Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics (NOC 7312)
Description
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics repair, troubleshoot, adjust, overhaul and maintain mobile heavy-duty equipment used in construction, transportation, forestry, mining, oil and gas, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, farming and similar activities. They are employed by companies which own and operate heavy equipment, by heavy equipment dealers, rental and service establishments, and by railway transport companies and urban transit systems.
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Example Titles
- construction equipment mechanic
- diesel mechanic, heavy equipment
- farm equipment mechanic
- heavy-duty equipment mechanic apprentice
- heavy-duty equipment technician
- heavy equipment mechanic
- heavy mobile logging equipment mechanic
- heavy mobile mining equipment mechanic
- locomotive mechanic
- tractor mechanic
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Classified Elsewhere
- Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (Except Textile) (7311)
- Motor vehicle diesel engine mechanics (in 7321 Automotive Service Technicians, Truck Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers)
- Supervisors of heavy equipment mechanics (in 7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades)
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Duties
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics perform some or all of the following duties:
- Check bulldozers, cranes, graders and other heavy construction, agricultural, logging and mining equipment for proper performance and inspect equipment to detect faults and malfunctions
- Diagnose faults or malfunctions using computerized and other testing equipment to determine extent of repair required
- Adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts, components or systems, using hand and power tools
- Test repaired equipment for proper performance and to ensure that work meets manufacturer specifications
- Clean, lubricate and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment
- Service attachments and working tools such as harvesting and tillage equipment, blades, ploughs, winches and side booms
- May perform repair work on heavy trucks
- May attach components and adjust new farm equipment.
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Skills
Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics need the following skills and abilities:
Essential skills:
- good oral communications skill
- good problem-solving skills
- ability to work independently or as part of a team
- good health, physical fitness, stamina and manual dexterity
- good vision, hearing, and sense of smell to diagnose problems.
Technical skills:
- general mechanical ability
- ability to read technical specifications
- knowledge of safe working procedures
- ability to operate power tools and equipment with precision.
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Employment Requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a four year Heavy Duty Equipment Technician apprenticeship, a four year Agricultural Equipment Technician apprenticeship, a four year Truck and Transport Mechanic apprenticeship or successful completion of the Trades Qualification Examination or a combination of several years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in heavy equipment repair is usually required.
- Some employers will require new workers to have a basic set of hand tools.
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Terms & Conditions
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics usually work indoors in a vehicle service centre, although in rural areas they may travel to farms or construction sites to repair equipment. They generally work a 35-40 hour work week, with occasional shift work and overtime. Heavy lifting may be required. There is always a risk of injury when working with heavy equipment and power tools.
Manitoba's Farm Equipment regulations state that the rate of pay for an apprentice, while not attending school, shall not be less than the provincial minimum wage plus:
20% during the first year
40% during the second year
60% during the third year
80% during the fourth year
Apprentice farm equipment mechanics who work for a unionized employer are entitled to the wage rate specified in the collective agreement providing this is equal or higher than the regulated rate.
Manitoba's heavy duty equipment mechanic regulations state that the rate of pay for an apprentice, while not attending school, shall not be less than the provincial minimum wage plus:
50% during the first year
70% during the second year
90% during the third year
100% during the fourth year
Apprentice heavy duty equipment mechanics who work for a unionized employer are entitled to the wage rate specified in the collective agreement providing this is equal or higher than the regulated rate.
Most heavy-duty equipment mechanics (96%) work full time. The work is subject to seasonal fluctuations and industry cycles. Almost all (93%) are employees, although there are opportunities for self employment.
