In 2023, an estimated 3.5 million truck drivers are employed in the United States alone. These drivers operate more than four million trucks, moving 10.5 billion tons of freight each year, according to statistics compiled by Warrior Logistics.
Keeping those drivers safe and the goods they transport moving are diesel technicians, who through training programs such as those offered at Southeast Community College, learn the technical aspects of keeping today's modern trucks moving.
A contest to showcase diesel techs and their skills was conducted July 11 at SCC's Crete Carrier Diesel Technology and Welding Center on the Milford campus.
“Diesel Techs don't get a lot of recognition for the hard work they do keeping the highways safe and keeping our economy moving,” said Jerry Wessel, representative of event sponsor, the Nebraska Trucking Association. “A contest like helps the diesel techs that work in the fleet and dealer shops show off their skills to the trucking industry.”
To qualify for the 16th Annual Nebraska Super Tech Contest, an online test was taken by 60 contest applicants and 18 finalists were selected to attend the competition. At the event at SCC, they were tested at 11 hand-on stations, including shop safety, air brakes, vehicle inspection and engine diagnostics.
Wessel said the high scorer at each station earned a cash prize and the overall winner will move on to a national competition. The overall winner was Alan Anderson from RDO Truck Centers in Norfolk.
There were also four students in the competition, representing diesel tech programs at SCC-Milford, Central Community College-Hastings, Metro Community College-Omaha and Northeast Community College-Norfolk. Wessel said if they place in the competition, they can earn money to apply toward purchasing tools.
