Heavy Equipment Technician

Learn more about this trade on the alis website.

Wage and Salary
Job Postings
Duties and Working Conditions
Interests, Abilities, Traits, and Skills
Career Advancement

Explore Apply Now

Heavy equipment technicians maintain, repair, and overhaul heavy vehicles and industrial equipment.Maintenance and repair of vehicles and equipment may include:

internal combustion engines and components, both stationary and mobile,
tracked equipment, commonly called crawler tractors,
ground engaging equipment and components,
earth moving equipment,
rubber tired equipment, commonly called tractors,
on-highway and off-highway motor vehicles, commonly called trucks, and
towed on-highway and off-highway vehicles, commonly called trailers.

In general, heavy equipment technicians:

interpret work orders and technical manuals,
keep equipment cleaned, lubricated and maintained,
diagnose faults or malfunctions,
adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts, components or systems,
test repaired equipment for proper performance and ensure that the work done meets manufacturers' specifications and legislated regulations, and
complete service reports.

Those authorized to perform the restricted activities of this designated trade include:

Sponsored Apprentices, and
Certified Journeypersons.

For complete information, see Restricted Activities and Classes of Individuals.

Program Information

Program	Information & Requirements
Apprenticeship	The term of apprenticeship for a heavy equipment technician is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction each year. This trade participates in two Red Seal Programs: heavy equipment technician - heavy duty equipment mechanic (off-road) and heavy equipment technician - truck and transport mechanic. See those trade profiles for detailed information. Apprentices are expected to demonstrate progress in their apprenticeship program within 18 months by engaging in an activity that will lead to the completion of a period of the program. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship program, the apprentice will receive a journeyperson certificate and an educational credential (Advanced Diploma).

Program

Information & Requirements

Apprenticeship

The term of apprenticeship for a heavy equipment technician is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction each year.
This trade participates in two Red Seal Programs: heavy equipment technician - heavy duty equipment mechanic (off-road) and heavy equipment technician - truck and transport mechanic. See those trade profiles for detailed information.
Apprentices are expected to demonstrate progress in their apprenticeship program within 18 months by engaging in an activity that will lead to the completion of a period of the program.
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship program, the apprentice will receive a journeyperson certificate and an educational credential (Advanced Diploma).

Program Credit

Category	Information
High School Credit	A high school student can become an apprentice through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) and gain credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time. A student involved in the Career and Technology Studies (CTS) stream in high school may be eligible for credit towards their apprenticeship first period training.
Related Trades	Applicants with an Alberta or recognized trade certificate in one of the following trades may be eligible for credit towards their apprenticeship or Trades Qualifier program requirements. Agricultural Equipment Technician Automotive Service Technician Transport Refrigeration Technician HET - Transport Trailer Mechanic

Category

Information

High School Credit

A high school student can become an apprentice through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) and gain credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time.
A student involved in the Career and Technology Studies (CTS) stream in high school may be eligible for credit towards their apprenticeship first period training.

Related Trades

Applicants with an Alberta or recognized trade certificate in one of the following trades may be eligible for credit towards their apprenticeship or Trades Qualifier program requirements.

Agricultural Equipment Technician
Automotive Service Technician
Transport Refrigeration Technician
HET - Transport Trailer Mechanic

Supporting Resources

	Description Description / Resources	Resources
Trade Information	Get important information about the duties, working conditions, and skills and abilities needed to work in this trade. (You will be re-directed to the alis website.) Trade Profile	Trade Profile
Job Information	View job postings in this trade, and learn about the current job market, average wage and resources for finding a job. (You will be re-directed to the alis website.) Alberta Job Postings	Alberta Job Postings
Entrance Requirement	You must satisfy the educational requirements or pass the entrance exam to start an apprenticeship program. If you are writing the entrance exam, there are entrance-level competencies to help you prepare, as well as an exam counselling sheet and study guide. Entrance Requirements Entrance Level Competencies Exam Counselling Sheet Entrance Exam Study Guide	Entrance Requirements Entrance Level Competencies Exam Counselling Sheet Entrance Exam Study Guide
Curriculum Guide	Get information on all of the program requirements and what you will learn. Curriculum Guide (PDF)	Curriculum Guide (PDF)
Classroom Instruction	View a list of currently scheduled classes. Apprenticeship Training Catalogue	Apprenticeship Training Catalogue
Financial Assistance	Student loans, grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information visit our Financial Assistance section, visit an Apprenticeship and Industry Training office or call toll-free to 1-800-248-4823. Financial Assistance	Financial Assistance
Examinations	Get exam counselling sheets for your upcoming apprenticeship, interprovincial or qualification exam. Exam Prep Centre - Exam Counselling Sheets	Exam Prep Centre - Exam Counselling Sheets
Legislation	For more information regarding undertakings, activities, and certification requirements, please review the Designated Trades and Restricted Activities Regulation and the Designated Trades’ Activities and Certification Requirements Order. Regulation Board Order	Regulation Board Order