College-trained workers make up most of the Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians

The purpose of this article is to garner attention to Centennial College’s success on training graduates of the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (Co-op Apprenticeship) (8205) program.

Forestry, agriculture, and mining industries are viable areas of employment, contrary to contemporary perceptions. In fact, an area of professional occupations working in these industries is a Heavy Duty Equipment Technician. These highly-skilled tradespersons work in other segments that involve machinery, including construction, municipalities, manufacturing, transportation, and wholesale trade. Demand varies and is dependent upon the industry, but it is generally increasing as governments invest on long-term infrastructure and sustainability. About 42% of the workers in this field is in the 45-64 years age bracket which means that heavy duty equipment technicians will be further in need as a huge wave of workers retire. The attractive area of heavy duty equipment employs mainly full-time workers, with over 40% of those working full-time, full-year are earning $50,000 per annum and higher.

One of the important factors for employment in heavy-duty equipment mechanics is the practical training provided in colleges. A two-year program plus an 8-month co-op apprenticeship proves valuable to professionals who gain real-life experiences during school while working towards a college diploma. Such program was brought to reality by Centennial College through its School of Transportation. The Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (Co-op Apprenticeship) (8205) program at Ashtonbee campus allows students to learn, practice, and hone highly-sought after skills in engaging classroom activities with up-to-date industry-standard equipment and valued transportation training centres. Here are some fact on the proven success of the program and the college, based on the 2012 Graduate Employment Report:

• Seven out of the eight 2012 graduates in the labour pool are employed.

• They are all working in full-time positions in a field related with their program.

• The reported average salary is nearly $50,000 which is a good compensation for starting positions, with $95,000 as the highest paid annual salary.

A success story from one of the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (Co-op Apprenticeship graduates) comes from Mike Rice. Centennial College was on top of his mind, because of its blend of theory and hands-on training. He was proven correct as he learned about the tools of the trade, while practicing on equipment on site at the school. He was inspired by the faculty, whom he admires and commends for their care and commitment to their students.

How the program works:

• Meet the eligibility and academic requirements: a secondary diploma, mature students status, or equivalent; and a college or university grade 12 English or completion of the English Skills Assessment.

• First year on campus with eight courses in the first semester and nine courses in the second courses, including a co-op preparation course to help students in the application process

• The next two semesters will be spent in paid co-op work placements in company employers, where students can apply their skills and gain real life experiences, all while being mentored by industry professionals.

• The program will wrap up with two more semesters of schooling with a line of advanced courses

• Students graduate with an Ontario College Diploma with a co-op apprenticeship designation and a positive career outlook with education and training on hand

The Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (Co-op Apprenticeship) program at Centennial College equips students with the theories and techniques to become successful in the trade. The program’s heavy equipment courses provided as much academic training as hands-on experience. Upon graduation, learners can pursue industry certification with the Red Seal Program, confirming their competencies and allowing them to work anywhere across Canada.

Author details: The author of this article is Jason White. He researched industry outlook for heavy duty equipment mechanics and connected it to Centennial’s Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (Co-op Apprenticeship) program.

Essential Facts - Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Program

Summary: Not only does this Heavy Duty Equipment Technician article include vital information about Centennial College’s program, it also features a graduate’s testimonial.

A program’s worth can be measured by its graduates’ success. Mike Rice is a recent Centennial College Heavy Duty Equipment Technician program grad. Here’s what he had to say about why this program’s heavy equipment courses appealed to him. “Centennial College first stuck out to me as the facility I wanted to attend because of the advanced courses they offered, and also the business aspect that was injected to better prepare technicians,” he says. “The theory classes are engaging, with open discussions about the topic at hand. The engine, electrical, hydraulic, and heavy labs offer students a place to put everything they have learnt to practice, with engine teardowns, hydraulic simulation boards, electrical simulation devices, and real world machines such as wheel loaders, excavators, and skid steers. Simulated faults and problems allowed us to diagnose and repair the schools machines in a controlled environment. Perhaps my favourite part of [the Heavy Equipment Technician program] was the final project where students were tasked with creating a machine that tied into our advanced electronics and alternative fuels class.”

While Mike’s testimonial offers insight, here are more specific facts of this Heavy Duty Equipment Technician undertaking.

• The offering is structured so that that in-school training is combined with practical on-the-job experience in the form of a co-op work placement.

• Students of the program spend eight months in school attending heavy equipment courses, followed by eight months in a co-op term working for an employer on a full-time basis and a final eight months in the program.

