Diesel Technology

Student working on diesel rig

Diesel Technology - Certificate - Heavy Duty Chassis Maintenance and Repair

If you’d like a high-paying career upon graduating from BTC, then you should consider Diesel. You’ll be prepared to work right away as a diesel technician, repairing and maintaining heavy trucks, buses, and road equipment like bulldozers and graders. Other positions you’d qualify for are diesel engine specialist, truck technician, marine technician, and construction and industrial machinery repair technician.

You will learn how to use leading-edge diesel technology, and work hands-on in an actual shop. Employers who hire graduates from the Diesel program include diesel automotive and trucking companies, rental companies, marine dealers, highway contractors, and farm and heavy equipment companies.

Employment Information

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

68% BTC graduate placement rate1

$52,146 starting annual wage2
$61,908 average annual wage2
$75,774 potential annual wage2

  • Employment and Wage Data Sources

    1Employment data come from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and reflect WA/OR employment for students enrolled at BTC between 2017-18 and 2019-20. Students are included in the employment rate if they left with a credential. Rates are not shown for programs with fewer than 10 students meeting the above criteria.

    2Whatcom County and WA State wage data come from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates and reflect 2018-21 employment. Wage data represent occupations that BTC faculty have identified as the most relevant career paths for program graduates. Note that these wages reflect employees with varying educational levels/credentials. For cases in which multiple occupations have been identified by faculty, a weighted percentile is calculated using each occupation’s percentile wage and employment size estimate. Wages are not shown for programs for which occupations do not meet the ESD’s minimum thresholds for publishing. If the program has wage data from the Washington SBCTC that involves shift work, these ESD wages reflect the same number of hours used in the annual wage calculation. Starting wage = 25th percentile, median wage = 50th percentile, wage potential = 75th percentile.

  • Estimated Program Costs

Tuition Fees and Rates overview page

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

This program admits students once a year, in the fall quarter.

 Additional Requirements:

Prior to enrolling in program classes, during the mandatory GET Started appointment, students will be required to present and attest the following to the Outreach, Advising, and Counseling Department:

  1. Present your valid driver's license;
  2. Attest that you presented a valid driver’s license to your program advisor and that you will notify your program faculty immediately if your driver’s license is suspended OR restricted for any reason.

 Important Program Notes:

  1. While it is not required to have a clean driving record to enter the program, some employers and internship providers in this field may only hire applicants who have a clean driving record;
  2. All General Education courses must be completed prior to the beginning of the 2nd year of the program.

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.

 

What are My Next Steps?

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Advising & Registration
4. Prepare to Attend

 

Classes

Total Program Credits: 62

  • Current Students: Learn how to use this page to register for classes

  • Quarter 1

  • AUTO 113HVAC4 CR
  • DET 100Introduction to Diesel Technology8 CR
  • DET 102Introduction to Diesel Technology Lab4 CR
  • AENGL 100Applied English5 CR

  • Quarter 2

  • DET 125Service Industry Support4 CR
  • DET 130Chassis Electrical Systems8 CR
  • DET 132Chassis Electrical Systems Lab4 CR
  • AMATH 100Applied Occupational Math5 CR

  • Quarter 3

  • DET 134Heavy Duty Chassis Systems9 CR
  • DET 136Heavy Duty Chassis Systems Lab6 CR
  • CMST& 210Interpersonal Communication5 CR

Program Outcomes

After successfully completing the Heavy Duty Chassis Maintenance and Repair certificate, students will be able to:

  • Comply with personal and environmental safety practices specific to the diesel industry.
  • Perform fundamental maintenance and repairs on diesel equipment.
  • Provide critical thinking skills while utilizing technical information to perform various repairs.
  • Communicate work performed using trade specific language while documenting critical aspects clearly and concisely.
  • Diagnose and repair fundamental electrical and electronic systems.

Employment Outlook

Jobs & Employment

The need for diesel technicians is high. People who enter this field will find favorable opportunities, especially as the need to replace workers who retire increases over the next decade.

About 78% of BTC Diesel students are employed within nine months of graduation. The average annual income in this field is $54,517, with an earning potential of about $64,210 per year.*

Driving citations will restrict or prevent student participation in some lab activities, internships and employment in the diesel repair industry.

Program graduates work as diesel technicians, repairing and maintaining the diesel engines that power transportation equipment, such as heavy trucks and buses. Other options include working on bulldozers, cranes, road graders, farm tractors, combines boat repair or service on a variety of diesel-powered electric generators, compressors, and pumps used in oil well drilling and irrigation systems.

Employers include diesel dealerships, diesel repair companies, diesel trucking companies, diesel marine dealers, farm equipment companies, and highway contractors. Potential positions include diesel engine specialist, truck technician, bus technician, construction and industrial machinery repair person, marine technician, ASE certified specialist, engine overhaul mechanic and service manager.

Faculty & Support

Photo of Marshall Link
Marshall Link
Diesel Technology
  • Personal Bio
    Marshall Link brings a strong background in the transportation industry with specializations in over-the-road trucks, engines and the electrical/electronics systems found in the complex world of multiplexed equipment. Marshall spent almost 11 years with Freightliner Northwest in Mount Vernon, WA where he stayed at the forefront of technological advances with factory specific training. He also holds alternative fuel certifications such as LP, Compressed Natural Gas, and Liquid Natural Gas. Prior to joining Bellingham Technical College, Marshall participated in numerous training classes and gained a behind the scenes view of how industry is currently producing trucks and engines. Marshall also was part of the Daimler Elite Support movement within the Freightliner/Wester Star truck networks that focused on Six Sigma/Lean principles. He is excited to share his industry expertise with the Diesel Technology students as he prepares them for a career in an ever advancing and growing industry.
  • Degrees and Credentials

    AAS, Diesel Technology, Bellingham Technical College

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

Contacts

If you have questions about this program or want help with the admissions steps to Bellingham Technical College, please email outreach@btc.edu.

Current students wanting academic planning and support, can connect with the program Instructor(s) or email TransportationNav@btc.edu