Program_Heavy Equipment Technician

Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship

As a Heavy Equipment Technician, you will maintain, repair and overhaul heavy vehicles and industrial equipment. Heavy Equipment Technicians are employed by repair shops and organizations that own or lease heavy equipment used in construction, mining, forestry, material handling, agriculture and transportation industries.
Apprenticeship and Trades
4 Years
 Full-Time On Campus Blended
How to Apply

About the Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship

Do you have a love for big trucks or off-road equipment? There is an excitement that comes with experiencing these vehicles doing their jobs. Be a part of that excitement by learning their inner workings and how to fix them. 

Having a passion and interest in this field combined with your mechanical knowledge and hands-on approach to life will put you on the right road to a successful career you will love.  

In this program you will learn to maintain, repair and overhaul heavy vehicles and industrial equipment. Experience the sense of pride that comes with watching a vehicle drive out of the shop knowing that it was your skills and abilities that made it possible.  

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. 

When you graduate, you’ll receive both a:   

  • Journeyperson Certificate: This certificate not only acknowledges your expertise in your chosen trade but also grants you the legal authority to work in that trade. 

  • Education Credential: This is a formal testament to your dedication and hard work. It confirms that you've successfully finished an Advanced Diploma in a post-secondary study program and highlights the time and effort you've invested in mastering your trade or profession.  

Work-integrated Learning

Apprenticeship is a unique form of post-secondary education that blends hands-on work experience with classroom learning. On average, you will spend 80 per cent of your apprenticeship on the job, practicing your trade or profession, and 20 per cent in the classroom or lab through structured learning at RDP. 

Further Study

At the end of the final year of the program, you will also be eligible to earn a Red Seal Endorsement on your Journeyperson certificate upon successful completion of the Red Seal Exam. The Red Seal Endorsement allows Journeypersons to work anywhere in Canada without additional training.  

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

Learn More

Program Content

During this program you will spend eight weeks on campus every year, and a minimum of 1,560 hours on-the-job training.   

View Curriculum Guide

Completion of Classroom Training

Students must achieve a weighted average of 65% with no section under 50% in both the theory and practical components of the classroom training as well as achieving a minimum grade of 70% on the AIT Provincial Exam for each period of classroom training.  

Completion of a Journeyperson Certificate

The term of apprenticeship for a heavy equipment technician is four years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of classroom instruction each year. 

Student working on big truck engine

Related Careers

  • Heavy Equipment Technician 

  • Journeyperson 

  • Red Seal endorsement available 

  • Service manager 

  • Business owner 

  • Contractor 

  • Shop foreman 

  • Heavy Duty Mechanic 

  • Mechanic 

  • Service Technician 

An instructor shows a group of students the inner workings of a large engine.

Meet the Faculty

At Red Deer Polytechnic we are proud of our faculty members and staff who are experts in their disciplines and subject areas. 

Admission Requirements

How to become an Apprentice:   

  1. Ensure you meet Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) eligibility and entrance requirements for your desired skilled trade.    

  2. Apply for an Apprenticeship Education Program.    

  3. Register for classroom instruction.   

Academic Requirements  

Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) entrance recommended path requirements:  

  • ELA 30-2  

  • Math 30-3  

  • Physics 30 or Chem 30 or Science 30  

  • Related CTS courses 

OR 

Minimum Requirements:  

  • ELA 20-2  

  • Math 20-3  

  • Science 10  

OR 

A pass on all five Canadian GED tests  

OR 

Successful completion of AIT’s entrance exam 

Intake Details

Registration opens May 21, 2024

1st Period
September 3, 2024 - October 25, 2024
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
October 1, 2024 - November 22, 2024
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
October 28, 2024 – December 20, 2024
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
January 6, 2025 - February 28, 2025 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
March 3, 2025 - April 25, 2025 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
April 22, 2025 - June 27, 2024 
  • Blended delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • April 23 - April 25 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • April 29 - May 1 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • May 7 - May 9 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • May 14 - May 16 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • May 21 - May 23 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • May 28 - May 30| 8:30am-3:30pm
    • June 4 - June 6 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • June 11 - June 13 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • June 18 - June 20 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • June 25 - June 27 | 8:30am-3:30pm
2nd Period
September 3, 2024 - October 25, 2024
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
October 15, 2024 - December 20, 2024
  • Blended delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Oct 23 - Oct 25 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • Oct 29 - Oct 31 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • Nov 6 - Nov 8 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • Nov 13 - Nov 15 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • Nov 18 - Nov 20 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • Nov 26 - Nov 28 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • Dec 4 - Dec 6 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • Dec 11 - Dec 12 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • Dec 17 - Dec 20 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • Dec 20 | 7:30am-3:30pm 
January 6, 2025 - February 28, 2025 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
March 31, 2025 - May 23, 2025 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
May 5, 2025 - June 27, 2025 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
3rd Period
September 3, 2024 - October 25, 2024
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
October 28, 2024 - December 20, 2024
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
January 6, 2025 - February 28, 2025 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
February 24, 2025 - May 2, 2025
  • Blended delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Feb 26 - Feb 27 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • March 5 - March 6 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • March 12 - March 13 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • March 19 - March 20 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • March 26 - March 27 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • April 2 - April 3 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • April 9 - April 10 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • April 16 - April 17 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • April 23 - April 24 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • April 28 & 30 | 8:30am-3:30pm 
    • May 1 -  May 2 | 8:30am-3:30pm
4th Period
September 3, 2024 - October 25, 2024
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
January 6, 2025 - February 28, 2025 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
April 22, 2025 - June 27, 2025
  • Blended delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • April 28 - April 30 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • May 5 - May 7 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • May 12 - May 14 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • May 20 - May 21 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • May 26 - May 28 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • June 2 - June 4 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • June 9 - June 11 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • June 16 - June 18 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • June 25 - June 27 | 8:30am-3:30pm
    • June 27 | 7:30am-3:30pm

Program Cost

Estimated Tuition & Fees
1st Period
$1,480.80
2nd Period
$1,480.80
3rd Period
$1,480.80
4th Period
$1,480.80

These costs are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per training period.     

NOTE: Additional fees may apply. 

For full fee information, view our Program Cost Estimates.