The field of diesel technology can be as rewarding as it is challenging. If you’ve decided upon this career path, it’s important to start with a strong foundation. Selecting a high-quality program will ensure you gain the knowledge, hands-on experience, and support you need to succeed.

Pennco Tech offers a Diesel Technology program at our Blackwood, NJ, campus. Here, we offer advice to help you know what to look for when choosing a diesel mechanic school.

Experienced Instructors

The first hallmark of a quality diesel technology program is its instructors. Regarding a hands-on trade like diesel technology, textbook learning cannot compare with direct experience. Look for programs taught by instructors who have worked within the industry and can teach from personal, real-world experience. These instructors will be able to provide invaluable insights, such as:

• New trends and techniques to know
• Skills and qualities that employers seek
• How to problem-solve when a job doesn’t go as expected

These insights can’t be learned from a book. They can only be gained through years of experience working within the trade. When you are taking the first steps into your career, you can benefit greatly from the experience of others who have come before you. This makes for a stronger start, and ultimately a stronger career.

The Latest Technology

An in-depth understanding of technology is among the most essential skills for diesel technicians. Automotive technology is always changing with new developments like digital tools, remote monitoring, emissions reductions, and fuel-agnostic engines. Groundbreaking innovations like these have the potential to transform the industry for drivers and technicians alike.

If you enter the workforce without knowledge of these technologies, you may struggle to adapt to changing customer expectations. You will be unable to work with the newest equipment and machinery, and customers and employers will lose faith in your ability to keep up with the industry.

This is why it’s crucial to seek a program that lets you work with the latest tools and engines. These programs will provide a strong foundation in both well-established technologies and the latest innovations. After graduating, you’ll be empowered to work with a wide variety of engines while staying ahead of new developments as they emerge.

Certification Preparation

When selecting a school, you should also decide what type of education you want. You will find two types of programs:

• Certification: This type of program is focused on imparting the skills and knowledge necessary to earn a certification in diesel technology. Most take only a few months to a year; the one offered by Pennco Tech can be completed within 40 weeks.
• Associate degree: The second type of program is focused on earning an associate degree. This takes between 18 months and two years to complete. Courses cover a variety of topics, including math, speech, literature, and other core subjects, alongside diesel technology.

Though an associate degree may offer a more well-rounded education, earning your certification is likely your best bet for kickstarting a diesel technology career. Certification programs are shorter and often far more affordable than degree programs. This allows you to enter the workforce sooner and start gaining hands-on experience, which is invaluable in building toward better opportunities.

A Focus on Future Careers

When you enroll in a diesel mechanic program, your goal is to begin or enhance your career. The best schools, therefore, will be the ones that provide the most support toward achieving this goal. Support can go beyond the quality of the coursework. A career services department offers a significant advantage when it comes to securing a job placement after graduation. Look for services like:

• Career fairs highlighting local and national employers
• Personalized networking opportunities
• Resume and cover letter assistance
• Interview technique coaching
• Donated clothing such as pressed shirts and ties
• Professional development workshops
• Advertising and awareness for job fairs

All these services will improve your odds of securing a placement and allow for a smooth transition from the classroom into the workplace. The best schools won’t stop there, either. Pennco Tech offers lifetime career services. Whether you’re one year past graduation or 10 years into your career, our support will be available to help you advance your opportunities.

Financial Aid

A vocational school that provides financial aid for qualifying students makes career training available and accessible for a wider range of students. Penco Tech’s financial aid staff provides financial assistance, information, and advice to students and parents to remove barriers in meeting their higher education expenses.

Enroll in Diesel Mechanic School in New Jersey

If you think diesel technology is the right career for you, consider enrolling with Pennco Tech. Our diesel mechanic program at our Blackwood, NJ, location is taught by experienced instructors who have worked in the industry. They provide hands-on training using up-to-date diesel technologies to prepare students for success after graduation. Contact us today to learn more about our enrollment process.