Heavy-Duty Equipment Technician

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Education · 1 of 5

The path

A 4-year Red Seal apprenticeship. Mostly on the job, with 3 or 4 school blocks.

  1. 1

    High school diploma

    Grade 12

    Grade 12 with math, physics and shop. Alberta students can start in high school through RAP (Registered Apprenticeship Program). Ontario has OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program).

  2. 2

    Find a sponsor

    Weeks to months

    Equipment dealers (Toromont, Finning, Brandt, Wajax), mines, construction companies, municipal fleets and forestry contractors all hire apprentices. Dealers recruit straight from college pre-apprenticeship programs.

  3. 3

    Register the apprenticeship

    Days

    With Skilled Trades Ontario (trade code 421A), Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, SkilledTradesBC or your province's authority.

  4. 4

    Work and study

    4 years

    Ontario requires 7,000 hours: 6,280 on the job plus 720 in school. Alberta runs four 8-week school periods over four years.

  5. 5

    Certificate of Qualification and Red Seal

    After your hours

    Pass the exam. Heavy Duty Equipment Technician is a Red Seal trade, so the ticket works in every province.