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HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN – HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC (OFF ROAD) |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
There have been no changes to this trade in the year of 2009.
Heavy Equipment Technician - Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics (Off Road) maintain, repair and overhaul heavy vehicles and industrial heavy equipment, both towed and self-propelled.
Maintenance and repair of vehicles and equipment may include:
In general, heavy equipment technicians:
The working environment for heavy equipment technicians - heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road) varies considerably from one job to another. Some heavy duty equipment mechanics (off road) work in modern laboratories overhauling fuel injection pumps and delivery systems. Others work at construction or industrial sites, sometimes outdoors in all types of weather conditions. Travel requirements and hours of work also vary.
There is some risk of injury involved in working with heavy equipment and power tools. However, proper safety standards are maintained at all times.
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy achieving expertise with precise work, problem solving and working with their hands.
To be successful in the trade, heavy duty equipment mechanics (off road) need:
Heavy duty equipment mechanics (off road) are employed in specialized repair shops, large fleet maintenance companies, transportation companies and construction companies. In industries that are sensitive to economic changes, heavy duty equipment mechanics (off road) may experience periods of unemployment.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $25 to $40 an hour plus benefits - rates vary depending on the region.
Experienced journeypersons may advance to supervisor or service manager positions.
To work as a Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic (Off Road) in Alberta, a person must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson or hold a recognized trade certificate. (see Recognized Trade Certificates)
Heavy duty equipment mechanics (off road) learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road) who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road) who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Heavy duty equipment mechanics (off road) who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road) is 3 years (three 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
To learn the skills required of a heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road) in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates or technical school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice heavy duty equipment mechanics (off road) earn at least 60 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 70 percent in the second, and 80 percent in the third year. Apprentices are generally required to provide their own basic hand tools.
- apprentices are required to provide their own tools (costs range from $10,000 to $25,000)
- select an educational institution that offers training for heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road) apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. More information is available at www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca or by contacting an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyperson or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
- a certified truck and transport mechanic must have at least 2,250 hours and 18 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road)
- a certified transport trailer mechanic must have at least 2,250 hours and 21 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road)
- a certified automotive service technician must have at least 3,000 hours and 24 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road)
- a certified transport refrigeration technician must have at least 4,500 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road)
- a certified agricultural equipment technician must have at least 4,500 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road)
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
