The diesel engine is the workhorse powering the Nation 's trucks and buses, because it delivers more power and is more durable than a Gasoline Engine. Diesel-powered engines also are becoming more widely used in light vehicles, including pickups and other work trucks.
Diesel service technicians and mechanics, also known as bus and truck mechanics, repair and maintain the diesel engines that power transportation equipment such as trucks, buses, and trains. Diesel technicians usually work indoors, although they sometimes make repairs to vehicles on the road. Technicians who work for companies that maintain their own vehicles spend most of their time doing “preventive” maintenance, to make sure that equipment will work safely and smoothly. During a routine maintenance check on a vehicle, technicians follow a checklist that includes inspection of brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, as well as other important parts. Following inspection, technicians repair or adjust parts that do not work and remove and replace parts that cannot be fixed.
Although many people qualify for diesel service technician and mechanic jobs through years of on-the-job training, employers recommend completion of a diesel engine training program. Employers prefer to hire graduates of training programs because these workers often have a head start in training and are able to quickly
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They were employed by almost every industry; but by most of those that use trucks, buses, and equipment to haul, deliver, and transport materials. The largest employer, the truck transportation industry, employed about one out of six diesel service technicians and mechanics! Employment of diesel service technicians and mechanics is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all other occupations. Careers as diesel service technicians attract many because of relatively high wages and the challenge of skilled repair