Diesel tech schools?

[Will24]

I graduated high school in june and for this year I do not have plans of further education, I'd like to wait a year and then begin school next fall. I'd like to go to school for diesel technologies but I'd like to stay relatively close to home. I looked in to Automotive Training Center in Exton, PA (http://www.autotraining.com ) but there diesel program is sort of meager. They do have diesel engine and heavy chassis portions of their program however that is limited to I believe 8 weeks total class time, the rest of the course is mixed with the auto/ light truck classes (for transmissions, brakes, electrical, etc) I'd like to find something close to home (relatively) that offers what I am looking for. A school that offers the program I am looking for is PennTech (part of Penn State) there program can be seen here - http://www.pct.edu/degrprog/dd.shtml





Anyone have any comments? PCT is 4 hours from my house I'd like to not go that far if possible, but you never know.







Any and all info and advice is appreciated





-Will

 

[Whitmore]

Hey Will

Laramie Wyoming is said to be one of the best diesel schools offered and they have some cute chicks running around town too... ... ... ... ... ... ... Kevin

 

[K_Arts]

I know you said you want to stay close to home, but if you for some reason want to get away from home and go to a good diesel tech school, Denver has one of the top schools.



Denver Automotive and Diesel Colllege



Good Luck with the searching.



Kev

 

[78repowerwagon]

I know you want to stay close to home, but if that changes look into Oklahoma State University in Okmulgee. I went there and in my opinion it is top notch. It is a two year program or three if you go home in the summer.



By the way, excellent choice in cars. I just sold my 69 Hemi Road Runner. I still have my 68 and 70 though.

 

[Jeff H]

I found a pretty good school. They deal with it all. Truck and farm tractors. Diesel, Transmission,Hydraulics,eletrical. I like it because they go into injection pump repair,test & rebuild.

Its located in a small town. Wich makes it sorta difficult if you need a job and a place to live while going to school. I'm not going to colledge as of yet sorta undecided.

Name of the school Is MN West. The class is in Canby MN.

 

[Briar Hopper]

Nashville Auto Diesel College, in Nashville, TN, has an incredible reputation. I'm friends with several guys who have graduated from there, and they definitely got their money's worth of training.

 

[KatDiesel]

I went to Denver Automotive and Diesel... . good school. Wyoming Tech in Larimie, WY is one of the best as well. Theres also a good one in AZ but the name escapes me right now.



I know BigYellowIron goes to a school somehwere in MO.



I know these aren't "close" to home. . but it might help.

 

[bighammer]

I took a course at Owens Community College and was impressed with their facility and ties to the manufacturers. (some big names, just can't remember which ones) It's on the southern edge of Toledo. Might be worth checking out. I sure enjoyed it.

 

[GiesJ]

what Whitmore said.

I even think Wyotech is expanding to have branches in PA and Somewhere on the west coast.

http://www.wyomingtech.com/index.asp

 

[lgibson]

I went to Universal Technical Institute in Phoeix, Az. They have schools all over the US. They have auto, auto body, diesel, hot rod, motorcycle, NASCAR, and some others.



www.uticorp.com



Check them out, I met the owner and he was a real good man and they are one of the oldest and largest trade school around.



Just a thought



PS they train for manufactorers also, So if you want BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes, and others. I believe the only diesel man. is International but not sure. Call a rep.

 

[Grey Wolf]

I agree with lgibson, both of my boys went to UTI and are both Diesel Mechanics

 

[sberrio]

will24

Will,

It does me no good to say this (you are out of my recruiting zone), but have you looked at the Army. Talk to a recruiter (someone who has spent a few years in the Army, and has been around). Yes, it is his job to paint a good picture for you, but if you prepare yourself you can ask the proper questions.

There are several things the Army can provide you with.

Experience: without this you are worthless to most employers. Face it not to many employers are looking for 20 year kids.

Training: 200+ jobs depending on your qualifications(note, jobs are military oriented, everything will be green)

Education: from $28,8K to $50k for 3 to 4 years of service

Money: I have NEVER had a money problem, the guy I put in last night will recieve a $16,000 bonus for 4 years.

Serve your Country: Have you seen all the US flags that are flying now? On cars, trucks, houses, everywhere? Most of those people have never worn a uniform. EARN the right to call yourself an American.



Look, sorry for the rant at the end, but you should consider this. No don't look at the reserves, or the National Girls. Look at the Army, it is the only service that will guarentee your enlistment options BEFORE you join. To find your recruiter look at www.goarmy.com. If you want to ask me any questions, send me an email at simon. berrio@usarec. army. mil, or call me at work at (401) 578-0425.

Like I said, this does not benefit me, but you should consider it.

simon

 

[sberrio]

almost forgot

After the Army. Go to one of the outstanding schools, the other guys have mentioned.

simon

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by lgibson

Check them out, I met the owner and he was a real good man and they are one of the oldest and largest trade school around.

Actually the order of age is :



Denver Automotive and Diesel (1963)

Universal Technical Institute (1965)

Wyoming Tech (1967)





I went to DADC, two of my high school buddies went to Wyo Tech, and I know of one person went to UTI ... ... . as I said above all three schools are excellent and well known.

 

[98rammer]

will, i still have one more year of high school left (blah), but i'm already signed up to go to Wyotech. i wanted to stay in Maine or New Hampshire, but with the reputation and setup of wyotech, i chose to go there. it's 6 months of hardcore diesel (8. 5 hours a day) and then another 3 months of something else- which i will be taking the business application course. Cummins Northeast already said that they'd higher me right out of college starting at 60k a year as of right now so that makes me happy. too bad, wyotech has also opened up one in PA, but not with the diesel course (or i would go there).

 

[Will24]

Thanks for all the input so far guys, keep it coming! I appreciate everything everyone has said so far but perhaps I should mention why I want to stay somewhat local, I have to pay for it myself!



I'd love to be able to go away to school but working to pay for school, an apartment, and my current truck payment (1 year left) would probably kill me before I'd ever need a decent job





-Will

 

[lgibson]

will24, Call and talk to the schools. I know, through UTI, International will pay for your school if you will come work for them for 6 months or so. It does not cost anything to give them a call. I am sure other schools have something simular. Also try checking around at diesel shops in your area. If you have some knowhow they may hire you as a trainie and you will get hands on and get paid some for it. Diesel mech. are in short supply, or should I say good mechanics.

So pick up a phone and call the schools and shops, what do you have to loose? Also check with the schools for grants, and scholarships; you will be suprised how much money you can get back after paying for school. Talk to Financial Aid, some schools have Fed. Work Study which you get so many hours of work and get paid while you go to school. Do not let money stop you. I just finish school and only had $500 a month in annuities comming in, all the rest came from grants and scholarships. You would be suprised how many scholarships go unclaimed every year. Pick up the phone today. and Good luck.

 

[lgibson]

One other thing; I went to UTI but only went through the auto program, this was in 1987-88. I worked for 9 years as a auto mechanic then got a job as a heavy equipment mechanic in Las Vegas. Good pay and a lot of fun. I had no bosses around me, I just checked on equipment and fixed or serviced what needed. In 3 short months I was second in charge of the other mechanics and was just about to take over the supervisors posision. I was in a car accident and can never do that work again. I am now working at a College as a Public Safety Dispatcher. That is how I know about schools and what is avilable.

 

[TboneMan]

It looks like your closer to Philly than Pitt. There is a State University of NY college in Alfred, NY (near the PA boarder 1 hour West of Binghamton) that offers a 2 year degree.



I know a kid going through the program. He seems to enjoy it.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Denver Diesel is great, also Engine city Tech in Union NJ is a nice smaller school.