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!
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- Millwright
- Welder
- Automotive Service Technician
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