Tips for Becoming a Diesel Mechanic in Kentucky

Down here in the sticks of the Bluegrass State, we country folks sure do love getting muddy and going off-road in our jacked-up diesel trucks. Many times, though, we take things a little too far and find ourselves stuck. We also tend to mess things up on our trucks. But that's not a problem because we have a diesel mechanic here in my area who does top-notch work on diesel vehicles.

Regardless of your age, if you have a desire to work on diesel engines, it's never too late to establish a career in this line of work. Best of all, this is a job that tends to pay quite well and is accompanied by a high level of job stability. 

There are several steps that you'll need to complete before earning the legitimate title of diesel mechanic in Kentucky. Sure, without following these steps, you can open your own shop and perform a variety of diesel-related tasks, but you won't be able to acquire insurance for your shop, nor will you be able to attract a lot of customers.

Gain Experience
As soon as you decide you want to become a diesel mechanic in Kentucky, it'll be beneficial to secure a job at a local diesel shop. Even if you're only running the cash register or sweeping the shop's floor, any and all experience will be beneficial.

Go to School
You don't have to go to an actual college or university to become a diesel mechanic, but vocational training is required. Keep in mind that working on diesel engines is much different than working on gas engines, and because of this, diesel mechanic programs are not the same as regular mechanic curricula. The average diesel mechanic program tends to be about two to three years in length. Most programs also come with job placement help, which can be of the utmost value once you graduate.

Get Your Licensure
Once you graduate from your post-secondary training program, you'll then have to acquire your licensure. Most licensure programs require you to pay a fee and pass an exam. Part of the exam will likely be hands-on, while the other part will be a multiple-choice test.

Land a Job
Hopefully, the school that you complete your training at will offer a job placement program. As a result, you'll already have a job lined up once you graduate. If the school doesn't offer job placement, you'll have to search for a job yourself, but there's no need to fret. Diesel mechanics in Kentucky tend to be in high demand due to the extensive training and knowledge that they must possess, so it shouldn't be hard for you to find a job.


The Takeaway
Becoming a diesel mechanic does take quite a bit of training and requires lots of experience, but it's definitely a career field you should look into if you like working on diesel engines.