Course Overview

Farmers, commercial truck drivers and firefighters are among the many who rely on diesel-powered vehicles and mobile equipment to do their jobs. In our Diesel Medium & Heavy Truck Technology course, students learn how diesel technicians keep harvesters, truck tractors, fire trucks and other big machines rumbling the right way.

They master the following skills while working with vehicles manufactured by Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack Trucks, Navistar, Peterbilt, Volvo and many others:

• Inspect suspension and steering systems; repair or replace their components
• Inspect brake systems and drivelines; repair or replace their components
• Inspect diesel engines; repair or replace their components
• Inspect air intake, exhaust and fuel systems; repair or replace their components
• Inspect cooling, electrical and electronic systems; repair or replace their components

Guided by a curriculum developed with industry input, students sharpen their skills in a course lab outfitted with fixed and mobile hydraulic vehicle lifts, a gantry crane, a computerized diagnostic system and other industry-standard equipment. Instruction begins with shop safety, proper tool use and other fundamentals before advancing to activities like performing a diesel engine tune-up or replacing a cylinder head.

Supervised by their instructor, students gain real-world experience by servicing vehicles for local fire and ambulance companies, as well as LCTI’s commercial driver’s license courses.

Our Diesel Medium & Heavy Truck Technology course is accredited by the following organization:

NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation)

Course Details

Course length: 9 months

Next start date(s): Fall 2025 dates TBD

Tentative schedule: 8:15 am – 2:45 pm, M-F

Program availability is contingent on high school enrollments and open seats.

Credentials & college credit

Students who complete our course earn the following industry-recognized credentials:

• ASE Student Certification via NATEF
• Certified Safety Inspector via PennDOT
• S/P2 Heavy-Duty/Diesel Technology via S/P

Students who complete our course are well-positioned to earn associate degrees at the following school(s):

• Lehigh Carbon Community College

Career pathways

with credentials earned at LCTI:

• Fleet Maintenance Technician
• Mobile Equipment Technician
• Service/Parts Clerk

with credentials + experience:

• Manufacturers’ Representative
• Shop Foreman
• Transit Vehicle Inspector

with additional postsecondary training or college degree:

• Aircraft Technician
• Master Diesel Technician
• Mechanical Engineering Technician

Learn more about potential career pathways.

Contact Amy Rex at 610-799-1316 or rexa@lcti.org for registration details, more information, or for a personalized tour.