I'm not by are any means or have any experience in Diesel Mechanics but won't working on 18 wheelers be the best for going into the trade. truck engines are smaller version of 18 wheeler are they?

Plus if you went to a school for 18 wheelers engines couldn't you also work on Some construction Vehicles.

 

Hey there smokinRam, i have been threw the diesel program at wyotech right out of high school and its a great school, after i got out of it i got a job at Western States Cat in Pasco, Wahsington i loved it there, i got to work on some pretty big yelllow iron there! like D10's, huge scappers, excavators, graders. its real coool work, lots of heavy iron there and one really nice thing was that they had all of the big special tools that normal tech's didnt have. i now work at a john deere dealership in kansas now because they paid more than CAT! I had a budy there that was my age and he did the think big program and the thing he said that he didnt like was the schooling part of it, he loved the cat part of it tho. the think big program is a great deal its just long! 2 YEARS. i would still be working at CAT if they paid more just because i love the big heavy yellow iron **** hahah

 

From another perspective: CAT Think Big: 2 years that will go by REAL fast. When done, 2 year A/A degree combined with REAL world, paid for (while on work rotation), shop experience. End up with a well rounded education that WILL take you places during the course of your career that that tech school paper can only have wet dreams about. As well as being a BUNCH cheaper. If you choose not to stay in the field (as my son did) after you graduate, you will still have that A/A degree. Tech school??????
If you stay with it, you can realistically expect to gain some instant respect (still got to work for it) from your peers as well as have opportunities come your way (such as pursuing Think Bigger, yes there is such a thing) that otherwise won't happen. If one goes into this program with some humility (a big ego falls many a otherwise excellent mechanic in the long run) and an open mind, the sky WILL be the limit as to were you can take your career. Ex: one of the members of our board of directors started as a field mechanic. Went and got his degree..see were this is going?? Lets see a tech school paper provide that.

What is that tech schools real motivation? Fancy advertising budget?? Their pocket?? Think Big requires a HUGE commitment from the CAT dealer. The dealer is looking to provide high quality, well educated, mechanics for the long term. When the "crash" finally caught up to the CAT dealer I work at (13+ years), only 2 divisions escaped "unharmed": Think Big & Heavy Haul (what I do). It had been made VERY clear by the VP that Think Big was OFF LIMITS. Even though the rest of the company was under a hiring freeze at that time, ALL the graduates from that group were offered positions. (2 declined, my son being one)

Am I partial, you BET I AM. For a number of reasons. I work at a CAT dealer. It hasn't been perfect but it has afforded me a lifestyle as well as a lot of respect (that I EARNED). I have watched many mechanics come and go. Long term the ones that succeed, have some humility as well as confidence. They generally also have a good education and continue to add to it. Over the years I have also watched promotions be given to the candidate with a college degree (not a tech school paper) over actual experience (had that happen to me). I did the tech school (automotive) route 27 years ago (that kinda ages me....hush) while one of my best friends (still is) went the comm college route. Mine: 1 big expensive, no long term payback, didn't know jack once in the REAL world, job placement service. His: Watched as more doors were opened for him due to his college and is still using it (business owner now).

To show I'm not just a keyboard warrior on a rant, I'll give you all this much publicly: My name is Steve L. I have been with EMPIRE Transport 13 years, a division of EMPIRE Machinery, CAT dealer for AZ and CA Imperial Valley area. EMPIRE Transport is a "for hire" carrier with 48 state authority and we do go into Canada on occasion.

 

My nephew went through the Think Big program and finished a couple years ago. Got hired back at Empire and has a good job because of it. It is a tough program and there is college courses involved but when you are done you are a well rounded tech. If you can get into the class I would do it. Not sure how the program works completely, but I know you get paid during parts of it.

 

Think Big= 3 way "partnership", if you will, between the CAT dealer, CAT, local comm college.

8 weeks of class, approx 40 hr a week, CAT & college classes. At least at our dealership, all classes were at our training center. No, its not all just class work. This is the part you are paying for.

Then rotate to 8 weeks "PAID" internship. Dealer specific needs will determine which area you will be assigned to. Yes, you will be low man on totem pole, NO, you will not be just pushing a broom. You will be "involved". Again, this is the part you get "PAID" for. At a pretty darn good wage I might add.

Repeat process for 2 years.

If someone wants more direct info from a graduate, pm me w/ e-mail and my son said he'd gladly share his experience in it.

 

I went through Caterpillars think big program in peoria illinois, great program nothing but good things to say. Mechanics leaving this school are top notch, I grad in may and ive been working at Whayne Supply Cat since. Now as soon as I pass my CDL test i will be going into my own rental field truck.

 

Heres to my First Post guys.

As far as CAT programs, I completed my BST from Pittsburg State University (kansas) (2010) Which has a "Cat Think Bigger" program, This school pulls all sort of individuals from all over the US, during my undergrad I've seen a dozen guys come from Cali, AZ, and end up working for CAT corporate. ( on a side note Empire is huge I've seen a handfull of young empire mechanics come to PSU for additional schooling) I myself had an internship scheduled with them during the summer of 09, however they canceled it due to the economy. I'm finishing up my Masters program in May.

For Satanic Mechanic- Whayne Supply as in Kentucky right? Ever met a guy named Nick Couch? He was one of the Cat Think Bigger guys at PSU. I Believe he's in a management role for them since he got his degree back in 2010.

 

Reopening a dead post for sure but Gabel care to share a little more information about the ThinkBIGGER program? I've been trying to research it but no such luck. Thanks-

 

pm sent to shiftaced

 

I looked at wyotech, and ohiotech. Then found a community college that is 1/4 price and 2yr program. Im so glad i chose Kishwaukee College in malta il. i got friends at wyotech and uti. my buddy just dropped uti for kish and the one at wyo wishs he went to kish. look at community colleges around your area. i been there almost 1yr and have rebuilt a dt466, ford 6.0, 13 eaton rodranger, turbo350, every type of hydraulic cylinder, pump, motor, now rebuilding injectors, injection pumps, testing them and timing. still got more then a yr to go. plus 800hr internship. its a really good school. im just saying look around local first. you might be suprised.