Program_Heavy Equipment Technician

Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship

As a Heavy Equipment Technician, you will maintain, repair and overhaul heavy vehicles and industrial equipment. Heavy Equipment Technicians are employed by repair shops and organizations that own or lease heavy equipment used in construction, mining, forestry, material handling, agriculture and transportation industries.
Domestic Status:
Open
Next Start date:
Apprenticeship and Trades
4 Years
Full-Time On Campus Blended

About the Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship

Do you have a love for big trucks or off-road equipment? There is an excitement that comes with experiencing these vehicles doing their jobs. Be a part of that excitement by learning their inner workings and how to fix them. 

Having a passion and interest in this field combined with your mechanical knowledge and hands-on approach to life will put you on the right road to a successful career you will love.  

In this program you will learn to maintain, repair and overhaul heavy vehicles and industrial equipment. Experience the sense of pride that comes with watching a vehicle drive out of the shop knowing that it was your skills and abilities that made it possible.  

The working environment for Heavy Equipment Technicians varies considerably from one job to another. Some Technicians are employed by specialized repair shops and organizations that own or lease heavy equipment used in the construction, mining, forestry, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, agriculture and transportation industries. Other technicians work in modern laboratories overhauling pumps and fuel delivery systems.  

Experienced Journeymen may advance to Supervisor or Service Manager positions. 

When you graduate, you’ll receive both a:   

  • Journeyperson Certificate: This certificate not only acknowledges your expertise in your chosen trade but also grants you the legal authority to work in that trade. 

  • Education Credential: This is a formal testament to your dedication and hard work. It confirms that you've successfully finished an Advanced Diploma in a post-secondary study program and highlights the time and effort you've invested in mastering your trade or profession.  

Work-integrated Learning

Apprenticeship is a unique form of post-secondary education that blends hands-on work experience with classroom learning. On average, you will spend 80 per cent of your apprenticeship on the job, practicing your trade or profession, and 20 per cent in the classroom or lab through structured learning at RDP. 

Further Study

At the end of the final year of the program, you will also be eligible to earn a Red Seal Endorsement on your Journeyperson certificate upon successful completion of the Red Seal Exam. The Red Seal Endorsement allows Journeypersons to work anywhere in Canada without additional training.  

If you have a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, you are eligible to receive a Blue Seal Achievement in business competencies after completing the necessary requirements. 

Program Content

During this program you will spend eight weeks on campus every year, and a minimum of 1,560 hours on-the-job training.   

Completion of Classroom Training

Students must achieve a weighted average of 65% with no section under 50% in both the theory and practical components of the classroom training as well as achieving a minimum grade of 70% on the AIT Provincial Exam for each period of classroom training.  

Completion of a Journeyperson Certificate

The term of apprenticeship for a heavy equipment technician is four years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of classroom instruction each year. 

Admission Requirements

How to become an Apprentice:   

  1. Ensure you meet Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) eligibility and entrance requirements for your desired skilled trade.    

  2. Apply for an Apprenticeship Education Program.    

  3. Register for classroom instruction.   

Academic Requirements  

Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) entrance recommended path requirements:  

  • ELA 30-2  

  • Math 30-3  

  • Physics 30 or Chem 30 or Science 30  

  • Related CTS courses 

OR 

Minimum Requirements:  

  • ELA 20-2  

  • Math 20-3  

  • Science 10  

OR 

A pass on all five Canadian GED tests  

OR 

Successful completion of AIT’s entrance exam 

Intake Details

1st Period
February 26, 2024 - April 19, 2024
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
March 25, 2024 - May 17, 2024
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
April 29, 2024 - June 21, 2024 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
2nd Period
February 20, 2024 - April 26, 2024
  • Blended delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • February 22, 23, 28 & 29 | 8:30am-3:30pm 

    • March 5, 6, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 25 & 26 | 8:30am-3:30pm 

    • April 3, 4, 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 & 26 | 8:30am-3:30pm 

April 29, 2024 - June 21, 2024 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
3rd Period
April 29, 2024 - June 21, 2024 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
4th Period
February 26, 2024 - April 19, 2024
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
April 29, 2024 - June 21, 2024 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 

Program Cost

Estimated Tuition & Fees
1st Period
$1,451.50
2nd Period
$1,451.50
3rd Period
$1,451.50
4th Period
$1,451.50

These costs are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per training period.     

NOTE: Additional fees may apply. 

For full fee information, visit Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training