College sophomore/new high school grad is SkillsUSA Minnesota State Champion in Diesel Technology
Caleb Simon, 18, a Heavy Construction Equipment Technology (HCET) major at Dakota County Technical College and recent Arcadia Charter School graduate took first place at in the High School Division Diesel Technology competition at the SkillsUSA Minnesota State Leadership and Skills Conference (SLSC) in early April.
The competition was held at the RDO Equipment Co. location in Dayton, Minnesota, with the awards ceremony hosted by Wayzata High School.
Caleb at SkillsUSA Minnesota SLSC
Caleb’s performance at the SLSC qualifies him to compete at the SkillsUSA Championships at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference June 23–27, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.
“The truck-related stations were the most challenging part of the Diesel Technology competition for me,” Caleb said. “The stuff we go over on the practice day is very similar to what happens in the actual competition. I’m looking forward to meeting people in the field from across the country at the SkillsUSA Championships.”
Caleb will be a sophomore at DCTC next fall; he was a Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) student his freshman year. He graduated from Arcadia June 6, 2025, and is on track to graduate from DCTC with his HCET A.A.S. degree in May 2026.
While attending DCTC, he works as a CNC machinist (lathe programmer and operator) at Valve Check Inc. He started working at Valve Check in June 2023. He plans to continue working as CNC machinist and start a new career as a heavy construction equipment mechanic after completing the college’s HCET program.
Caleb has already earned a Civil Engineering and Land Survey Technology certificate at DCTC. The 30-credit program incorporates state-of-the-art equipment and software programs in its labs. As graduate of the program, you will be working in a diverse field with excellent employment opportunities nationwide. You will be involved in all aspects of the construction process, including planning and design, project management, and inspections of roads, bridges, highways, subdivisions, and conventional energy plants as well as wind farms.
SkillsUSA at DCTC
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization for students in trade, industrial, technical, and health occupation programs at community and technical colleges. SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.
SkillsUSA offers more than 50 competitions related to DCTC programs of study or leadership development. DCTC students compete against other colleges in Minnesota. First-place winners at the state level advance to the SkillsUSA Championships and compete in their chose field against the best students in the country.
Participation in SkillsUSA is an excellent addition to any student’s resume. View SkillsUSA Brochure and Competition Listing to see a list of competitions and more details about competing.
SkillsUSA Brochure and Competition List (PDF)
LEARN MORE…
More about Caleb…
Caleb with his family, brother Wyatt, mother, Katherine, and father, Paul
Originally from New Prague, Minnesota, Caleb competes in New Prague Junior Gold Hockey and belongs to the New Prague Robotics Club (FRC). His dad, Paul, is a farmer and mechanic and definitely Caleb’s inspiration for getting into the diesel equipment and mechanic field. His mom, Katherine, works for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Food and Feed Safety Division and is a driving force in Caleb’s education and finding great opportunities for him. Caleb’ younger brother, Wyatt, 16, takes after their dad in wanting to be a farmer.
“We have a large flock of chickens,” Caleb reported, “and two mixed-breed rescue dogs, Nate and Blue. I have three pet corn snakes who are very creatively named—Snakey Snake, Baby, and Creature.”
In his free time, Caleb enjoys playing hockey and video games, working on his project car, a 1995 Camaro, participating in robotics competitions, and hanging out with friends. He resides with his family in New Prague.
Originally from New Prague, Minnesota, Caleb competes in New Prague Junior Gold Hockey and belongs to the New Prague Robotics Club (FRC). His dad, Paul Simon, is a farmer and mechanic and definitely Caleb’s inspiration for getting into the diesel equipment and mechanic field. His mom, Katherine Simon, works for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Food and Feed Safety Division and is a driving force in Caleb’s education and finding great opportunities for him. Caleb’ younger brother, Wyatt, 16, takes after their dad in wanting to be a farmer.
“We have a large flock of chickens,” Caleb reported, “and two pet dogs, Nate and Blue mixed breed rescue dosg. I have three pet corn snakes who are very creatively named—Snakey Snake, Baby, and Creature.”
