Diesel mechanic training in Alaska

3 diesel mechanic programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

2 schools offer these diesel mechanic programs, and Alaska has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Diesel mechanics inspect and repair buses and trucks and maintain diesel engines of every kind. Community colleges and technical schools offer certificates and degrees in diesel repair, employers may require or prefer certification, and some jobs need a commercial driver's license to test-drive trucks and buses.¹ Under federal rules, anyone paid to handle the refrigerant in a truck's cab air conditioning must be certified by an EPA-approved program.²

In Alaska, all 3 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 3 programs here are heavy equipment mechanic (1 program), diesel technology (associate degree, 1 program) and diesel technician certificate or diploma (1 program).

See the 3 programs

How much does diesel mechanic training cost in Alaska?

$5,619 to $18,000

from the lowest-priced program to the highest, if you pay yourself

In the typical program

Finished the program: Not enough data; 3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later: Not enough data; 3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated: Not enough data; 3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length: Not enough data; 3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Alaska may also offer diesel mechanic training. How these figures are made

Is there free diesel mechanic training in Alaska?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.³⁴⁵In program year 2024 it paid toward the training of at least 15 people at 1 of the 3 programs here.
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁶ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁵
Or pay yourself. These programs cost $5,619 to $18,000.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 3 diesel mechanic programs in Alaska approved for WIOA funding

3 programs

Heavy equipment mechanicIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technology
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center, SewardHeavy equipment mechanic · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$52,500
Price if you pay yourself$5,619
15 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technology at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
More details about Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technology at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Finished
87%
Working at 6 months
70%
Earned in a quarter
$13,120
Length
38 weeks, 30 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$14,973
Students counted
68
Earned a year, estimated
$52,500
Price if you pay yourself
$5,619
students trained with WIOA funding
15
Program website, Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technology at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Diesel technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Diesel Power Technology (AAS)
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Anchorage
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), AnchorageDiesel technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$44,500
Price if you pay yourself$18,000
School website, Diesel Power Technology (AAS) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
More details about Diesel Power Technology (AAS) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Finished
67%
Working at 6 months
83%
Earned in a quarter
$11,119
Length
60 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$4,500
Students counted
42
Earned a year, estimated
$44,500
Price if you pay yourself
$18,000
School website, Diesel Power Technology (AAS) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Diesel technician certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Diesel Power Technology (CT1)
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Anchorage
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), AnchorageDiesel technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$85,100
Price if you pay yourself$10,800
Program website, Diesel Power Technology (CT1) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
More details about Diesel Power Technology (CT1) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Finished
83%
Working at 6 months
80%
Earned in a quarter
$21,284
Length
60 weeks, 9 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$2,700
Students counted
26
Earned a year, estimated
$85,100
Price if you pay yourself
$10,800
Program website, Diesel Power Technology (CT1) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)

How to pay for diesel mechanic training in Alaska

WIOA funding can pay for diesel mechanic training in Alaska

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for diesel mechanic training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.⁷⁸

GI Bill for diesel mechanic training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁹

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Other training in Alaska

How diesel mechanic training compares with the rest of skilled trades: Trade school programs in Alaska

Where the Alaska diesel mechanic program numbers come from

Which Alaska diesel mechanic programs are on this list?

These are the diesel mechanic programs Alaska approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).¹⁰ The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Alaska offers.

How the prices and results of Alaska diesel mechanic programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about diesel mechanic training in Alaska

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