In an industry where equipment constantly needs repairs, diesel mechanics are key to keeping our customers up and running. But how do we ensure there are enough men and women to fix the equipment our customers rely on? Titan Machinery's Student Service Technician Sponsorships are helping develop the next generation of diesel mechanics to fill these crucial roles in our dealerships.
Highlighting Student Service Technician Sponsorships
Providing professional, technical, and financial support, Titan Machinery's Student Service Technician Sponsorship program allows individuals to train and grow as diesel mechanics. Students pursuing a two-year Associate of Applied Science Diesel Degree at any college can become a part of this outstanding program.
Students accepted into the program receive:
- Full tuition support, paid directly to the school
- A Snap-On® toolbox and tools, valued at approximately $20,000+
- Hands-on dealership training alongside experienced diesel mechanics
- Employment while participating in the program
- A clear pathway to a full-time diesel mechanic position after graduation
Titan Machinery's Student Service Technician Sponsorship removes financial barriers while accelerating real-world skill development.
Service Technician Sponsorships Supporting Dealership Work
The students in this program learn the ins and outs of what it takes to be a full-time diesel mechanic, and they are also a huge part of our dealership teams. Many of our stores rely on program participants and graduates to help build the current and future workforce of their service departments.
Jake Scofield Service Manager from Titan Machinery - Windsor, highlights that "the program brings in younger generations and helps train them on newer equipment. It introduces them to the mechanic field with hands-on experience."
With younger generations interested in the role of a diesel mechanic, the students "benefit the store by creating technicians in the pipeline who are ready to step right into the industry," says Service Manager Seth Gieck at Titan Machinery - Scottsbluff.
Successful Titan Machinery Sponsorships Create Successful Technicians
With Student Service Technician Sponsorships across our footprint, many students have now become technicians. Titan Machinery in Windsor, CO, recently had two students become full-time diesel mechanics.
Ethan Sutton started as a student technician in 2023. As one of his first jobs, Ethan said, "I was able to complete a full rebuild of an entire front differential with the help of my mentor, Jake. After being taught the textbook way, I was able to think critically through the job and apply the teaching from the lab to the shop." Ethan also recounted some of the scarier aspects when starting out, "hooking up equipment with the EST's seemed scary at first because I didn't want to damage the machine, but it now feels comfortable. I also know now how to teach myself how to do it if it's unfamiliar."
As he continued to learn from his mentor and in his schoolwork, Ethan realized this job was real when he tested the articulation on a backhoe. While he was testing, it swung to the left, and a fitting got pinched, causing it to break and spill hydraulic fluid everywhere.
Ethan has grown from his first job and days as a student. After 2 years, he graduated from Northeastern Junior College and the Titan Machinery sponsorship program, enabling him to join the Windsor team as a full-time diesel mechanic.
Sergio Cantu, started his journey as a Student Technician in 2024. "It was pretty fun to start and finish a fuel injection test by myself," Sergio remembered from the beginning of his sponsorship, "I also put a turbo on a skid steer by myself." Sergio dove headfirst into projects, but he was intimidated by having to drive the equipment into the dirt hill at the dealership to test them. But he was made more comfortable when his mentor showed him it was safe by almost driving entirely over the hill.
"I had a hydraulic line blow on me where I had to pull the entire engine on a skid steer out," Sergio said, "I thought OMG, am I really doing this?" But as he continued to learn in the classroom and in the shop, he became trusted with doing fuel injections, PDIs, and starting to pull engines on his own. The skills he was learning were transferring to real-life jobs as a technician.
Sergio will graduate from Northeastern Junior College to work full-time as a diesel mechanic in the Windsor shop. A long way from his first days learning with hands-on tasks and realizing that this is the job he's doing now.
From EDGE To A Sponsored Student Technician
Renton Spehar from Titan Machinery in Scottsbluff, NE, wasn't sure what position he wanted to pursue for a full-time job. That's why he joined the Titan Machinery EDGE program, giving him the opportunity to explore all aspects of the dealership.
During his program, Renton knew he was interested in working in the shop, but wasn't 100% sure it was where he wanted to land for a career. "I had the opportunity to spend a month in parts and the other departments to learn more about the industry," Renton relayed. After his time in the other departments, he was sure that he wanted to join the Sponsorship program.
"[EDGE] gave him the experience in the field and helped him confirm that he wanted to pursue a sponsorship and a degree in diesel mechanics," Service Manager Seth Gieck said, "It lets them see what the environment is and helps them see if that's what they want to dedicate their future to."
After completing the EDGE program, Renton chose the Student Service Technician Sponsorship program to pursue his diesel degree. He is getting hands-on experience in the Titan Machinery Scottsbluff shop and developing skills at Southeast Community College right now.
Start Your Career as a Diesel Mechanic at Titan Machinery
Ready to take the next step toward joining the Student Service Technician Sponsorship program like Ethan, Sergio, and Renton did? Reach out to our career team to learn more about this and our other career development programs.
Contact [email protected] to start the process today.
Apply for Titan Machinery's Student Service Technician Sponsorship Program and start building a diesel career that works as hard as you do.