Caleb life gallery
Cody Skluzacek: Faculty perspective
Cody Skluzacek
“Caleb is a unique student as he challenges my knowledge often. He isn’t afraid to ask questions or try to figure something out on his own.”
Cody Skluzacek
Heavy Construction Equipment Technology Faculty
Dakota County Technical College
Caleb Simon • Q & A
Caleb Simon
What inspired you to enroll in the Heavy Construction Equipment Technology (HCET) program at DCTC?
Definitely my dad and wanting to learn all the things he knows. I like taking things apart to see how they work and then putting them back together.
What have you enjoyed most about the HCET program so far?
The engine rebuild lab.
What is your favorite brand of construction equipment and why?
I like Caterpillar as it’s the most popular in the Midwest—and it’s the equipment brand I see the most.
Three words that described you as a PSEO student:
ADAPTABLE. COMMITTED. ENERGETIC.
What is your favorite type of heaving construction equipment, e.g., bulldozer, wheel loader, excavator, etc., and why?
Cranes are my favorite equipment. All the engineering and physics that goes into everything cranes do, exponentially at such large scales, is really cool to me. Also, the talent and precision that goes into operating them is incredible.
What about advice would you give high school students thinking about participating in PSEO?
Don’t put off your gen eds; you can take college gen eds and earn dual credit for both your high school grad credit and progress requirements for degrees. Also, college students aren’t that scary; they’re just bigger high schoolers
Three words that describe you as an HCET student:
INQUISITIVE. INDEPENDENT. ENTHUSIASTIC.
What person has influenced your life the most and why?
My mother—she motivates me to go above and beyond along with supporting me through any struggles I have.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
Universal healthcare for everyone.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
INVIGORATING
Caleb Simon • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Hockey
Place you would most like to visit: Czech Republic- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Winning the Minnesota SkillsUSA Diesel Technology competition
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Buy land and build a house 2) Pay off my parent’s house mortgage 3) Buy a bunch of project cars
- Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Omega Force Series by Joshua Dalzelle
- Time period you would explore if you could time travel: 1980s to see how electronics have shaped the world
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Start my own successful business
Your national bird if you were your own country: Crows are pretty cool- Dream occupation: Custom high-performance engine designer and builder
- Person you would most like to meet: J. Robbert Oppenheimer
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Playing guitar
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Elitism
Learn more about the Heavy Construction Equipment Technology program at DCTC by contacting:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110
More about Heavy Construction Equipment Technology at DCTC…
HCET coursework prepares you to succeed as a well-trained, mechanically minded, hardworking technician with heavy equipment dealers and contractors.
Your training will involve classroom theory, live shop demonstrations, and hands-on repair of heavy equipment currently used in industry. Making repairs on actual equipment is vital to your skill development.
Heavy equipment dealers and earth-moving contractors will be your top employers. Jobs are also available with mining and logging companies. Most technicians work in indoor shops, but experienced field service technicians travel to job sites to perform repairs.
Accreditation
The Heavy Construction Equipment program is accredited by the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AED).
Learn more about HCET at DCTC…
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines is a Bright Outlook Occupation. 
Reported job titles
- Construction Equipment Mechanic
- Equipment Mechanic
- Equipment Technician
- Field Mechanic
- Field Service Technician
- Field Technician
- Heavy Equipment Mechanic
- Heavy Equipment Technician
- Mechanic
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings. See all 4 Hot Technologies for this occupation.
WAGES
Minnesota
Workers on average earn $75,750.
10 percent of workers earn $49,770 or less.
10 percent of workers earn $94,080 or more.
United States
Workers on average earn $63,980.
10 percent of workers earn $45,450 or less.
10 percent of workers earn $92,360 or more.
2024 Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Trends: Minnesota
Employment(2022): 2,510 employees
Projected employment(2032): 2,870 employees
Projected growth(2022–2032): 14 percent
Projected annual job openings(2022–2032): 260
Occupational Trends: United States
Employment(2023): 191,100 employees
Projected employment(2033): 207,300 employees
Projected growth(2023–2033): 9 percent — Much faster than average
Projected annual job openings (2023–2033): 17,700
Visit O*NET OnLine for comprehensive information about the occupation:
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
SOURCE: O*NET OnLine: Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