• During in-school sessions, students first obtain basic knowledge to make them comfortable when heading out to work in the field. During co-op, what they learn prepares them for more advanced topics.

• Among the Heavy Duty Equipment courses offered during the first eight months of the program are: Trade Practices, Engine Systems, Drive Train Systems, Electrical Systems, Fluid Power Systems and more.

• Once students come back from their co-op placement, heavy equipment courses become more specialized and include: Alternate Fuel Systems, Heavy Equipment Logistics, Fixed Operations Management, Hoisting and Rigging Technology as well as advanced levels of previous semester courses.

• Some of the heavy equipment courses offered are only available at Centennial College.

• Rounding out students’ Heavy Duty Equipment Technician training are courses in business, English and general education.

• Hands-on application is a big part of the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Co-op Apprenticeship.

• Centennial College’s transportation training hub, Ashtonbee Campus, gives students access to fully equipped labs that boast tools of the trade and the opportunity to practice fixing actual heavy duty equipment vehicles.

• Heavy Duty Equipment Technician grads work as heavy-duty equipment technicians, service managers, service writers or coordinators, equipment company representatives, or college and industry teachers.
  
  
• Professionals work in industries among which are: forestry, construction, mining, transportation, landscaping, land cleaning, farming and more.
  
  

If you have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent; as well as English Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent or can take the Centennial College English Skills Assessment for Admission, you have the requirements needed to apply for this Heavy Duty Equipment Technician program. You will also have to attend an interview during which you will submit a résumé and questionnaire that describes experience and work readiness. Lastly, it is worth noting that successful Heavy Duty Equipment Technician applicants must be eligible to work in Ontario and have an Ontario driver’s license.

Author Details: Emma gives readers insight into the type of heavy equipment courses at Centennial College.

Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Program Takes You from Novice to Expert

Did you know that in order to apply for Centennial College’s Heavy Duty Equipment Technician program all you are required to present is: at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent; English Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent; a résumé and questionnaire that describes experience and aptitude; attendance at an interview (by invite only, based on resume and questionnaire) with faculty/potential employer; eligibility to work in Ontario and an Ontario driver’s license?

Once you are accepted to this Heavy Duty Equipment Technician program, you will enjoy a combination of in-school training and co-op work placement that provides an excellent start to an apprenticeship. In addition, you will earn an Ontario College diploma and complete your entire Ontario apprenticeship in-school curriculum within two years.

This is achieved by spending the first eight months of the program attending heavy equipment courses at Centennial College that cover everything from applied mechanics and vehicle dynamics to component design and repair, as it applies to the apprenticeship curriculum. You will also take courses in advanced electrical/ electronics, logistics, plus hoisting and rigging that is only available at Centennial. Lastly, you will attend courses in business, English and general education. Specific Heavy Duty Equipment Technician courses include: Trade Practices, Electrical Systems, Fuel Systems, Occupational Health and Safety, Drake Systems, Drive Train Systems, Heavy Equipment Logistics, Fixed Operations Management and more.

Once you have a solid base, you will spend eight months in co-op as a registered apprentice. During this time, you will apply what you have already learned, allowing you to put your knowledge to use in a real world environment. Additionally, the co-op term serves to offer you preparation for your return to the school to complete more advanced heavy equipment courses. Many students end up staying on as full-time employees at their co-op placement upon graduation as they enter the apprenticeship aspect of their careers.

While at school, you will be based at Centennial College’s Ashtonee Campus. As one of the largest transportation training centre in the province, it is equipped with everything you need in order to master all of the topics covered in the program. Faculty members who have experience in the field and are prepared to answer any of your questions as well as share personal anecdotes that will benefit you in your future endeavors lead the mock real-world environment.

Upon completion of the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician program, you will be ready to take on positions such as heavy-duty equipment technician, service manager, service writer or coordinator, equipment company representative, or college or industry teacher. You will also find employment in a range of industries that include: forestry, construction, mining, transportation, landscaping, land cleaning, farming and more.

Jason offers insight into the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician program at Centennial College and describes entry requirements, highlights as well as possible learning outcomes.

