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Under the Hood: Unraveling the Diesel Technician Shortage
Under the Hood: Unraveling the Diesel Technician Shortage
Natalie Johnson
Posted 11/8/23
The magnitude of the diesel technician shortage in the United States is creating significant challenges for the transportation industry. With an estimated 80,000 job vacancies and an expected additional 28,000 openings each year until 2030, the gap between supply and demand is widening at an alarming rate. To combat this shortage, efforts are being made to encourage students to pursue a career as a diesel technician, with innovative initiatives aimed at piquing their interest.
Shops and maintenance terminals rely on skilled technicians to keep their vehicles running, the recent shortage has created extra downtime and added to the work order backlog. At the same time the demand for technicians is increasing, vehicle subsystems are becoming increasingly complex. The level of distributed electronics and sensors in vehicles is further exacerbating the shortage as a technician’s job description seems to be ever evolving.
In Fullybay’s 2022 State of the Heavy-Duty Repair Industry Report, over half of respondents in a survey identified hiring technicians as their main operational challenge, while 65% reported hiring techs is “difficult.” The pandemic led to many technicians changing careers or retiring early, with 2020 marking the first year the Department of Labor reported a decline in the number of employed diesel technicians.
Technical colleges and other programs only produce 10,000 technicians annually, a number far too short to address the fleeting workforce. Recently, some companies have turned to technology to engage the community and encourage grade school students to consider a career in diesel mechanics.
The American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council launched a mobile app aimed at engaging middle and high school students with virtual truck diagnosis and repair. Players learn the basics of diagnostics through 3 games focused on tire/wheel, brake, and engine repair. Players begin as a student technician and navigate through 15 levels of play until they become the owner of their own repair shop. “Virtual compensation” allows players to upgrade their trucks or get a new paint job. Links within the game direct students to TMC and TechForce Foundation’s websites where they can learn about career, schooling, and scholarship opportunities.
“The TMC SuperTech augmented reality game lets players progress through a career from a maintenance technician to shop owner in the trucking industry.” Photo: TMC/Image Courtesy: Heavy Duty Trucking
TechForce also launched a Mobile STEM Career Center. The traveling hands-on exhibit takes students through the professional technician career path with multiple interactive activities. Indoor and outdoor displays allow students to participate in pit stop challenges, a game to match fasteners to wrenches, explore a virtual V-8 engine, learn coding, and many other activities.
“The TechForce Mobile STEM Career Center traveling exhibit takes youngsters on a hands-on discovery tour of the professional technician career path.” Photo: TechForce Foundation; Image Courtesy HDT
The gamification of a technician’s role is a captivating way to reach younger generations through technology they use everyday. In addition to these games, it is imperative teachers and school counselors educate themselves on the alternative paths students can take upon high school graduation and the current labor shortages that must be addressed. These adults have a great amount of influence and ensuring they promote STEM careers will help attract students to some careers that don’t require a four-year degree.
Additionally, the industry must make an effort to make training courses accessible by advertising scholarships and creating rapid immersion courses. Trucking companies and educational institutions are partnering to create 6 month courses, broken down into 4 six week units. The curriculum is tailored to the needs of the industry, providing the proper education and mix of resources so technicians are ready to hit the ground running once hired. Incorporating apprenticeship programs and growth paths for current and new employees will aid in retention efforts and incentivizing technicians to continue their training to adapt to new technological advancements and complete additional certifications.
The diesel technician shortage is a pressing challenge for the transportation industry, with thousands of job vacancies and a widening gap between supply and demand. The complexities of modern vehicle subsystems, coupled with the evolving nature of a technician’s job, further exacerbate the issue. Through innovative initiatives like the American Trucking Associations’ mobile app and the TechForce Mobile STEM Career Center, students are being introduced to the exciting world of diesel mechanics. Gamifying the technician’s role has proven to be a captivating way to attract young minds to this critical field. With a concerted effort to attract a diverse workforce and adapt to technological advancements, the transportation industry is determined to navigate this shortage.
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On February 28, 2023, the United States Department of Justice filed a complaint on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) against Denka Performance Elastommer LLC. The Denka manufacturing facility is located along the Mississippi River in LaPlace, Louisiana and produces chloroprene, a chemical used in the production of neoprene.
On February 28, 2023, the United States Department of Justice filed a complaint on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) against Denka Performance Elastommer LLC. The Denka manufacturing facility is located along the Mississippi River in LaPlace, Louisiana and produces chloroprene, a chemical used in the production of neoprene.
Recent incidents such as lead found in Hershey’s chocolate products and WanaBana applesauce pouches are shining the light on lead contamination in the food and beverage industry. What are the risks that lead exposure (and other heavy metals) pose to people who consume the products – and to those in the manufacturing facilities who make the products? What can be done at a facility level to promote safety for maintenance crews?
Recent incidents such as lead found in Hershey’s chocolate products and WanaBana applesauce pouches are shining the light on lead contamination in the food and beverage industry. What are the risks that lead exposure (and other heavy metals) pose to people who consume the products – and to those in the manufacturing facilities who make the products? What can be done at a facility level to promote safety for maintenance crews?
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On March 24, 2023, a deadly explosion erupted at a chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania. The explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant occurred around 4:55 pm, flattening one building and damaging several structures nearby. As a result of the incident 7 people lost their lives, 11 were injured, and 3 families were displaced from their homes. The National Transportation and Safety Board’s (NTSB) most recent report concluded a natural gas leak may have contributed to the chocolate factory explosion.
With Valentine's Day only a week away, MW thought it would be fun to dive into what it takes to properly and safely maintain a chocolate factory. This newsletter will include tips for chocolate factory equipment maintenance and cleaning and safety tips that can be applied across manufacturing industries.
With Valentine's Day only a week away, MW thought it would be fun to dive into what it takes to properly and safely maintain a chocolate factory. This newsletter will include tips for chocolate factory equipment maintenance and cleaning and safety tips that can be applied across manufacturing industries.
The Eco Edison is a service operation vessel being constructed in Louisiana. It will be the first wind farm SOV to be compliant with the Jones Act and upon completion in 2024, will allow wind farm technicians to maintain and repair three wind farms in the Northeast that are expected to power over a million homes.
The Eco Edison is a service operation vessel being constructed in Louisiana. It will be the first wind farm SOV to be compliant with the Jones Act and upon completion in 2024, will allow wind farm technicians to maintain and repair three wind farms in the Northeast that are expected to power over a million homes.
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On February 7, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final Soot Pollution Standard to limit fine particle pollution, which includes soot (black carbon). The adjustment of the standard from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 is expected to prevent up to 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays, as well as increase money for health benefits by 2032. Facility owners will be required to provide plans of how their organizations will meet the new standard. Facilities currently in the process of construction will need to adjust.
Offshore wind farms are an integral part of the changeover to renewable energy. What are the benefits of building more offshore wind farms? What are the risks and difficulties faced in opening and operating the farms? What are best practices for reliability and maintenance in offshore wind farms? What are basic safety guidelines for personnel working on offshore wind farms?
Offshore wind farms are an integral part of the changeover to renewable energy. What are the benefits of building more offshore wind farms? What are the risks and difficulties faced in opening and operating the farms? What are best practices for reliability and maintenance in offshore wind farms? What are basic safety guidelines for personnel working on offshore wind farms?
