How Important Are Diesel Mechanics?

Without qualified, top rated diesel mechanics to keep trucks running safely there would be no trucking industry. Everything would have to go by rail with local drivers picking up and delivering to the rail yards. We don't have enough rail for this to happen and won't for many years to come.

Mechanics are as important as are the drivers to keep freight moving by trucks. I hear the stories on a daily basis from drivers all over this country screaming about bad shop results when drivers get their trucks out of 'sick bay'. Either the issue has not been fixed or it's worse. What happened to the mechanics of yesteryear who KNEW their craft and CARED about their job rating?

That answer can be summed up in a brief explanation but if you have anything to add, please do!

1) Skill centers associated with high schools and colleges are and have been closing down for quite some time. Community and state colleges all over the country can't get enough enrollment to keep the offer on their curriculums.
2) The last 2 generations find that they make better money using the keyboard than a wrench and it's much less dirty and labor intensive.
3) Pay for mechanics has not increased much over the years to match up with inflation.

Career Information for Graduates

As of May 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the middle half of the almost 223,000 diesel service technicians and mechanics employed nationally earned between $33,310 and $51,450 (www.bls.gov). The average hourly wage was $20.63 in 2011. Further, the BLS anticipated that the increased demand for long-distance hauling would spur the addition of 35,200 jobs to this field from 2010-2020, which is an employment NEED increase of approximately 15%.

Continuing Education Information

Diesel mechanics with two years of experience may opt to earn certification through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) to increase their marketability to prospective customers and employers. ASE offers many certification examinations, in addition to a master status certificate for those who have earned multiple certifications. After completing the fundamentals-level Diesel Engine Test, aspiring diesel mechanics may seek the Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist Certification, which proves their acumen in the evaluation and diagnosis of complex diesel engine malfunction. Lastly, some diesel mechanics may be required by their employers to acquire commercial driver's licenses.

4) Baby boomers, as we know, are retiring and the 'old hands' are fading away fast. For every 10 we lose there may only be 2 to replace them.

Our industry is not the only one affected of course. Employers MUST step up their game plan or we will be facing a shortage of mechanics this world has never seen! Horse and buggie is romantic but I don't for one second believe anyone wants us dependent on that mode of transportation for moving people, food, goods, vehicles or medical supplies. This is a scary situation folks!