You know things are bad when finding a good diesel technician feels harder than spotting Bigfoot at a truck stop. Fleets are scrambling, repair shops are short-staffed, and let’s be honest—if this trend continues, we’ll all be fixing trucks with duct tape and divine intervention.
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) isn’t sitting back and hoping this problem solves itself. Instead, they’re launching an investigation into the vanishing act of diesel techs, and they need your help to figure out why these essential workers are disappearing like free coffee at a safety meeting.
This is not just another industry report—this is about getting real answers from real people. Whether you’re a diesel tech, a repair shop manager, or an instructor training the next generation, this is your chance to speak up, be heard, and help shape the future of trucking maintenance before we all start watching YouTube tutorials on “How to Fix a Semi with Zip Ties.”
The Diesel Tech Shortage is a Crisis in the Making
It’s no secret that trucking is the backbone of the economy—without it, the world stops moving. But here’s the kicker: no trucks move without technicians to keep them running. And right now, we don’t have enough of them.
28,100 diesel tech jobs need to be filled every year just to keep up with demand, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Diesel technician graduation rates have been falling since 2017, and in 2021, only 10,699 students completed diesel tech programs. That’s not even close to meeting industry demand.
The COVID-19 pandemic made things worse—many veteran techs retired early, and some left for other industries where they didn’t have to dodge engine grease or work late nights fixing breakdowns.
Technology is evolving fast, but many training programs aren’t keeping up. Today’s trucks come packed with autonomous tech, electric drivetrains, and advanced diagnostics, yet some schools are still using textbooks from the ‘90s like nothing has changed.
The result? Fleets are desperate, repair shops are short-staffed, and trucks are sitting idle—costing companies millions in downtime.
So what’s the solution? ATRI wants real answers from the people who live and breathe this problem every day.
ATRI’s Three-Part Diesel Technician Survey: Who They Want to Hear From
ATRI isn’t playing the guessing game. They’re going straight to the source with three surveys that target the key players in this crisis:
Diesel Technicians – What’s the Real Deal?
If you’re a diesel tech, you’re the backbone of this industry—and ATRI wants to know:
Why did you get into this career?
What keeps you in the industry (or makes you want to leave)?
What could shops do to keep more skilled techs around?
Your answers are confidential, so you can be brutally honest—your boss won’t see it.
Diesel Repair Shops – You Know the Hiring Struggle is Real
If you manage or run a repair shop, you know how painful it is to hire and keep skilled techs. ATRI wants to know:
What’s working (and what’s not) when it comes to hiring techs?
Are you losing trained techs to competitors offering better pay and perks?
What kind of investments are you making in training, and is it paying off?
Diesel Technician Schools – Are We Training Enough Techs?
If you’re responsible for teaching the next generation, ATRI wants to understand:
Is your curriculum keeping up with today’s trucking technology?
Are students actually job-ready when they graduate?
How well are schools and fleets working together?
This is bigger than just collecting data—this is about finding real solutions before this problem gets even worse.
Industry Experts Sound the Alarm
It’s not just ATRI raising the red flag—industry leaders know this shortage is a major problem.
Randy Obermeyer, VP of Safety and Maintenance at Online Transport, put it bluntly:
“I understand the complexities of hiring and retaining quality technicians all too well, and it’s an even more risky investment to train a less-qualified technician who might use their new skills as leverage elsewhere. All of these factors place an immense financial burden on the industry as a whole and our customers.”
Patrick Gaskins, Senior VP at Corcentric Fleet Solutions, says fleets need to partner with STEM and trade schools to attract new talent before students get lured into different industries.
Jennifer Maher, CEO of the TechForce Foundation, stresses that mentorship programs, competitive pay, and real-world training are crucial to rebuilding the diesel tech pipeline.
So, what’s the game plan? Industry experts recommend:
Better pay and benefits – Techs follow the money. Simple as that.
Recruiting earlier – Get high school students interested before they head to college.
Modernized training – Because let’s be real, diesel engines are changing FAST.
More partnerships between fleets and schools – It’s time to bridge the gap between training and real-world jobs.
How You Can Help (Before Things Get Even Worse)
If you’re frustrated by the lack of skilled diesel techs, this is your chance to do something about it.
The survey closes Friday, March 7, so don’t put this off like that oil change you’ve been avoiding.
Click here to take the survey now!
This isn’t just another industry study that’ll collect dust on someone’s desk. This is real research with real solutions—but only if the people who actually work in this field speak up.
If you’re a tech, a fleet manager, or an instructor—ATRI wants your insights. The future of trucking maintenance depends on it.
Because let’s face it—nobody wants to live in a world where trucks are sitting broken for weeks because there’s nobody left to fix them.
Sources:
Fleet Owner: Diesel Technician Shortage Analysis
Trucking Info: Diesel Technician Employment Report