GET STARTED
BE A DONOR
SCHOLAR PORTAL

Diesel technician

What is it?

As a diesel tech, you can expect a physically demanding and technically challenging job that often involves working in dirty and sometimes hazardous environments.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

Physical Demands:

  • Heavy Lifting: Diesel techs often need to lift and move heavy parts and equipment.
  • Standing for Long Periods: The job typically involves standing for extended periods, often on concrete floors.
  • Exposure to Elements: Diesel techs may work outdoors, exposed to various weather conditions.

Technical Skills:

  • Mechanical Knowledge: A strong understanding of diesel engines and their components is essential.
  • Diagnostic Skills: Diesel techs must be able to diagnose problems with engines and determine the necessary repairs.
  • Repair and Maintenance Skills: They should be skilled at performing repairs and maintenance tasks, such as replacing parts, adjusting settings, and troubleshooting issues.

Work Environment:

  • Dirty and Greasy: Diesel techs often work in dirty and greasy environments, covered in oil and grease.
  • Loud Noise: The job can be noisy, especially when working on running engines or using power tools.
  • Hazardous Materials: Diesel techs may be exposed to hazardous materials, such as engine fluids and chemicals.

Rewards:

  • Job Satisfaction: Many diesel techs find their work to be rewarding, especially when they successfully diagnose and repair complex problems.
  • Career Advancement: With experience and training, diesel techs can advance to supervisory roles or specialize in specific areas of diesel mechanics.
  • Competitive Pay: Diesel techs typically earn competitive wages, especially in high-demand industries.

Overall, working as a diesel tech can be physically demanding and challenging, but it can also be rewarding for those with a passion for mechanics and a willingness to work in a demanding environment.

GET STARTED

Length of Training

13 weeks

Type of Training

In Person

* Salary Range

(entry level – experienced)

$41,520 - $76,840

* Regional Jobs Available

1,926

(3 year forecast)

A man in a brown jacket reads documents next to a truck, examining paperwork.

Is it Right For You?

Here are some qualities that would make someone a good diesel tech:

Technical Skills:

  • Mechanical Aptitude: A strong understanding of mechanical principles is essential for diagnosing and repairing diesel engines.
  • Diagnostic Skills: The ability to identify and diagnose problems with diesel engines is crucial.
  • Repair and Maintenance Skills: A diesel tech should be skilled at performing repairs and maintenance tasks, such as replacing parts, adjusting settings, and troubleshooting issues.

Personality Traits:

  • Problem-Solving Skills: Diesel techs often encounter complex problems, so strong problem-solving skills are necessary.
  • Patience: The job can be time-consuming and require patience, especially when diagnosing and troubleshooting issues.
  • Attention to Detail: Diesel techs must pay close attention to detail to ensure that repairs are done correctly and thoroughly.
  • Adaptability: The field of diesel mechanics is constantly evolving, so adaptability is important for staying up-to-date with new technologies and techniques.

Physical Attributes:

  • Strength and Endurance: Diesel techs often need to lift and move heavy parts and equipment.
  • Manual Dexterity: Good manual dexterity is essential for working with small parts and tools.

Additional Considerations:

  • Education and Training: While not always required, formal education or training in diesel mechanics can be beneficial.
  • Certifications: Some certifications, such as ASE certifications, can demonstrate expertise and increase job prospects.
  • Work Ethic: A strong work ethic, including punctuality, reliability, and a willingness to learn, is essential for success in this field.

Overall, a good diesel tech is someone who combines technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a strong work ethic. They should be patient, detail-oriented, and adaptable to the challenges of the job.

GET STARTED
A group of graduates in caps and gowns celebrating outdoors. Text on the image reads "Over $12 million in scholarships being awarded." These scholarships are paving the way for promising careers.
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Stephanie underwood - Chief financial Officer

Stephanie Underwood serves as Chief Financial Officer at Great Jobs KC, where she leads the organization’s financial strategy in support of its mission to create economic mobility through education and workforce opportunities. With more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit finance, Stephanie brings deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. She is passionate about using her career as a platform to serve and support mission-driven organizations, helping them maximize impact through strong financial stewardship.

Prior to joining Great Jobs KC, Stephanie served as Chief Financial Officer for Griffith Centers, a behavioral and mental health organization, where she oversaw financial operations for a multi-million-dollar organization spanning residential, educational, and community-based programs. She also spent nearly a decade as Vice President of Accounting Services at NFP Partners, providing CFO-level leadership to nonprofit organizations across the country, with a focus on strategic growth, audit readiness, and governance.

Outside of her professional role, Stephanie volunteers her time at her church and serves on the board of a local nonprofit. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to aligning financial strategy with mission impact. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and is proud to be a first-generation college graduate.

 

 

 

Adult Learner College Scholarship

The Adult Learner Scholarship application is closed. Please click GET STARTED to be added to communication reminders on when to apply during the next open cycle.

Program offers:

  • Up to $25,000 paid directly to the college over the course of up to six years.
  • Once awarded, the Scholar can enroll full or part-time the fall semester following awarding.
  • Scholarship can be used at any of our college partners. See our current list of partners HERE.
  • Scholarship can be used towards an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or a credit-bearing credential. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Be a high school graduate or GED holder (24 years or older).
  • Live in one of the six eligible counties. (Kansas: Wyandotte, Johnson; Missouri: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte)
  • Be income eligible. (FASFA Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less)
  • Have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Have not previously been awarded a KC Scholars Scholarship (Traditional or Adult Learner).
  • Is not currently enrolled in a Great Jobs KC Skills Training Program.
  • US Citizenship/Residency is not required to apply.

If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE

GET STARTED

Jimmy Swift - Chief Operating Officer

As the Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Swift is responsible for overseeing our core programs, our adult workforce development program, Great Jobs KC tuition-free job training, and our KC Scholars Scholarship Program, which includes 11th Grade Traditional Scholarships and Adult Learner Scholarships. 

Jimmy has a career in education that spans more than 25 years and is built around supporting and improving the performance of career training programs and leading the operations of degree-granting institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and has served as Campus President, Vice President of Career Services, and Executive Director of various career schools.  

Most recently, Jimmy served as the Vice President of PLA University at Phalen Leadership Academies, bringing access to job skill training to the parents and families of the Scholars served by Phalen Leadership schools across the country.  Beyond his higher education experience, Jimmy serves as the Executive Board Chairman for Project Safety Net NY, a nonprofit community-based agency delivering a broad range of health, education, and prevention services to the New York Community. As the Chief Operating Officer for Great Jobs KC, he and his team are poised to make a substantial impact on the economic stability and future of Kansas City.

Great Jobs KC
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.