What are the features of Casper’s program?
Students are trained in several areas of diesel troubleshooting and repair to include engine rebuilding, fuel systems and tuning, power train and braking, hydraulics and electronics. The program offers an accelerated two-semester (9 month) certificate of completion, and a new cohort starts each fall. Also, students may choose the more traditional two-year (4 semester) associate of applied science degree which includes the requirements of the diesel certificate. As a bonus, Casper College is partnered with G E Energy’s Waukesha Natural Gas Engine Division. Successful second semester/year students may elect to add this course of study, which emphasizes natural gas engine technology.
Students are in both lecture and lab courses all day Monday through Thursday. Fridays are reserved for either working in a shop setting at school or on-the-job in the diesel industry (cooperative education). Students who choose to spend Fridays on-the-job receive both college credit and a competitive hourly wage which helps to offset their college expenses.
Casper College works very closely with area business and industry to ensure student success. The Wyoming Trucking Association and Casper College work jointly to provide update training for both new and veteran diesel technicians. Several scholarships are awarded to diesel students each year.
Points of Pride
- All hand tools are supplied for in-school use
- Engine dynamometer to test-run student built engines
- Chassis dynamometer
- New ISX Cummins Tier IV emissions training module
- Caterpillar 3408 training module (see photo)
- Instructors have both academic training and industry experience
- Spacious modern shop
- Majority of class time is hands-on learning
- Partnerships with businesses in the diesel industry thereby affording students employment (COOP) opportunities
- Wyoming Trucking Association update/training seminars
- Students work on special (real-world) projects
- Two-person teams for lab work
