Tulsa Tech Graduate Driven to Succeed

It has been a year unlike any other for Rian Page. Not only did he and the rest of us navigate the start of a pandemic, but he also started his path to a new career. Page and others walked in the newly-minted Light Diesel Truck Service Technician program last January. Less than a year later, he and other students are stepping into the workforce, ready to seize this new opportunity.

"What the program provides is amazing," Page said with a smile. "This Light Diesel Truck Service Technician program opened all kinds of doors."

To say Page was driven to succeed would be an understatement. This father drove an hour each way to get to class at the Broken Arrow Campus. The campus is a hub for all of Tulsa Tech's automotive programs, and gathering of students with the same interests made the experience unique.

"It was cool to see the class interaction between all of the students," Page said. "Not only did our class have some really cool experiences, but we also got a new Ford F-150 diesel truck to work on in the program."

Before coming to Tulsa Tech, Page worked as a laborer for a construction company, but the chance to be closer to home was too much to pass up.

"The opportunities this program opened up for me were incredible," Page said. "Finishing in months and not years made it possible for me to make the switch. Now I get to cash in by being closer to home each day."

The program teaches students how to diagnose and repair problems with light and medium-duty diesel engines. These vehicles include the popular one-ton trucks you see on Tulsa roads every day. Students will also be able to earn their Class B driver's license.

"The Class B Commercial Drivers License (CDL) is a big part of how I got my job," Page said. "It put me in the position of driving an oiler truck, and I have the service technician certifications, so I will be able to work on different machinery."

A recent report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows students with these skills can start out earning near $40,000 a year. With the growing popularity of diesel engines, the sky is the limit. The bureau also predicts the number of diesel service technicians will grow by nearly 10,000 over the next decade.

 The chance to grow his skill set was a major driving force for Page and his classmates in Instructor Michael Girton's program.

"Getting my CDL has opened so many doors," Page said with a grin. "The skills you learn at Tulsa Tech opens a lot of opportunities in the workforce. I would recommend the Light Diesel Truck Service Technician program to anyone looking to make a move to a new career."