Contact Information
General Contact
- School Code: 530600
- Phone: (206) 368-0210
- School Homepage
Admissions Office
Financial Aid Office
FINANCIAL AID RATE
59%STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
21:1DEGREE OFFERED ONLINE
10FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.
$6,942Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students
Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid
Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition
College Video
School Map
Diesel Mechanic Program
The diesel mechanic program at Bates Technical College prepares students for careers in heavy equipment maintenance, locomotive maintenance, over-the-road truck maintenance, fleet maintenance, dealership service, and aftermarket parts development. The program focuses on applying technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain diesel engines in vehicles, as well as stationary diesel engines in electrical generators and related equipment. Program courses include: engine maintenance systems, engines, power trains, and fluid, power, and electrical systems. Get more details below including other Washington colleges that offer diesel mechanic program.
Learn more by requesting information now!

Bates Technical College
6007- A 244th Street SW, Mountlake Terrace, WA
About
Bates Technical College, located in Tacoma, Washington, began operation in 1940 as a vocational school operating out of the Hawthorne Elementary School basement. The school expanded quickly, becoming a Tacoma Vocation-Technical Institute in 1947, under the direction of Vern Bates, who retired in 1969. To honor Mr. Bates, the school was renamed L.H. Bates Vocational Technical Institute.
By 1991 the school was merged into the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, where eventually the name was once again changed to its current. The school has expanded its offerings and is dedicated to providing the best education possible for its service area.
Academics
Bates Technical College's primary offerings are for career and technical training to assist individuals in entering the workforce. These programs utilize simulated real world settings to impart the skills and abilities necessary for employment in one's chosen field, with such fields typically being in high demand, particularly among businesses in the BTC's service area. T
hese programs take between one and two years to complete, resulting in a certificate or associate's degree that demonstrates competency and dedication.
Some programs offer transferable credits that may be used in the pursuit of higher levels of education. This is done by completing the equivalent of the first two years of a four year education, followed by applying for transfer to a four year institution to continue that education and earn a bachelor's degree.
Transfer to a public Washington college or university will be easier through transfer agreements that guarantee acceptance if certain requirements are met. Transfer to private or out of state schools will be more difficult due to more stringent admissions policies for transfer students. As a technical college, earned credits may not be transferable by out of state school's or private schools, and as a result should be discussed with a counselor.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Bates Technical College is an open enrollment institution that admits any individuals that meet the minimum criteria for admission, submit a completed application and pay accrued fees. Students are also asked to provide previous transcripts and standardized test scores, and may be asked to take a placement exam prior to registration.
The school also encourages meeting with a counselor to discuss goals and program enrollment. Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which is used by the school's financial aid department to determine the student's need and aid program eligibility prior to forming a financial aid packet.
Financial aid must be reapplied for prior to each academic year. Students may be chosen at random to provide additional information to be compared to the FAFSA in order to verify its accuracy as part of new federal regulations governing the disbursement of aid funds.
Students Enrolled in the Diesel Mechanic Program
Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Bates Technical College has offered the following program levels for students:
- Less Than One Year Certificate
- Less Than Two-Year Award
- Associate's Degree
- Less Than Four-Year Award
Students by Academic Level (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Less Than One Year Certificate | 108 |
Less Than Two-Year Award | 28 |
Associate's Degree | 32 |
Less Than Four-Year Award | 8 |
Students by Gender (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Male | 162 |
Female | 14 |
Students by Race (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
American Indian | 4 |
Asian | 3 |
Black | 5 |
Hispanic | 22 |
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders | 2 |
White | 97 |
Multiple Races | 12 |
Unknown | 31 |
Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.
Career Options for Graduates
Students who have completed the Diesel Mechanic program at Bates Technical College, have entered into some of these more popular career paths listed below:Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Description
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 12.0% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 2
- Average Hourly Rate: $28.68
- Average Annual Salary: $59660
- Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 660
- Average Hourly Rate: $24.13
- Average Annual Salary: $50200
Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Admission Requirements & Details
The admission details below may give an overview of the students Bates Technical College accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and alumni, Bates Technical College may offer services to students including:- Online classes
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Career path counseling
- Work study style employment
- Assistance to find work
- Day care