Ranken Technical College to Offer New Diesel Technology Program in Edwardsville

Mar 9, 2026 9:24 AM Mar 9, 2026 9:58 AM

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EDWARDSVILLE - Local students have the opportunity to advance their technical skills as Ranken Technical College offers a new satellite program in Edwardsville.

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Students can now complete Ranken’s 16-month Diesel Technology program at the local Schneider facility in Edwardsville. From 4–6 p.m. on March 31, 2026, prospective students and their families are invited to an open house at Schneider to tour the facility, meet instructors and get a feel for how the program will operate.

“It’s just exciting to see where we’re going to go with this,” said Shannon Brueggemann, Ranken’s Vice President for Education. “We’re hoping to attract those students that really do want to get a job in the diesel field. If they want to come to a school where they’re doing it, they're doing it in that environment there.”

Brueggemann explained that this is Ranken’s first program in Illinois. Several Illinois employers have encouraged the school to pursue programs on this side of the river, and they are excited to take this first step.

The college was seeking a facility where they could train students in diesel technology. Schneider, located at 141 Enterprise Drive in Edwardsville, offered their space. Ranken is excited to collaborate with Schneider.

“Schneider is the one who stepped up,” Brueggemann said. “They are a great company to work with. They bring this professionalism into that diesel maintenance facility that is top-notch.”

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Through the partnership with Schneider and Ranken, students will receive hands-on learning opportunities and work in a live shop. Students begin work on an “educational truck” before moving to a “live truck” and working under a mentor. These “real” experiences take students out of a classroom and into the work environment.

Brueggemann noted that it’s rare to get such realistic educational experiences, but this is what Ranken prides itself on. They want their students to experience what it’s actually like to work in the field. They believe this makes for graduates who are prepared to enter the workforce.

“If you’re in school, you can get by with B and C work,” she explained. “But you can't do that out there in the industry. You’re constantly striving for A+ work because it could be very detrimental. You can’t do C work on a truck and let it go down the road next to your family. It cannot fail. It needs to be A+ work at all times. It really makes that really good graduate.”

The Ranken program in Edwardsville is enrolling for Fall 2026, with the first day planned for Monday, Aug. 24. There will be daytime classes five days a week, with the goal to eventually offer evening classes as well.

The Edwardsville-based program will align with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Medium-Heavy Duty Truck Standards. Students can earn either a certificate or an associate’s degree in Diesel Technology, then take the Heavy-Duty Truck ASE tests and begin their careers.

The demand for diesel technicians is expected to grow, so Brueggemann believes this is a great opportunity for Illinois students. She hopes many people come out to the open house on March 31 to learn more about it.

“A student coming in as a prospective student, walking in to see that environment, they usually sign on the dotted line real quick because they love to see what they’re doing. It's so real,” she added. “If they want to get to that school where they get this comprehensive education that will allow them to be that top-notch diesel technician in the field and give them the skills for advancement, [this is it].”

To learn more about the open house on March 31, email marketing@ranken.edu. Closed-toed shoes and long pants are required for attendees. For more information about Ranken Technical College and their programs, visit their official website.

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