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Earnings
$30,500 per annum - starting
$47,800 per annum - average
$65,200 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
The following institutions offer training in this field:
- Assiniboine Community College offers a 20-month Heavy Duty Equipment Technician diploma program. Graduates of this program may obtain professional qualifications (journeyperson status) by completing an apprenticeship program. Students who complete this diploma program with a 70% average may receive Level 1 credit toward the apprenticeship program. http://public.assiniboine.net/Default.aspx?tabID=84&f=Description&prgID=60
- Assiniboine Community College also offers a four-year John Deere Ag Technician certificate program. To enter this program you must be sponsored by a John Deere Dealership and be a registered apprentice with the Manitoba Apprenticeship Branch. This programs counts as the in-school technical trainingportion of the apprenticeship.
- http://public.assiniboine.net/Default.aspx?tabID=84&f=Description&prgID=62
- Red River College offers a one-year Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic certificate program. http://me.rrc.mb.ca/Catalogue/ProgramInfo.aspx?ProgCode=HEADFCT&RegionCode=WFG
- The University College of the North offers a certificate program in Heavy Duty Mechanics. In most cases, graduates receive credit towards a Journeyperson's certificate. Any individual who successfully completes this program with a passing grade of 70% or more, and registers as an apprentice within two years of completing this program will be granted Level 1 of the associated Apprenticeship program. http://is-8668.ucn.ca/webpages/xml/xml_output/2009_7_10/Program_list_1249919322911.xml
- Winnipeg Technical College offers a 10-month Heavy Duty Equipment program. This is an accredited training program with the Manitoba Apprenticeship Branch leading to Level I In-School Apprenticeship status. Graduates of the Heavy Duty Mechanics program are required to participate in Apprenticeship level testing upon completion. http://www.wtc.mb.ca/index.cfm?pageID=57
- Some high schools in Manitoba offer a program in Mechanics.
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Career Paths
Workers usually enter this occupation as helpers or with experience in other mechanical jobs.
Certified agricultural equipment technicians, motor vehicle mechanics, or transport truck mechanics may qualify for certification as a heavy duty equipment technician.
Heavy duty and farm equipment mechanics may specialize in specific types of machinery such as logging equipment or tracked vehicles, diesel or gas engine overhaul, transmissions, fuel injection, hydraulics or electronics.
Experienced heavy duty equipment mechanics may advance to shop supervisor or service manager positions. With additional training, they can transfer their skills and knowledge to
positions in sales, purchasing, planning or preventive maintenance, or related mechanical occupations such as industrial, farm equipment, transport truck or transport trailer mechanic.
Interprovincial trade certification (Red Seal) is also available to qualified heavy-duty equipment technicians, agricultural equipment technicians, and truck and transport mechanics.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for heavy duty equipment mechanics in the 2010 - 2014 period are expected to be good. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 1,805.
The demand for heavy duty equipment mechanics is related to the overall health of the Manitoba economy, especially the agricultural, heavy construction, transportation, and mining sectors where the use of heavy equipment is concentrated. These sectors experience volatility and as a result of the economic downturn in 2009, there were job losses in this occupation. Heavy-duty equipment mechanics are employed in a wide range of industries, despite the fact that the equipment they repair and maintain is used primarily by these specific industries.
There are a number of indications that the employment prospects will be better going forward. As part of Manitoba's Highway Renewal Plan, an estimated $366 million will be spent on major highways and bridges in 2010. There are a number of other large construction projects planned or underway in Manitoba in the next five years.
A modest global recovery is expected to boost both demand and prices for commodities which would benefit Manitoba-based mining companies. Manitoba mineral production is expected to increase substantially with the planned investment in mine development. There is a shortage of agricultural equipment mechanics experienced working on the large scale farming machinery used in North America.
Many heavy duty equipment mechanics are accustomed to relocating across the country to work at major construction sites and as a result may be attracted by opportunities in other provinces.
There are proportionally more jobs for heavy duty equipment mechanics in rural areas of the Province. Employment is spread over a number of industry sectors. The highest concentration is in Wholesale Trade (26%), followed by Transportation and Warehousing (21%), Other Services (except Public Administration) (14%), Manufacturing (9%), Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (8%) and Construction (6%).
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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