Complete Heavy Duty Equipment Courses at Centennial College In Just Two Years

“This is an introductory program for students to get into the heavy equipment industry,” says Angelo Spanno, a professor in the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician program at Centennial College. “The program consists of an eight-month in-school portion. Then the following eight months is done during a co-op term actually working for an employer on a full-time basis for the entire eight months. Then there’s a final eight-month portion to finish the program.” While Angelo outlines the technical aspect of this undertaking, Kelsey, a student, expands on why the program is worthwhile. “I decided to take the [heavy equipment courses] because I thought it was there was a good demand. As the economy gets worse, there’s always going to be construction jobs; there’s good pay and I like working with my hands. The coolest part of the program is just getting to play with the equipment and circuit boards, learning to use all the different tools and how to perform maintenance.”

In order to benefit from the heavy equipment courses offered at Centennial College, students must complete the application process. This includes being able to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent. Non-academic requirements include: satisfactory results in a program admission session, experience and mechanical aptitude, resumé and English proficiency.

As Angelo mentioned, the students in the program split their time between Centennial College and an employer in the field. When they are in-school, students participate in courses that give them the necessary knowledge to go into their co-op placement and not be lost. Heavy Equipment Courses include: Drive Train Systems (covers differential, final drives and power dividers, power shift transmission systems), Hoisting and Rigging Technology (fundamentals and principles of leverage and power, mechanical advantage, material strength, and more); Engine Systems (designed to provide the apprentice technician with an understanding of the fundamentals and concepts or internal combustion engines); and others. In addition, working out of Ashontbee Campus — the largest transportation training centre in the province — students train on heavy duty equipment assemblies in fully-equipped heavy duty equipment labs.

Meanwhile, the eight months of practical training sees students at a heavy equipment facility, working among professionals in the field. This is an opportunity to not only apply what was learned in school but also to network and get to know professionals in the field. Many students end up staying on as full-time employees at their co-op placement upon graduation as they enter the apprenticeship aspect of their careers.

Speaking of graduation, once the program is completed students go onto to become heavy duty equipment technicians, service managers, service writers or coordinators, equipment company representatives, or college or industry teachers. Professionals are not only employed in a variety of positions, but also in a variety of industries that include: forestry, construction, mining, transportation, landscaping, land cleaning, farming and more.

Become a Heavy Duty Equipment Technician By Attending Centennial College

Today’s cities are being built bigger, better, faster and stronger. They’re also being built higher and higher. In order for these cities to withstand natural disasters and other such occurrences, they must be constructed with the proper equipment. That’s where heavy duty equipment technicians and the machines that they work on come in. However, heavy duty equipment isn’t just used to build cities, it is also used in forestry, mining, transportation, landscaping, farming, land cleaning, the military, and much more. Heavy duty equipment technicians are hired in positions such as: service managers, service writers or coordinators, equipment company representatives, or college or industry teachers. Although there are varying titles in the field, there are some duties that many heavy duty equipment technicians share. For example, all of them must know how to check heavy duty vehicles such as cranes, graders and bulldozers for performance, faults or malfunctions. They must also be aware of how problems are diagnosed once they are discovered. This is where using computerized and other testing equipment comes in — just like with today’s car models, heavy duty vehicles and equipment has become highly-technological. After a diagnosis is finalized, heavy duty equipment technicians adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts, components or systems using hand and power tools. Lastly, the repaired equipment is tested to ensure that it works. If, however, one is employed in management, he or she inspects the work of technicians.

At Centennial College in Toronto, students are able to participate in heavy duty equipment courses via the school’s Heavy Duty Equipment Technician co-op apprenticeship. Successful students will earn an Ontario College diploma, will have eight months of practical, on-the-job, co-op training at a heavy equipment facility and complete their entire Ontario apprenticeship in-school curriculum within two years.

In order to apply for the Heavy Duty Equipment program, one must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent. Non-academic requirements include: satisfactory results in a program admission session, experience and mechanical aptitude, resumé and English proficiency.

Once students are accepted into the program, they will discover Heavy Equipment Courses such as: Fixed Operations Management (introduces the concepts of Fixed Operations Management in the automotive, truck and coach and heavy duty service industry); Fluid Power Systems (covers in detail hydraulic principles, hydraulic schematics and circuit design, hydraulic actuators, and much more); Engine Systems (covers in detail diesel engine fundamentals, cooling systems, lubricating Systems, and more); and others such as Alternate Fuels, Advanced Electronics Control Systems Diagnosis, and Hoisting and Rigging Technology. Through these heavy equipment courses, students will have the opportunity to train on heavy duty equipment assemblies in fully-equipped heavy duty equipment labs. Meanwhile, the eight months of practical training sees them employed at a heavy equipment facility, working among professionals in the field. Students will be compensated during their co-op placement.

