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student working underhood on diesel truck

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Medium/Heavy-Duty Truck Technology, Stationary Power Generation

In this curriculum, you will learn to troubleshoot, diagnose and repair all of the systems on a modern on-highway and off-highway, diesel powered truck or heavy equipment. This program combines classroom studies with practical, hands-on training in a lab setting working on trainers, simulators and a variety of vehicles and equipment.

Our two-year manufacturer sponsored program, will prepare you for a career as a diesel technician by training you in the fundamentals of medium and heavy vehicle systems operations and repair. No prior repair experience is necessary to enter the program. Our instructors will train you from the fundamentals of vehicle repair to the most advanced vehicle diagnostic procedures. For persons already working in the field, this evening program allows you to upgrade your skills and advance your career as a diesel truck or equipment technician.

Courses provide a broad-based and thorough education in the basics of heavy truck and equipment diagnostics, maintenance and repair, and will cover such topics as:

  • engines/computer controls
  • fuel/after-treatment systems
  • automatic/manual transmissions
  • axles/final drives
  • air/hydraulic brakes
  • electrical/electronic systems
  • suspension/chassis systems

Our heavy-truck and bus master certified instructors will teach you how to use advanced diagnostic tools, like:

  • CAT ET
  • Cummins Insight
  • Allison DOC
  • DTNA DiagnosicLink
  • Snap-on Prolink IQ (Snap-on certification available)

On-site Power Generation – Diesel Powered Generator Program

Our program also offers California's first community college program for on-site diesel-powered generator repair. The power generation program will train you to maintain on-site generators. Course topics include:

  • industrial diesel/gasoline/CNG engine service and repair
  • 120/240/480 single and three phase generator repair
  • load testing procedures for generators
  • fundamentals of kW, kVA and kVAR power output
  • generator switch gear and controls

laptop at service point station for diagnostic of trucks 

Working with Industry Partners

Our program has collaborated with local industry partners to provide internship and employment opportunities. These local companies include:

Program Partners and Sponsorships

BPS Truck Parts, Inc. +-

​Official parts supplier for the program, BPS Truck Parts Co. offers currently enrolled MTRK students special discounts on truck part purchases.

Visit the BPS Truck PartsCo. website.

​BPS Truck Parts Co. logo

Daimler Trucks of North America "Get Ahead" Sponsorship+-

Daimler Trucks of North America

With the "Get Ahead" program sponsorship of Daimler Trucks of North America (DTNA), through Velocity Truck Centers, our program provides the latest in manufacturer training from Freightliner, Detroit Diesel, Allison Transmission, Eaton Transmissions and Western Star. Our program will prepare you for employment as an entry level technician at a Velocity Truck, Freightliner or similar heavy truck dealership.

Click here for more information on DTNA Get Ahead sponsorship and training.

Get Ahead logo 

RDO Equipment Co. "Access Your Future" Internship Program+-

RDO Equipment Co.

Our students are interviewed and selected to work as interns at RDO Equipment Co. while completing their education at Citrus College. RDO looks for first year students interested in working on John Deere and Vermeer Equipment. The student must be in good standing with the MTRK program.

For more about this career opportunity, visit the RDO Equipment Co. "Access Your Future Internship Programs" website.

​RDO Equipment Co. logo

Quinn Company, Quinn Caterpillar+-

Quinn Company, Quinn Caterpillar

Our program works closely with industry partners to provide job opportunities at companies such as Quinn Caterpillar. Since 2016, our program has been participating in an internship program with Quinn Caterpillar which has provided careers to many of our students and are always looking to place more.

Quinn Caterpillar logo 

Velocity Truck Center's Heavy Truck Donation

Citrus College Diesel Program and Velocity Truck Centers Partner to Prepare Future Technicians+-

[article written by Mariano Rubio, 2019 L.A. County Industrial and Technology Education College Teacher of the Year, and auto, medium/heavy truck and power generator instructor at Citrus College; published on LinkedIn on April 30, 2021]

Freightline truck parked in front of the diesel technology building 

In late April 2021, the Citrus College Medium and Heavy-Duty Truck (MTRK) program received a donated CNG-powered Freightliner Cascadia 113" Sleeper Cab from Velocity Truck Centers and Daimler Trucks of North America. On hand to receive the donation were instructors, Mariano Rubio and Bryce Neighbors, program lab technician, Allan Weaver, and dean of CTE, Michael Wangler.

attendees standing outside the diesel technology building 

Accompanying the truck were the Velocity Truck Centers' Jason Shearer, vice president of service operations; Deborah Cegielski, vice president of human resources; and technical support manager, Manny Barba. It was a special homecoming for Jason Shearer who graduated from the Citrus College MTRK program in 2001. He worked as a technician and, eventually, moved up to the position of vice president in the company. Jason is truly one of Citrus College's success stories.

another view of truck in front of the diesel technology building 

As instructors for the program, there's no better feeling than partnering with a company that provides careers to hard working students wanting to get into the field. The Citrus College truck program faculty are excited to work with the great people from Velocity Trucks. Working together, the need for qualified heavy truck technicians will be met one student at a time!

View the event on Velocity Truck Center's Instagram.

two people standing at a new power generator in the diesel tech building 

two people standing at another piece of large mechanical equipment in the diesel tech building 

interior view of the diesel technology shop 

Your Future Lies Ahead!

Certificates and Degrees Offered+-
Employment Prospects+-

There is a constant demand for certified men and women in this field due to the high number of diesel powered on-highway and off-highway vehicles, heavy equipment, marine engines and on-site power generators. Median wage for a diesel technician is $50,200 per year. Average hourly wage is $24.13 per hour.*

Cooperative programs and sponsorships with major diesel and automotive companies support the program and ensure that the latest technologies are being taught to students. Citrus College Medium and Heavy-Duty Truck program graduates have a 90% placement rate.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics (September 8, 2021): https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/diesel-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm

Estimated Program Cost

  • Associate of Science Degree in Medium and Heavy-Duty Truck Technology: $4,678
  • Diesel Engine Service, Diagnosis and Repair Technician Certificate: $2,898
  • Medium and Heavy-Duty Truck Service, Diagnosis and Repair Master Technician Certificate: $1,150 (student must complete diesel engine service certificate first)
  • Stationary Power Generation Service, Diagnosis and Repair Technician Certificate: $960 (student must complete diesel engine service certificate first)

Contact Us

Introductory courses to enter the program are offered year-round.

For questions, please contact our award winning medium and heavy-duty truck and power generation instructors:

Mariano Rubio at mrubio@citruscollege.edu or office phone (626) 857-4037

Bryce Neighbors at bneighbors@citruscollege.edu or office phone (626) 914-8507

Follow us on Instagram @citrus_college_diesel

​BPS Truck Parts Inc logo

​RDO Equipment logo

Generator Services logo

​Performance KKW logo

​Velocity Pergormance Group logo

​Daimler Get Ahead logo

​Quinn Catepillar logo
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Medium/Heavy-Duty Truck Technology, Stationary Power Generation