The community is preparing for a shortage of trained diesel technicians in the Southwest Georgia area through concise efforts to thwart the issue. Albany Technical College will hold a special recognition of the revitalized Diesel Equipment Technology Program on Wednesday, January 16, 2018, 10 a.m., Freedom Hall, Room 113. Dr. Anthony Parker and employers from the community such as Dougherty County School System Transportation Department, Grady EMT, City of Albany, Penske and Procter & Gamble will be on hand to discuss the need for these workers and how it can affect our economy.

It’s no secret that qualified CDL truckers are in demand around the country. With the growing shipping fleets, additional technicians become necessary to keep up with demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, trucking will require an estimated 67,000 new technicians as well as 75,000 new diesel engine specialists by 2022 in the United States. Albany Technical College understands the need and locally we have prepared our Diesel Equipment Technology program by a revitalized mission to aggressively train at least 100 technicians annually and graduate a minimum of 75 qualified Diesel Service Technicians per year.

This “Revitalized” Program at Albany Tech includes initiatives that will encourage easy access for new student by providing low cost of tuition and books (Hope Grant Eligible and part of the Governors Initiative), a high placement rate, new industry driven instructional equipment, timely completion of the program (12-18 months), high career demand and flexible scheduling (day and evening classes).

Diesel service technicians (also known as diesel technicians) and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine. Fresh graduates committing to this field will not find themselves trained for a vanishing or slow developing industry. “This demands highly skilled, trained graduates that will need to keep up with industry changes. Albany Technical College steps up to the growing demand for regional workforce development realizing that the job market for Diesel Service Technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2016 to 2026,” says Dr. Anthony Parker, Albany Tech President.

In the past, most diesel service technicians and mechanics learned on the job after a high school education, but employers are increasingly preferring applicants who have completed postsecondary training programs in diesel engine repair. In addition, industry certification may be important. Following a structured program is imperative and required now days by most employers in the Albany Technical College service delivery area.

Albany Technical College is committed to the process of training and placing employees in decent jobs with decent salaries. Working relationships with employers is a very important part of the process. Albany Technical College is very proud to hold an average job placement of over 98% throughout all industry programs on campus. Diesel Service Technicians can be expected to work in government, motor parts and vehicle wholesale, manufacturing, repair and maintenance and truck transportation. Pay for Diesel Service Technicians in years to come will be higher than other median salaries in maintenance and repair occupations - $46,360 per year, 2017.

The program at Albany Technical College emphasizes a combination of truck, heavy equipment, marine
systems, or emergency power generator repair theory and practical application necessary for successful
employment depending on the specialization area a student chooses to complete. Program graduates receive a Diesel Equipment Technology diploma that qualifies them as entry-level Diesel Equipment technicians. One unique piece of training equipment that Albany Tech’s Diesel Equipment Technology Program offers is a fully functional 6.7-liter turbo diesel engine that is mounted on a mobile rack. It is used to easily train students on a running engine and the new diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system. Other training equipment includes: two Caterpillar engines, one Cummins engine, one complete steering axle/differential group from a telescopic handler, which is a rough terrain forklift, and one complete hydraulic, which comes complete with a hydraulic motor.