Service the Machines that Build Our Cities as a Heavy Duty Equipment Technician

We see them everywhere — huge machines that are used to cut down trees, form landscapes, build buildings and shape the places in which we live. But the inner workings of these machines are just as important as the work they perform. In order to make sure that they are running efficiently, heavy duty equipment technicians are responsible for inspecting and fixing mechanical problems under the hood and within these machines.

There are a few qualities that make Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians successful. First and foremost, much of the job of a professional in this field is carried out outdoors, on construction sites, in forests and in other locations. Therefore, the person who enters the heavy duty equipment world must enjoy working in adverse conditions. As the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician performs repairs, he or she must also be comfortable using his or her hands on a constant basis. In addition, he or she must like to learn, as equipment is upgraded and evolves quite frequently.

As there are a variety of job titles within the field, there are also multiple industries in which Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians find work. They include: construction, transportation, forestry, mining, landscaping, land cleaning, farming and more. One of the most important tasks of these professionals is to check bulldozers, cranes, graders and other equipment for proper performance and inspect them for faults and malfunctions. They must then diagnose the faults using computerized and other testing equipment. The next step is to adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts, components or systems using hand and power tools. Lastly, the repaired equipment is tested to ensure that it works.

Before one can enter the field, he or she must obtain the right education. Heavy duty equipment courses are offered at Centennial College via its Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (Apprenticeship Co-op), which takes a total of two years to complete and results in an Ontario College Diploma. In order to apply, you must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent. Non-academic requirements include: satisfactory results in a program admission session, experience and mechanical aptitude, resumé and English proficiency.

The heavy duty equipment technician program consists of a combination of in-school training sessions and practical on-the-job experience through co-op placement. The 16 combined months of in-school training offer the basis for being successful during your placement. That’s because you study heavy duty equipment courses such as: advanced electrical/electronics, logistics, hoisting, rigging, trade practices, fixed operations management, occupational health and safety and more. In addition, you obtain hands-on training before your placement through training on heavy duty equipment assemblies in fully-equipped heavy duty equipment labs. Meanwhile, the eight months of practical training sees you at a heavy equipment facility, working alongside trained professionals.

Centennial College: Heavy Duty Equip (Co-op) Program

Become a Heavy Duty Equipment Technician And Get Your Hands Dirty

We’ve all walked by construction sites, near forests or farms and noticed the monstrous machines that are used to construct buildings, cut down trees, landscape and generally shape our cities. But who are the people taking care of the inner workings of these important vehicles? They’re Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians and they’re not afraid to get their hands dirty.

Having the right training to become a technician in heavy duty equipment is essential. Centennial College offers a two-year Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Co-op program for those interested in this field. In order to apply, you must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent. Non-academic requirements include: satisfactory results in a program admission session, experience and mechanical aptitude, resumé and English proficiency.

Once you have been accepted into the Heavy Duty Technician Co-op, you will experience a combination of in-school training and practical on-the-job experience through co-op placement. During the 16 combined months of in-school training, you will take courses in advanced electrical/electronics, logistics, hoisting, rigging, trade practices, fixed operations management, occupational health and safety and more. During the school portion of the program, you will also have the opportunity to train on heavy duty equipment assemblies in fully-equipped heavy duty equipment labs. Meanwhile, the eight months of practical training sees you at a heavy equipment facility, working among professionals in the field. Successful Centennial College students graduate with an Ontario College Diploma.

Aside from the right training, Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians should also possess some personal qualities that will make them successful in the field. As a tech, you should like working both in and outdoors with your hands, have the stamina to be on your feet for long periods of time, use physical strength on the job, like to learn new things on a consistent basis (as equipment changes frequently) and be able to work with computers and computerized equipment.

Once you’ve taken the right training and possess the necessary skills, you can be employed as a heavy duty equipment technician, service writer or coordinator, service manager, college or industry teacher, or equipment company representative. As there are a variety of job titles within the field, there are also multiple industries in which graduates find work. They include: construction, transportation, forestry, mining, landscaping, land cleaning, farming and more. As a heavy duty equipment technician, you will have a variety of tasks. One of the most important is to check bulldozers, cranes, graders and other equipment for proper performance and inspect them for faults and malfunctions. You will then diagnose the faults using computerized and other testing equipment. The next step is to adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts, components or systems using hand and power tools. Lastly, the repaired equipment is tested to ensure that it works.