How Much Is There A Demand For Diesel Mechaninc?

[Jeff H]

I think I'm young enough to go to tech school yet. Since I like working on diesels I just thought I might think about going for diesel mechanics. I was leaning towards ag tractors. But anything is in the air right now. If you have any hint tips or sugestions I could use a few.

Thanks Jeff H.

 

[swamp rat]

Jeff,



I can tell you this old fart is seriously considering the same thing, especially since my current employer has a tuition refund program that will will reimburse me up to nearly 1/3 of the tuition. I have also heard there are some federal grants to which I may be eligible because I was forced from my previous occupation due to an on the job injury. Now that I have the time to pursue a educational/career change at the ripe old age of 44, I am intent on checking out the possibilities. NADC is supposed to the best there is in my part of the country from everything I've been told.



http://www.nadcedu.com/

 

[Alan Reagan]

Around central Georgia, GOOD mechanics are always in demand. The ones here that get the really good jobs, though, are the pump and turbo guys.

 

[Champane Flight]

Yeap

There is a awesome school in Laramie Wyoming Wyomingtech.

They have a good program from what I hear.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Speaking for the Railraod and being an ex Locomotive Diesel Mechanic, there is not a huge need for them in the North East. They do look for laborers, but there has not been a large demand for Locomotive engine mechanics.

 

[Grey Wolf]

Both of my boys attended UTI in Arizona for Auto/Diesel Mechanics and were picked up right away. The companys were coming to the school and signing them on before they even graduated so I would say there is quite a demand for Diesel mechanics!



http://www.uticorp.com/utiedu/index.html

 

[KatDiesel]

There is a demand.



I went to Denver Automotive and Diesel College. Two of my high school friends went to Wyoming Tech in Larmie. They always have people coming to the school "looking" for people. And most schools will help you obtain a job afterwards.



Some of the more "attractive" jobs are the mines in Wyoming ($$$) and then the Offshore oil rig jobs. Least when I was in school thats seemed to be the best ones. I was always interested in the "Train" related jobs tho..... almost went to work for a testing facilty in Pueblo (52 square miles of stuff to test lol) Had to do with trains... can't remember the name of it now.



It really depends on how serious you are about it.



However, tools will be a very heavy exspense unless they are provided for you (some jobs do). I was only at CAT for about a year and half when I left for UP and I already spent over $10,000 on tools. Thats a big part of the job people tend to overlook sometimes.



If you want to do it, go for it. My favorite "class" was hydralics, I even took it twice just to get some more info out of the teacher (Grove Crane mechanic for 30 years).

 

[illflem]

Fairbanks- Morse engine division is always looking for diesel mechs to work on the real big ones out of their Mpls MN headquarters. You are on the road 100% of the time, sometime overseas, 2 weeks on, 1 off, they train you and the pay is excellent. You will need to get Top Secret security clearance, so if you are a communist forget it.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Hey Kat, its the "TTC" or Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, that place is cool as hell

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by EMDDIESEL

Hey Kat, its the "TTC" or Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, that place is cool as hell

All I remember is its 52 square miles of facility to "Test" things hehe. Still trying to remember the "offcial" name of it that they advertised at my school. Keep wanting to say FRA but I know thats not right... thats just from work now. Which reminds me. . hows that derailment in Baltimore going? (the tunnel one?)



It sounded like a fun job and was going to apply for it when I got out of school... ... ... . but the railroad called instead.

 

[lgibson]

I was a heavy equipment mechanic before my accendent, and there is a big demand. I lived in Alaska and you just name your price, retire in 10 years or less. The should be starting the second pipeline soon and maybe running a gas line at the same time. Oh you bet there is a demand. And it is such a fun job.

 

[Mog]

Most construction equipment dealers & construction companies are always looking for diesel mechanics. I went to school at Southeast Comunity College in Milford, Nebraska. During the last couple of quarters every week we had stacks of papers with jobs on them from all over the world. I have worked at NE Machinery (CAT) for three years and right after I started they started having a scholarship program at each store that paid for schooling and your tools. Then when you are done with school you have to work there for two years. I would try to find a company you might like working at and see if they have any kind of scholarship program or reimbursment program.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

That was a nice derailment, that was Q412 a train i have handled many times. That tunnel comes right out next to the stadium where the Ravens play.



My mistake on the the name, its the: Transportation Technology Center and is operated by the AAR (Association of American Railroads) It was originally built for developing high speed trains but now its used for everything. It has 5 test tracks, the longest being 14. 7 miles. They test anything railroad related, Loco's, fright cars, Passenger cars, Track and structures, signals, etc. Anything you see on the rails today had its prototype tested there. The new Acela trains, all the EMD and GE locomotives. They also have training classes there and do consulting.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by EMDDIESEL

That was a nice derailment, that was Q412 a train i have handled many times. That tunnel comes right out next to the stadium where the Ravens play.



My mistake on the the name, its the: Transportation Technology Center and is operated by the AAR (Association of American Railroads) It was originally built for developing high speed trains but now its used for everything. It has 5 test tracks, the longest being 14. 7 miles. They test anything railroad related, Loco's, fright cars, Passenger cars, Track and structures, signals, etc. Anything you see on the rails today had its prototype tested there. The new Acela trains, all the EMD and GE locomotives. They also have training classes there and do consulting.

Thats the name I was trying to remember... ... AAR. Also if I recall that was one of the jobs where the tools were provided for you.



It sounded fun ecspecially since I lived in CO at the time. We ocasionally run a train down that way... to the place.

 

[RustyJC]

The oil & gas industry is really hurting for good engine & compressor mechanics. We're in a perpetual recruiting mode - can't fill our open field service headcount. Lots of big reciprocating engines, reciprocating and centrifugal compressors, gas turbines, computer and/or PLC-based control systems, etc.



Rusty

 

[dewdo]

I can see why I can't find a DC dealership with a decent diesel mechanic. I guess the ones they get are rejects from the industrial side of the diesel industry

 

[Jeff H]

dewdo

From the mechanics I've talked too. The dealers enjoy screwing them over on there wages. So the go else where.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Having never used the dealer i am seeing tommorow, i HOPE they have a competent diesel guy there to do my lift pump. I know its not something that requires diesel knowledge to do, i would just be happier if they knew about the Cummins. My fingers are crossed

 

[Des]

Go for it!!

The oil and gas industry service companies are in a real bind for good diesel mechanics right now. The service companies are always trying to hire good (and experienced) mechanics from other companies. But there are only so many experienced mechanics out there who want to work in a very demanding and different environment. I supervise a deparment with approx 130 units. Almost every unit has 2 engines. One under the hood and 1 on the deck (trailer or straight truck) We have just about all makes of diesel engines from the major engine builders. V16 CATs rated at 2250 BHP to little 4 banger 2 cylcle detroits that built the oil and gas industry. We even have 5 V12 Cummins. You can imagine the amount of maintence that must be pulled every day to keep them running. And it is not just engines - get to know the allison and twin disc transmissions if possible. If you are interested in a career, not just a job, drop me a line.



Good luck,



Des