounts to students.

Northeastern’s program is one of the most affordable in the state, if not the region. Students may live on campus and enjoy an “entire college experience” while completing their technical training. This alone makes our program especially unique. Our technicians get extensive one on one instruction, doing live work, when they are at the diesel facility. When classes are over, students enjoy the many fun aspects of college life on the main campus.

Excellent instruction awaits you at Northeastern. You’ll be learning from individuals who have worked in the industry and know first hand what needs to be taught in order for technicians to truly be job-ready.

We are also proud of our Auto Diesel Master Technician (ADMT) certification with Northeastern's Auto Technology Program.

Northeastern's Diesel Technology Program has a limited number of seats available that are generally full by May.  If you are interested, make sure to reserve a spot right away by calling the Northeastern Diesel instructors to be put on the student list.

Check out the Applied Technology Campus Expansion

Please complete the Diesel Program Application once you have applied at Northeastern.

 Diesel technicians usually work in well-ventilated and sometimes noisy repair shops. They occasionally repair vehicles on roadsides or at worksites.

Diesel service technicians and mechanics held about 278,800 jobs in 2016. The largest employers of diesel service technicians and mechanics were as follows:

  • Truck transportation 18%
  • Wholesale trade 14%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals 9%
  • Automotive repair and maintenance 8%
  • Self-employed workers 7%

Work Schedules: Most diesel technicians work full time. Overtime is common, as many repair shops extend their service hours during evenings and weekends. In addition, some truck and bus repair shops provide 24-hour maintenance and repair services.

Injuries and Illnesses: Diesel service technicians and mechanics have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. They often lift heavy parts and tools, handle greasy or dirty equipment, and work in uncomfortable positions. Sprains and cuts are common among these workers. Diesel technicians need to follow some safety precautions when in the workplace.

Required to start 2nd year

  • Tool Box sufficient to hold tools
  • Hex Key Wrench Set - Standard (.050" - 3/8") (7/16" - 1/2" optional)
  • Hex Key Wrench Set - Metric (2mm - 12mm)
  • Stud-to-Post or Charging/Test Adapter
  • Chisels - Cold 5/8", 3/4"
  • Combination Wrenches - Standard (3/8" - 1") (up to 1 and 1/4" optional) Metric (6mm - 19mm) (up to 24mm optional)
  • Digital Multi-meter - minimum 10 meg. ohms impedance CAT III ( Fluke 87 or 88)
  • Electrical Pliers - Crimper/Stripper
  • Files and Handles - 12" Fine 12" Coarse 12"
  • Half Round Flare Nut Wrench Set - Standard (3/8" - 3/4") Metric (7mm - 19mm)
  • Flashlight ( pocket)
  • Goggles - (per OSHA requirements)
  • Hack Saw
  • Hammers - Ball Peen - 16 oz. and 24 oz. Soft Face 3lb sledge
  • Hearing Protection - (per OSHA requirements)
  • Inspection Mirror
  • Magnetic Pickup Tool
  • Mechanic's Steel Ruler - Machinist Rule
  • Pliers - Adjustable Joint Locking Pliers Needle Nose Side Cutters
  • Slip-joint Punches - Pin 3/16" - 3/8" Starter 3/16" - 3/8"
  • Aligning Punch Set Brass punch Center punch
  • Punch holder
  • Safety Glasses (Side Panels) - (per OSHA requirements)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of diesel service technicians and mechanics is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 28,500 openings for diesel service technicians and mechanics are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

  • NJC 470613 DIESEL TECHNOLOGY 49-3023 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
  • NJC 470613 DIESEL TECHNOLOGY 49-3031 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median annual wage for diesel service technicians and mechanics was $48,690 in May 2021.

Stamp of approval comes from respected national organization

In 1967 when the automotive technology program was started at Northeastern Junior College in the old Jamison Hall building located on Second Street, it was enough for a student to have a love of cars, a passion for engines and the ability to turn a wrench. Most automotive repair involved taking things out and putting things back in. Times have certainly changed. Today’s automotive and diesel technicians have to be computer savvy, be good at math and know electronics pretty well plus understand aerodynamics and they have to know how to turn a wrench, but with far greater precision. For NJC, staying up on automotive technology has been one of the great challenges of the program and also one of the biggest demands of the industry. 

Being recognized by the ASE Education Foundation for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a huge stamp of approval on any automotive training program. Northeastern recently received designation on not one, but two of its automotive programs. The automotive technology program was renewed for ASE certification and the diesel program received this recognition for the first time this year.

The purpose of the accreditation process for automotive technician training program is to improve the quality of training offered at secondary and post-secondary, public and proprietary schools.

To get this accreditation, both of the college’s programs were closely evaluated by NATEF  in all areas from its facilities to the number of instructional hours. NJC clearly demonstrated that it has skilled instructors and the latest tools and equipment to engage and teach students well in these areas.

“We are proud of this coveted recognition and our ability to produce competent technicians and employable students so desperately needed by the automotive industry,” says Stanton Gartin, Vice President of Academics at the college.

The motor vehicle repair industry has taken on a new sophistication. It requires advanced technical training and computer literacy and expects the top training programs across the nation to train technicians that have thorough knowledge of automotive systems and components, good computer skills, excellent communication skills, above average mechanical aptitude, good reasoning ability; ability to read and follow instructions; and manual dexterity

NATEF examines the structure and resources of training programs and evaluates them against nationally accepted standards of quality. The evaluation process ensures that accredited training programs meet or exceed industry-recognized, uniform standards of excellence.

Accreditation of an automotive training program brings with it program credibility, prestige, recognition, and overall program improvement. The accreditation process benefits everyone: schools, students, future employers, and the automotive service industry.

To achieve this accreditation and associated certification, the NJC program had to undergo a program self-evaluation followed by a NATEF review of these self-evaluation materials. This was followed with an onsite evaluation where several key individuals recognized by NATEF did a visit to the NJC site. When industry requirements are met, the program being evaluation will become accredited for a period of five years.

Playing a huge role in the ASE Accreditation for NJC was the automotive program advisory committee at NJC. Program advisory committees are organized to provide advice and assistance to the teachers and administrators of specific programs. These advisory committees assist with ongoing curriculum development and program evaluation.

Serving on the automotive advisory program committee at NJC is Wally Beardsley representing Re-! Valley School District, Tim Richie, NAPA Auto and Truck Parts, Arlin Dressel of ALD Automotive (Yuma, CO) Mike Schadegg of Wolf Auto, Rob Ahlbrandt of MHC Kenworth (Greeley, CO) Cherie Brungardt of NJC, Cindy Carey of NJC, Mike Fracchinello of Korf (Yuma, CO) Mike Gillespie of Charlie’s Diesel Service, Diana Haas of RE-1 Valley School District, Jeff Osuch of Erlich Toyota East (Fort Morgan, CO) and Eric Weber of Korf Continental. These advisory committee members should be especially proud of helping guide the NJC programs to this ASE credentialing. 

 

ATC Program Student Learning Outcomes:

  1. Analyze and interpret codes, standards, prints, and schematics.
  2. Demonstrate safe work practices while working with equipment and tools.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to earn industry certifications.
  4. Integrate problem solving skills to perform physical tasks.
Colton Faubion
Student Profile
Colton Faubion

It just sounded like it would be a great fit for the path I chose.

Tyler Laferriere
Student Profile
Tyler Laferriere

When I visited Northeastern and the diesel shop, I fell in love with it.

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