Tulsa Tech is helping student’s kick off 2020 with a path to an in-demand career. January will kick-off a brand new Light Diesel Truck Service Technician program on the Broken Arrow campus.

The nine-month program is designed to help meet the growing needs of our industry partners.

The number of diesel engines on the road is growing and so is the need for people to fix them. Over the last three years (2016-2018) the number of class 2 and 3 diesel vehicles on the roads rose by more than 30%, according to data from the U.S. Automotive Industry. 

Students in the program will learn how to diagnose and repair problems with light and medium-duty diesel engines. These vehicles include the popular one-ton trucks you see on Tulsa roads every day.  Students will also be able to earn their Class B driver’s license. The license is critical since students must be able to drive the vehicle in order to make sure it is fixed.

Beyond maintenance, the hands-on program will teach students how to diagnose and repair every part of the vehicle, from the engine and transmission to the braking and electrical systems. Students completing the program will then be able to take the skills to a wide range of employers, including light-duty dealerships, fleet companies or independent truck performance shops.

Students achieving the certifications offered in the program can expect to start out earning near $40,000 a year, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry as a whole is also expected to grow over the next decade.

With recent changes to Oklahoma law for commercial driver’s l, students can also consider Tulsa Tech’s Professional Truck Driver Training.

 The five-month program gives students hands-on, behind the wheel experience. Simulated and on-campus driving helps develop the skills needed to operate large trucks, including tractor-trailers and large commercial dump trucks.