4 years (minimum 1,500 hours yearly on-the-job training + 8 weeks at RDC each year)

Red Deer College offers the Heavy Equipment Technician program, one of the many apprenticeship training options available for students. Apprenticeship is a career option that involves both classroom and on-the-job training. To learn the skills required of a Heavy Equipment Technician in Alberta and to be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice.

The term of apprenticeship for a Heavy Equipment Technician is four years (four 12-month periods), including a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training each year.

To work as a Heavy Equipment Technician in Alberta, a person must be a Registered Apprentice or a Certified Journeyman. 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.

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

For fee information, visit the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.