Diesel & Heavy Equipment

The South Seattle College Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology program trains students in all aspects of diesel and heavy equipment repair. Technicians are likely to:

• Repair and maintain trucks, buses, construction equipment, ships, trains, generators, tractors, power equipment and farm machinery
• Use laptop computers and scan tools to access fault codes and make accurate diagnosis of the problem. Technicians frequently use electrical multimeters, pressure gauges and flow meters to find the cause of mechanical failures. They replace worn and defective parts and they test equipment prior to its returning to service.
• Work indoors, but occasionally work outside if a vehicle needs repair on the road or at a job site. Most shops are well lighted, heated and ventilated.
• Move and lift tools and parts. May occasionally experience minor cuts and bruises, however, with proper safety training and practices the possibility of serious injury is alleviated.

South Seattle College’s Diesel and Heavy Equipment Program has formed a partnership with some of the area’s largest diesel employers to offer training for a diesel mechanic careers. Called the Diesel Industrial Sector Cohort (DISC), most students in this seven quarter program are sponsored by an employer with an eye towards employment before the student completes the program.