Road Building Equipment Service Technician (R-Best)
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The Road Building Equipment Service Technician (R-BEST) program is designed to produce multi-skilled service technicians who have the ability to work on and service heavy construction equipment used in the road building industry. A class of eight to ten students will be selected through a competitive application process each year for enrollment in the fall semester. Applicants who are admitted will have an industry sponsor who will serve as a mentor throughout the program, during the three academic semesters and the two internship semesters.
Employment Stats
- Program Length 5 Semesters (Diploma)
- Average Earnings $43,820/yr
About Program
During the course of the R-BEST program, which is five semesters (2,190 clock hours) in length, students will receive three semesters of training at Chattanooga State and two semesters as a paid intern at a road building equipment dealership. Classes at Chattanooga State meet five days a week which allows students significant hands-on learning opportunities. The two internship semesters will enable students to directly apply theories and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory to work in an industrial setting.
The R-BEST curriculum will focus on specific skills found in the Industrial Maintenance Technician and Diesel Technician programs at the college. Topics will include pumps, drives, valves, hydraulics and pneumatics from the Industrial Maintenance program and electrical/electronics, preventative maintenance and hydraulics from the Diesel program. The combination of rigorous academic training, hands-on lab activities, and the internships will produce highly-trained technicians who have the ability to work on all aspects of modern road building equipment.
General Program Information
- Students will be selected during January-February of each calendar year through a competitive admissions process. (See application package.)
- No previous college classes are required
- Daytime class (Monday thru Friday 7:45 am to 2:45 pm)
- The cost is affordable, and in many cases the dealer sponsorship will cover the majority of tuition and fees
- There are two paid internship semesters at a road building equipment dealership
- Financial Aid is available – state grants for Tennessee residents (Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant, TN Promise and TN Reconnect) as well as federal financial aid (PELL Grant and Student Loans)
- Possible job placement upon successful completion of the program
R-BEST Applicants Must:
- have a high school diploma or GED/HiSET
- be at the college level in reading and mathematics as demonstrated by a 17 on the ACT test in each area (SAT score of 420 in math and reading) or have earned a grade of “C” or better in a college level math class and a class that requires reading (English, history, psychology, etc.)
- pass a drug test and a background check
- be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations
- be able to clearly distinguish colors (required for electrical components)
- interview with the selection committee
- commit to completing the five-semester program
- Download application packet
Job Expectations
R-BEST technicians are expected to have a thorough knowledge of the equipment's various systems and must be able to accurately troubleshoot and diagnose the equipment and make repairs in a timely matter. Excellent customer communication skills are critical as well. Employment projections show an increased demand (9%) for the next 8 – 10 years.
Expected Earnings
According to data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay in 2019 was $51,590 per year ($24.80 per hour) for trained technicians.
Course Schedule
During the course of the program, which is five semesters (2,190 clock hours), students will receive three semesters of training at Chattanooga State and two semesters as a paid intern at a road building equipment dealership. Classes at Chattanooga State meet five days a week which allows students significant hands-on learning opportunities. The two internship semesters will enable students to directly apply theories and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory to work in an industrial setting.
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Full-Time Program Schedule (2,190 clock hours) |
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Semester |
Day Class |
Days |
Location |
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Fall (450 clock hours) |
7:45 – 2:30 |
Monday-Friday |
TCAT Chattanooga |
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Spring (450 clock hours) |
7:45 – 2:30 |
Standard Business Hours (TBD) |
R-BEST Facility |
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Summer (390 clock hours) |
7:45 – 2:30 |
Monday-Friday |
TCAT Chattanooga |
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Fall (450 clock hours) |
7:45 – 2:30 |
Standard Business Hours (TBD) |
R-BEST Facility |
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Spring (450 clock hours) |
7:45 – 2:30 |
Monday-Friday |
TCAT Chattanooga |
Tools
Tools: (List will be provided to selected individuals)
Cost
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5 SEMESTERS – 2,190 CLOCK HOURS - * Tuition will increase every fall semester |
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*Fall 450 hours |
$1,383 |
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Spring 450 |
Paid on-the-job-training semester |
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Summer 390 hours |
$1,383 |
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* Fall 450 |
Paid on-the-job-training semester |
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Summer 450 hours |
$1,383 |
Special Fees Charged in Addition to Maintenance and Tuition
- Credit by Examination Fee - The regular course fee is charged for each special examination and must be paid prior to taking the examination. Non-refundable. (See Academic Regulations.)
- Credit for Life Experience Fees - Assessment Fee for Experiential Learning $45.00. Experiential Learning Credit $15.00 per credit hour in excess of 3.0 credit hours. $90.00 maximum.
- High School Equivalency Test (Hi-SET) - $75
- Placement Test Fees - ACT - $45.00. (Refer to Admissions Policy.)
TCAT Special Fees
Charged in Addition to Maintenance and Tuition
- Credit by Examination Fee - The regular course fee is charged for each special examination and must be paid prior to taking the examination. Non-refundable. (See Academic Regulations.)
- Credit for Life Experience Fees - Assessment Fee for Experiential Learning $45.00. Experiential Learning Credit $15.00 per credit hour in excess of 3.0 credit hours. $90.00 maximum.
- High School Equivalency Test (Hi-SET) - $75
- Placement Test Fees - ACT - $45.00. (Refer to Admissions Policy.)
Curriculum
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Fall Term– Industrial Maintenance Program
Topics: Core Curriculum: Introductory Craft Skills, basic safety, mathematics (lab), introduction to hand tools, introduction to power tools, introduction to drawings, basic riggings, basic communication skills, basic employability skills, and introduction to materials handling. Level One: Orientation to the trade, tools of trade, fasteners and anchors, oxyfuel cutting, gaskets and packing, craft-related math, construction drawings, pumps and drivers, valves, intro to test instruments, material handling and rigging, mobile and support equipment, and lubrication. -
Spring Term – On-the-job training at an R-BEST Facility
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Summer Term - Industrial Maintenance Program
Topics: Level Three: layout and installation of tubing and piping systems, machine bending of conduit, hydraulic controls, pneumatic controls and motor operated valves, programmable logic controls, precision measuring tools, installing bearings, installing coupling, setting base plates and pre-alignment, conventional alignment, installing belt and chain drives, and installing mechanical seals. -
Fall Term - On-the-job training at an R-BEST Facility
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Spring Term – Diesel Mechanics Program
Topics: Electrical/Electronics: fundamentals of electricity including charging and starting systems, lighting, wiring and warning systems. Voltage, current, amperes, resistance, Ohm’s Law, series, parallel series, solenoids, relays, switches, circuit protection, sensors and interpreting wiring diagrams. Perform diagnostic and repair of electrical problems using wiring schematics and test equipment.