HDTT Graduate Spotlight: Angel Castellanos

Angel Castellanos
Angel Castellanos

Started working at I-State Truck Center while still a student

Angel Castellanos, 21, graduated from the Heavy Duty Truck Technology program at Dakota County Technical College in May 2023. When he earned his HDTT diploma from DCTC, Angel had already been working since January 2022 as a technician at I-State Truck Center in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.

“I like that my work schedule is super-flexible,” he said. “My long-range career plans include becoming a shop foreman.”

I-State Truck Center and the HDTT program have a longstanding partnership that includes hiring HDTT graduates and donating trucks to the program. In early June 2024, I-State and Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) each donated $15,000 toward the purchase of a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia conventional cab tractor for the HDTT program. DCTC provided $15,000 to cover the cost of the $45,000 vehicle, which was purchased through the DTNA Trucks for Training Program. [Learn more…]

(left to right) Ed White, HDTT faculty, Jordan Tenney, I-State Truck Center general manager, Hannah Mancha, I-State Truck Center body shop manager, Ken Klassen, HDTT faculty

Heavy Duty Truck Technology instructors, Ed White and Ken Klassen, visited I-State Truck Center in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, to inspect the donated 2019 Freightliner Cascadia.

“As Ed and I walked into shop, we were approached by several HDTT graduates working at this I-State location,” Ken reported. “Angel Castellanos was the technician completing the needed repairs and inspecting the unit. Proud moment for both Ed and myself!”

Ken added that Angel is well on his way to becoming a journeyman technician and a leader in the trucking maintenance and repair industry.

“I can’t say enough about the leadership team at I-State Truck Center and Interstate Power Systems,” Ken said. “They continue to employ, support, train, mentor, and provide solid, lifelong careers to our HDTT students/graduates. We are truly fortunate to have a partnerships like this that go full circle.”

I-State Truck Center and Interstate Power Systems Receive Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence 2024 Transportation Program Supporter of the Year Business Award

This award applauds the efforts of individuals and/or industry partners across Minnesota who have
demonstrated exemplary support, through gifts of their time, talent, or resources, of transportation-related
educational programs.

The Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence drives workforce innovation through education and industry collaboration—and provides thought leadership on workforce development in the transportation industry.

READ MORE…

More about Angel…

Originally from Farmington, Minnesota, Angel graduated from Apple Valley High School, Class of 2021. Angel’s family includes his mom, dad, and one older sister. The family dog passed away last December. Angel’s other relatives live in Mexico.

Angel plays soccer on the weekends and also enjoys working on cars. He resides in Farmington.

Three words that describe you as a college graduate:
DETERMINED. STEADY. STUDIOUS.

Angel Castellanos Q & A

Angel Castellanos

What did you like best about the Heavy Duty Truck Technology program?

I like that it is a hands-on program.

What motivated you to pursue a career as a heavy duty truck service technician?

My high school teachers motivated me to go to college. I had no idea what the Heavy Duty Truck Technology program was, but I wanted to learn about semi trucks and how much different they were from cars.

What advice would you give someone thinking about going into the heavy duty truck service technician field?

My advice to someone who wants to go into the heavy duty truck field would be to start with cheaper tools and invest later.

Three words that describe you as a heavy duty truck service technician:
HARDWORKING. PASSIONATE. RESPONSIBLE.

What is the most challenging part of your job as a heavy duty truck service technician?

Getting something that I have not done before and trying to figure out what I must take off the truck to get to the part I’m changing.

What’s your favorite brand of truck and why?

Freightliner because they are super-easy to work on.

What person has influenced your life the most and why?

My mom because she means the world to me. She encourages me to work hard and keep pushing myself to get better. Even though I’m not the best son, everything I have accomplished is because of her. She has done a lot for me to where I am right now.

Without her, I would be lost not knowing what to do or where to go. She is the best mom I could have asked for.

If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?

A flying car.

One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:

FANTASTIC

Angel Castellanos 12 Answers

  1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Soccer
  2. Place you would most like to visit: Italy
  3. Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: ATV through Mexico mountains
  4. Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Buy an AV-8B 2) Buy a house 3) Invest the rest
  5. Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Guardians of the Galaxy
  6. Time period (past or future) you would explore if you could time travel: I would go to the past
  7. One thing you most want to accomplish in your life: Get a flying license
  8. Your national bird if you were your own country: Falcon
  9. Dream occupation: Shop foreman
  10. Person you would most like to meet: Brad Pitt
  11. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Problem-solving
  12. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Climate crisis
Learn more about Heavy Duty Truck Technology at DCTC by contacting:

Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110

More about the Heavy Duty Truck Technology program…

As a student in the HDTT program at DCTC, you will learn all aspects of heavy-duty truck repair and maintenance. The program focuses on large trucks, typically class 7 and 8.

Areas of instruction include:
  • Electrical and electronic systems
  • Steering/alignment
  • Foundation brakes
  • Air brakes
  • Anti-lock brake systems

You will perform diesel engine troubleshooting as well as overhauls and tune-ups on both mechanical and electronic engines. Clutch, transmission, drive axle repair and overhaul are taught along with welding instruction, preventive maintenance and HVAC.

You will be given the opportunity to obtain a commercial drivers license (CDL) and become a state of Minnesota certified commercial vehicle inspector.

This program is accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). Programs must undergo extensive evaluation and site visits by NATEF to receive and retain program accreditation.


Bus and Truck Mechanics

Maintain or repair any type of diesel engine.

WAGE

This career pays above the statewide median of $25.22/hour.

Minnesota

Median: $30.90/hour
High: $37.65/hour

Seven-county Twin Cities metro

Median: $31.70/hour
High: $39.30/hour

OUTLOOK

In Minnesota, there are 6,360 workers employed in this medium-sized career, which is currently in very high demand and is seeing high growth compared to other careers. Growth rate is 6.4 percent, or above the statewide average.

There will be a need for about 7,083 new Bus and Truck Mechanics to meet market demand between 2020–2030. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

SOURCE: Minnesota State CAREERwise Education (June 25, 2024)