What does a Heavy-Duty Equipment Technician (421A) do?

Heavy-Duty Equipment Technicians repair, overhaul, and maintain mobile heavy-duty equipment used in construction, forestry, mining, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, and farming.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

  • Examining and identifying problems in functioning of bulldozers, cranes, graders, and other heavy construction, logging, and mining equipment
  • Cleaning, lubricating, and maintaining equipment according to maintenance schedules
  • Adjusting equipment; repairing or replacing defective parts, components, or systems
  • Testing repaired equipment for proper performance
  • Effectively communicating with customers, co-workers, and service managers
  • Reading owner/operator/manufacturer operating manuals and service specifications

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

  • Secondary school diploma or equivalent; math, science, English, and electrical systems or auto mechanics credits an asset
  • High school students may benefit from Mining Specialist High Skills Major program
  • Completion of a 7,000-hour apprenticeship, including on-the-job and in-school training
  • Exam to obtain Certificate of Qualification

What's Your Future as a Heavy-Duty Equipment Technician (421A)?

  • Full-time employment; travel and evening/weekend/overtime work may be required
  • May work in modern laboratories or in construction fields, where environment is oily and greasy
  • Occupational risks include heavy equipment and power tools
  • Employers include heavy equipment firms; farming and transportation companies; and construction, mining, forestry, and material handling businesses

Wage Rate

Apprentice wage increases with skill and experience. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $35.00-$50.00 per hour.

Self-Rating

Heavy-Duty Equipment Technician (421A)

Ask Yourself: Yes No
Are you comfortable working at all heights? Are you able to lift up to 50lbs comfortably?
Do you have a good understanding of concrete, construction, and concrete pumping?
Are you comfortable working with hydraulics?
Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines?
Do you like working with measurements and specific design details?
Do you enjoy inspecting, diagnosing and repairing?
Are you reliable, a self-starter and able to work with minimal supervision? Can you start and finish work on time?


If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Heavy-Duty Equipment Technician (421A) may be for you!

You might want to look at these similar trades as well;

  • Millwright
  • Welder
  • Automotive Service Technician
  • Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic

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