Volvo Trucks North America  and Mack Trucks are focusing on training skilled professional vehicle service technicians through expansion of the Diesel Advanced Technology Education (DATE) program.

Beginning in early 2019, Volvo and Mack will partner with three colleges in Florida, Ohio, and Texas for the DATE program.

DATE program curriculum will be taught by dedicated OEM-certified instructors at Jones Technical Institute in Jacksonville, Florida; the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima, Ohio; and  Western Technical College in El Paso, Texas. Graduates will receive an associate’s degree in diesel mechanics and a certification from the DATE program. They will be prepared for immediate employment at any the hundreds of Mack and Volvo dealerships across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The 500-hour DATE program will train students to work on Volvo and Mack trucks, including electrical and electronic systems, software and engine diagnosis and repair, chassis components, and powertrains.

The American Transportation Research Institute reported in October 2017 that the trucking industry will require an estimated 67,000 new technicians and 75,000 new diesel engine specialists by 2022.

“Modern truck technology offers many benefits to customers, but it also requires advanced skills for maintenance and repair,” said Roy Walton, senior manager of aftermarket training for Mack Trucks. “The DATE program will help our dealer network address the severe shortage of technicians qualified to work in this highly technical field.”

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