Take your mechanical ability and put it with your interest in all types of machinery, engines, electronics and precision testing equipment, and you could have what it takes for a career as a Heavy Equipment Technician!
What do I do?
Heavy Equipment Technicians maintain, repair and overhaul mobile heavy equipment like highway transport vehicles, construction and earth-moving equipment, tractors and mobile industrial equipment.
If you are employed by an organization that maintains its own fleet of heavy-duty equipment, you would follow a regular checklist of inspections for preventive maintenance and make any necessary repairs. In a large or specialized shop, you may specialize in engine overhaul, power shift transmissions, fuel pumps and injectors, hydraulic controls, electrical and electronic equipment, air conditioning or track equipment.
The working environment for Heavy Equipment Technicians varies considerably from one job to another. Some work in modern laboratories overhauling fuel injection pumps and delivery systems. Others work outdoors in the oil/gas, forestry and marine industries.
How do I advance?
The future looks bright for Heavy Equipment Technicians in Alberta. There are many busy firms that own or lease heavy equipment used in the construction, mining, forestry, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, agriculture and transportation industries.
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As an experienced Heavy Equipment Technician, you can advance to shop supervisor or service manager positions.
With additional training, you can transfer your skills and knowledge to positions in sales or purchasing, planning or maintenance, or related jobs like Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Agricultural Mechanic, Millwright or Automotive Service Technician.
How much do I make?
Apprentice Heavy Equipment Technicians earn at least 60% of the journeyman wage in the first year of their apprenticeship, 70% in the second, 80% in the third, and 90% in the fourth year. Journeyman wage rates vary, but generally range from $19.63 an hour to as high as $26.86 an hour, gross wage (figures taken from 1999/2000 wage surveys by Merit Contractors and Construction Labour Relations- Alberta). In addition to the basic hourly rate employers provide holiday and vacation pay. Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits. In total, the value of the benefits can range from 20% to 30% over and above the basic hourly pay rate.
Travel requirements and hours of work vary.
Where do I go from here?
If you become a skilled Heavy Equipment Technician, youÕll have the ability to get well-paying work. You can also upgrade your skills to become eligible for higher level positions.
As with most careers in the construction industry, your skills in this occupation are portable so if you are interested in relocating you can take your skills with you!
How do I learn?
You can get a jump start on your future career in construction trades by checking out the Career and Technology Studies - Construction Technology courses offered at high schools. These hands-on courses are designed to help you build the basic skills you will use in the construction industry. For example, you might investigate Basic Tools and Materials CON1010, Engine Fundamentals MEC1040 or Oxyacetylene Welding FAB1040. See your school counsellor for more information.
The Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act of Alberta specifies that Heavy Equipment Technicians must be either a certified journeyman or a registered apprentice.
While youÕre still in high school, you can begin an apprenticeship program and earn high school credits at the same time! This is possible through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). After high school graduation, many RAP apprentices complete apprenticeship programs while working full-time.
To enter the Heavy Equipment Technician apprenticeship program, applicants must have at least Grade 11 education or equivalent (or pass an entrance exam), and find an appropriate employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Employers generally prefer to hire high school graduates or technical school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees. Courses in English, Math and Science are particularly important.
To register in the apprenticeship program, the apprentice and the employer complete an application form together and submit it to the closest apprenticeship and industry training office. Once the application is approved, a contract is drawn up and signed by the apprentice and the employer.
The term of apprenticeship is four years (four 12-month periods with a minimum of 1500 hours of employment each year). In addition to on-the-job training, the term also requires eight weeks of classroom training for each year. Applicants who have successfully completed related courses of study and work experience may be eligible for advanced standing in the apprenticeship program.
Classroom training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently being offered at:
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton,
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary,
- Fairview College,
- Keyano College in Fort McMurray,
- Lakeland College in Vermilion,
- Lethbridge Community College,
- Olds College, and
- Red Deer College.
When apprentices attend training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies. Most apprentices are eligible for employment insurance (EI) while attending classroom training. For more detailed information, contact your local Human Resources Development Canada office.
Loans and grants are available on a needs-tested basis through Students Finance.
After successfully completing the required exams and working specified hours as an apprentice, you are awarded an Alberta Journeyman Certificate. If you pass an approved interprovincial exam, you qualify for the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal which means your trade qualifications are generally recognized throughout most of Canada.
Outside of the apprenticeship program, four Alberta post-secondary institutions offer training programs related to Heavy Equipment Mechanics:
- Fairview College offers a one-year General Mechanic certificate program. The entrance requirement is Grade 11 (at least 60 Alberta high school credits) with at least a "C" standing in Grade 11 Math and English (or mature student admission).
- NAIT offers a one-year Diesel Mechanic certificate program and a two-year Industrial Heavy Equipment Technology diploma program. The entrance requirement for the certificate program is English 20 or 33, Math 20 or 33 and one of Physics 20, Chemistry 20 or Science 20 (or equivalent). The entrance requirement for the diploma program is a high school diploma with English 30 or 33, Math 30 or 33 and one of Physics 30, Chemistry 30 or Science 30. An interest in and aptitude for Physics is a definite asset for anyone interested in the diploma program.
- SAIT offers a one-year Heavy Equipment Technician certificate program. The entrance requirement is Grade 11 English, Math and Science. Applicants are required to write an entrance exam.
Check out more info:
For further information on career planning, occupations and educational programs, contact the nearest Career Development Centre or Canada-Alberta Service Centre (see the "Government of Alberta" listings in the telephone directory).
Or, Alberta residents can contact the Career Information Hotline by telephone at
1-800-661-3753 (in Edmonton call 422-4266). Hearing impaired individuals can reach the Hotline by calling 1-800-232-7215 for message relay (in Edmonton call 422-5283).
