Students from Centralia College’s BAS Diesel Tech program visit Triad Machinery, Inc. in Sumner on Nov. 13.
By Emily Fitzgerald
For the C-C Chamber of Commerce
Those who attended the Chehalis Santa Parade on Dec. 7 and the Centralia Lighted Tractor Parade on Dec. 14 will see entry from Centralia College’s Diesel Technology program, which provides students with the technical knowledge and hands-on skills needed for high-demand careers in the logging, construction, mining, agriculture, and trucking industries.
Established in the early ‘80s with a new shop constructed in the ‘90s, the Diesel Technology Program uses a mixture of in-class instruction and hands-on training to educate students in welding and in the preventative maintenance and repair of diesel engines, electrical systems, hydraulics, transmissions, chassis, and HVAC systems.
“Students graduating with a diesel degree are in high demand. Typical starting wages are the mid to upper $20s. They are working for companies like Modern Machinery, Freightliner Northwest, Kenworth, Pape’, and many others,” said Diesel Technology Instructor Jake Conrad.
Centralia College introduced a new aspect to the diesel program, a four-year Bachelor’s in Science in Diesel Technology (BAS-DT), in 2014.
“There are only four schools in the country that offer a four-year degree in diesel, and Centralia is the only one west of the Rocky Mountains,” Conrad said. “The BAS-DT degree helps prepare them for additional opportunities in the diesel and heavy equipment industry.”
Courtesy Photo
A Centralia College Diesel Technology student works on a smoking engine
as part of an assignment in October.
Additional courses available for BAS-DT students include classes in management, electric vehicles, emissions, and alternative fuels.
The program also consists of a Diesel Club, which is made up of current Diesel Technology students and those taking their general education requirements ahead of starting their Diesel Technology classes.
“The Diesel Club has the most members of all the clubs on campus and participates in college and community activities,” Conrad said. “Lately the club has been barbequing at soccer games for fundraising and is currently hosting a firewood raffle with the proceeds getting split between the club and a scholarship for diesel students.”
The firewood raffle prize is a cord of mixed, split, and dried firewood. Two winners, who will each receive a cord, will be drawn on Dec. 2. Tickets are $1 each and can be purchased by texting Oliver at 360-916-1110.
The club will also help the Centralia Chamber of Commerce set up the stage for the Chehalis Santa Parade.
The Diesel Technology program is open to anyone who has been accepted into Centralia College. All applicants need to do is fill out an online application.
“A fall quarter start is preferred, but there is also a path for enrolling in winter or spring quarters. High school students are also eligible through Running Start,” Conrad said.
For more information, visit https://www.centralia.edu/pathways/tech-trades/diesel.aspx.
Courtesy Photo
Centralia College Diesel Technology students visit a TransAlta plant in October.
