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Heavy Duty Equipment Technician: Apprenticeship (Level 4)

Northern Lights College

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Applications are submitted externally through the NLC website.

  • Training Level
    Apprenticeship
  • Tuition Estimate
    $600 (Level 4); Verify fee schedule for details.
  • Book & Supplies Cost Estimates
    $1,500; Verify fee schedule for details.
  • Credential Granted
    • Apprenticeship
    • Heavy Duty Equipment Technician- Certificate of Qualification with Interprovincial Red Seal endorsement; Certificate of Apprenticeship
  • Coordinator Contact
    Pam Eales, Trades & Apprenticeship Coordinator
    Email peales@itabc.ca
    250.784.7605

Application Deadline Advice

Qualified applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Early application is recommended.

Verify dates and deadlines directly with NLC. 

Red Seal

This is a Red Seal trade. Learn more about trade mobility within Canada at Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program

Training Schedule

Training schedule details provided by the BC Trades Training Consortium (TTC).

Contact NLC for the next opening.

Related Foundation Programs

Not ready for an apprenticeship program? This Foundation (Pre-apprenticeship) program may be of interest:

Apprenticeship Training

This program satisfies the training standard set by the BC Industry Training Authority (ITA) for:

Heavy Duty Equipment Technician

For updated details regarding Heavy Duty Equipment Technician , please review the ITA Accredited program profiles.

ITA Registration

Individuals who wish to begin an apprenticeship in this program must register with the ITA along with their sponsors. Application forms for all programs are available from the ITA website. Online registration is also available for most programs though the ITA website.

Description

Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians maintain, manufacture, recondition, overhaul and repair equipment powered by internal combustion engines or electricity. This equipment includes graders, loaders, shovels, off-highway tractors, off-highway trucks, forklifts, wheeled and tracked vehicles of all types used in construction, logging, sawmill, manufacturing, mining and other similar industry settings.

The program combines technical and work-based training. It generally takes four years to complete.

The technical training is made up of four levels totaling 840 hours.  Level One is 300 hours, Level Two is 240 hours, Level three is 180 hours, Level 4 is 120 hours. This block of training is normally delivered through an ITA approved training institution. Sometimes it may also be met through approved training models (distance education, part-time) and/or a level challenge exam.

The work-based training totals 6360 hours. Based on a 30-hour work week this involves 212 weeks of training.

For details about the Pan-Canadian Harmonization Initiative and previous changes to the program structure, visit the ITA website OSPN 2017-010 .

Training Content
  • Occupational Skills
  • Brakes
  • Hydraulics
  • Electrical
  • Frames, Steering and Suspension
  • Trailer
  • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
  • Engines and Supporting Systems
  • Powertrains
  • Structural Components and Accessories
Pre-requisites

Recommended

(Please refer to the BC Curriculum Comparison Chart for course equivalents)

Grade 10 or equivalent, including:
  • English 10
  • Math 10
  • Science 10

Preferred

  • Grade 12 or equivalent
Advisor Tips
The Red Seal endorsement allows qualified tradespeople to practice their trade anywhere in the country.  To receive this endorsement you must pass a Red Seal exam. Depending on your trade there is anywhere from 100 to 150 multiple choice questions on the exam. The passing grade is 70%.

There are currently 56 designated Red Seal trades in Canada.
Cross-Program Credits

Individuals who hold the credentials listed below are entitled to receive partial credit toward the completion requirements of this program.

Credential
Credits Granted

Truck & Transport Mechanic- Certificate of Qualification

  • Technical Training: Levels 1, 2 & 3
  • Work-Based Training: 4,500 hours

Diesel Engine Mechanic Certificate- Certificate of Qualification

  • Technical Training: Levels 1 & 2
  • Work-Based Training: 1,500 hours

Transport Trailer Technician- Certificate of Qualification

  • Technical Training: Level 1
  • Work-Based Training: 1,500 hours
Related Occupations

Apprenticeship training in this program can lead to a career in:

Explore potential career options in WorkBC. BC Work Futures provides information about occupations, industries and labour market conditions in British Columbia. It features detailed profiles of over 500 occupations.