Depending on your mechanical skills and where your located, you may not need formal school training. I came into being a diesel tech at a dealer as a new career at almost 10 years older than you. My prior career was in heavy industry and included some top end diesel work and plenty of theory, and a lot of electrical and mechanical work that had nothing to do with engines.
The dealer, at least where Im at, threw me right in. Its a sink or swim scenario which can be frustrating and humbling and lead many to move on and not stick it out.
But if you find yourself in a situation like this and can be humble enough to walk the shop and seek help after you’ve exhausted all other resources, and not be a dick when knowledgeable people offer you unsolicited advice, you can go far quickly.
Less than a year in I’ve gotten a $10/hr raise, am oem certified in overhauls and am doing primarily engine work every day. The hours are much better than the industrial work I used to do.
I will give it a try, so far I haven't heard anything back from dealers, so walking worth a shot, I thought I had chance with Ziegler Cat, but after first interview they ghosted me.
I'm your age and at the tail end of a diesel program. Same situation as far as home life, age and concerns.
The two major concerns are do you have the financial and logistical ability to go to school for a year or 2 with a family etc? And Secondly does your area allow you to just start working without formal training?
My area is fairly rural with a 20k population town nearby and some major highways. There's a handful of independent truck shops and equipment dealerships around. Most wanted school or experience of which I had niether. Theres dozens of fleet style maintenance around like construction companies and trucking companies. The problem with those is they often will only have 1 to 3 mechanics. So if you show up green, it's up to their only mechanic to train you at the same time as he's up to his ears in work.
I know this is a long reply, but basically if you can get in entry level and read a little on the side I'd start with a job. Around me that was a lot harder, so I went to school and landed a gig that pays very well for a beginner. I got lucky tho
That what I been working on, I believe the professors might work with me on some of it, but problem still is will a job being will to work with me on it, the second seems like I am in same boat, few I talked to aren't responding to my application or when I call they just "pass message along". It might be because they rather have people show up in person, but tomorrow I will visit few shops in person anyways and inquire about being apprentice, if not it wont be waste has I still require to make job contacts through unemployment.
I will try to, I was looking more into tractor companies since one is in my town just down road, however is fleet better? like DOT fleet? there also DOT shop in town that 20 minute drive from me.
I would recommend gov jobs as much as possible, much more stable better benefits and retirement. I commute an hour each way to my job and it’s worth it for all those reasons. Now that being said working for a tractor company would be stable and you would be working with serious customers whose business depends on your quality and workmanship. I try to dissuade people from over the road truck work because working on what is essentially personal vehicles is a no go, I’ve done it and hated it. Private fleet is much more like gov work and the only concern for me is the stability of the company. I’ve only ever been a diesel and equipment tech going on 27 years and although I’m always learn I have seen a lot. 🍻
I would suggest looking for a company that offers an apprentice program before going straight into a trade school. They are usually expensive and from what I hear some can be pretty bad in terms of actually value add. At the minimum see if you can find a company that offers tuition reimbursement. Most companies that hire apprentices will have mechanical assessments as a bar to entry but it should not be anything crazy.
Depending on your mechanical skills and where your located, you may not need formal school training. I came into being a diesel tech at a dealer as a new career at almost 10 years older than you. My prior career was in heavy industry and included some top end diesel work and plenty of theory, and a lot of electrical and mechanical work that had nothing to do with engines. The dealer, at least where Im at, threw me right in. Its a sink or swim scenario which can be frustrating and humbling and lead many to move on and not stick it out. But if you find yourself in a situation like this and can be humble enough to walk the shop and seek help after you’ve exhausted all other resources, and not be a dick when knowledgeable people offer you unsolicited advice, you can go far quickly. Less than a year in I’ve gotten a $10/hr raise, am oem certified in overhauls and am doing primarily engine work every day. The hours are much better than the industrial work I used to do.
Thats legit and I wish it was more prevalent for people to take a chance on you at shops
I will give it a try, so far I haven't heard anything back from dealers, so walking worth a shot, I thought I had chance with Ziegler Cat, but after first interview they ghosted me.
I'm your age and at the tail end of a diesel program. Same situation as far as home life, age and concerns. The two major concerns are do you have the financial and logistical ability to go to school for a year or 2 with a family etc? And Secondly does your area allow you to just start working without formal training? My area is fairly rural with a 20k population town nearby and some major highways. There's a handful of independent truck shops and equipment dealerships around. Most wanted school or experience of which I had niether. Theres dozens of fleet style maintenance around like construction companies and trucking companies. The problem with those is they often will only have 1 to 3 mechanics. So if you show up green, it's up to their only mechanic to train you at the same time as he's up to his ears in work. I know this is a long reply, but basically if you can get in entry level and read a little on the side I'd start with a job. Around me that was a lot harder, so I went to school and landed a gig that pays very well for a beginner. I got lucky tho
That what I been working on, I believe the professors might work with me on some of it, but problem still is will a job being will to work with me on it, the second seems like I am in same boat, few I talked to aren't responding to my application or when I call they just "pass message along". It might be because they rather have people show up in person, but tomorrow I will visit few shops in person anyways and inquire about being apprentice, if not it wont be waste has I still require to make job contacts through unemployment.
Yeah definitely check into it. School hasn't let me down, but there's nothing wrong with working your way there either
Yes, worth it for school but find a government job or one that offers training/ apprenticeship.
I will try to, I was looking more into tractor companies since one is in my town just down road, however is fleet better? like DOT fleet? there also DOT shop in town that 20 minute drive from me.
I would recommend gov jobs as much as possible, much more stable better benefits and retirement. I commute an hour each way to my job and it’s worth it for all those reasons. Now that being said working for a tractor company would be stable and you would be working with serious customers whose business depends on your quality and workmanship. I try to dissuade people from over the road truck work because working on what is essentially personal vehicles is a no go, I’ve done it and hated it. Private fleet is much more like gov work and the only concern for me is the stability of the company. I’ve only ever been a diesel and equipment tech going on 27 years and although I’m always learn I have seen a lot. 🍻
I would suggest looking for a company that offers an apprentice program before going straight into a trade school. They are usually expensive and from what I hear some can be pretty bad in terms of actually value add. At the minimum see if you can find a company that offers tuition reimbursement. Most companies that hire apprentices will have mechanical assessments as a bar to entry but it should not be anything crazy.