Heavy-Duty Mechanic

Skilled Trades

Job Description

Heavy-duty equipment mechanics repair and maintain big machines and heavy-duty equipment. Your day-to-day duties would include adjusting, repairing and replacing worn and damaged mechanical, hydraulic and electrical parts on tractors, steam shovels, trucks and other heavy equipment. You need the skills to diagnose electrical, mechanical and hydraulic troubles. Working as a heavy-duty mechanic means taking equipment apart and reassembling equipment like engines, transmissions, and fuel and exhaust systems. Heavy-duty mechanics rely on hand and power tools and specialized equipment. As a heavy-duty mechanic, you may specialize in specific types of machinery like tracked vehicles, fuel injection systems, power shift transmissions, hydraulics or electronics. A day in the life of a heavy-duty mechanic might include repairing a massive logging truck in tome for a driver to deliver his load.

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Is your career goal to become a(n) Heavy-Duty Mechanic in the forest industry?

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This job is right for you if...

  • You want to live an oversized life in one of Canada’s beautiful forest communities
  • A sense of community is important to you
  • You like variety and learning new things
  • You want to make a difference working in a green job
  • You like to see what makes things work
  • You like to solve problems
  • You want to work in work clothes, not a suit
  • You don’t mind a little grease on your hands

Communities

Check out these forest communities where Skilled Trades jobs are available.

HIGH LEVEL, ALBERTA
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, ALBERTA
FORT ST-JAMES, BRITISH COLUMBIA

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Education And Training

You should earn a high-school diploma before applying to become a heavyduty mechanic. Then you will need to complete a three- to five-year apprenticeship program or a combination of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses over five years. Heavy-duty equipment technician trade certification is compulsory in Quebec and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories. An interprovincial Red Seal program allows qualified electricians to practice their trade in other provinces without having to write extra exams.

Apprenticeship grants: Apprentices can receive up to $4,000 in grants to pay tuition, travel, tools, or other expenses. If you are considering an apprenticeship, visit Red Seal for information on how to get started.

Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
Northwest Community College
SAIT

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NOTE

The requirements listed are generally required qualifications for this Career Type. The qualifications may vary based on the employer and/or the geographic location of that job.

FORECASTED JOBS

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* 2016 National Household Survey data not available. Comparative data has been used.

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