Heavy Vehicle Training: Where can I learn in Hampton Roads?

Do you love working on your own car? Do you want to join a career where you will working on large diesel vehicles? If you have answered yes to these two questions, then becoming a heavy vehicle or diesel mechanic may be the right career choice for you. Diesel engines offer the lowest fuel usage in a large internal combustion engine.

Due to the increase in production over the last couple of years, truck engines are now being used in the U.S. more than ever before. Diesel engines are used in larger trucks because they provide high efficiency, low stress, higher lifespan, and lower costs of operation. All these advantages make diesel engines ideal for the heavy haul industry.

What Heavy Vehicle Mechanics Do

Heavy vehicle mechanics inspect and repair vehicles that are powered by diesel engines. This includes trucks, buses, construction machines, and submarines. To be able to diagnose and conduct repairs, these mechanics have to check batteries, inspect parts and systems, and adjust wheels. To become a heavy vehicle mechanic, you will need to have a deep knowledge of diesel engines and electrical systems.

Additionally, you should have good mechanical and customer-service skills. Recent projections indicate that there will be an 8 percent faster-than-average increase in heavy vehicle technicians between 2016 and 2026 which means an additional 14,900 jobs (according to the BLS). However, to join this field, you will need some formal education.

Why Should you Receive Formal Training when Joining this Field

To become a diesel mechanic, you may only require a high school diploma. But, you will need about 3 to 4 years of training. However, according to the BLS, formal training could increase your employment opportunities. An associate’s degree program will equip you with power generation and diesel engine fundamentals. Because diesel engines now incorporate electronic components, you will also learn how to use computer diagnostic software.

To succeed in this career, you should start preparing as early as high school. Pursue courses in computers, math, and electronics. In case your school has a basic automobile course, you should take advantage of it as well. Such courses will give you a taste of working in vehicles. Keep in mind that most of the concepts applied in automobiles are applicable to diesel-powered vehicles, and this will give you a head start when you proceed to pursue your associate’s degree.

For most of us, becoming a heavy vehicle mechanic is a passion. Repairing heavy vehicles will give you a real sense of accomplishment. This is what a skilled diesel engine mechanic should do. However, to reach there, going to school and pursuing a course in heavy vehicle mechanics is a great idea regardless of whether you want to find a job or you just want to work on trucks as a hobby.

Keep in mind that practice is very important in this field, but practicing something the wrong way is detrimental. Formal education will provide you with guidance and teach you techniques that you may not have discovered on your own.

How Going to a Hands-on School Could Help you

Learn the best methods and techniques

Working on big and heavy vehicles can be a time-consuming job, and you may find yourself lacking in knowledge of the best methods if you never went to school. Learning how to do something from experienced professionals will help you save time and you can quickly move from one job to another. Additionally, learning the right methods to repair something will make your work more trustworthy.

Make yourself more attractive to potential employers

While a few people will take heavy vehicle mechanical courses to be able to work on their own vehicles, most people pursuing mechanical studies are looking for a career in this field. Although you may only need a high school diploma to become a heavy vehicle mechanic, in practice this is usually not the case. Most employers require different levels of training and experience.

Jump-start your career

The truth is that the heavy vehicle mechanics field is growing as manufacturing industries expand in the U.S. which means there is a strong potential for employment in the future.

You’ve most likely heard of the alarming shortage of skilled tradespeople in the United States as baby boomers retire. If you’re interested in becoming a heavy vehicle mechanic, now is the best time to get the training you need to get started. Visit Advanced Technology Institute and enroll in the Associate in Occupational Science Degree (A.O.S) in Heavy Vehicle Technology today. For more information about this course, connect with an academic advisor at ATI today.