Apprenticeship

Heavy Equipment Technician

Apply Now

Need more info? Learn how to apply.

The Heavy Equipment Technician program will train you to maintain, repair and overhaul heavy vehicles and industrial equipment, both towed and self-propelled. The heavy equipment industry is very diverse, and typically apprentices specialize in a certain field of repair. There are 4 streams to this apprenticeship program, each with at least 1 common period, leading to 1 or more journeyperson certifications: transport-trailer mechanic, truck and transport mechanic, heavy-duty equipment mechanic NAIT's Heavy Equipment Technician program provides technical instruction and hands-on training to prepare apprentices for all aspects of the trade, including maintenance and repair of internal combustion engines and components, You will also experience truck and transport systems such as powertrain multiplexing air brakes drive axles steering and suspension just to name a few. In our off-road specific period of training you will see tracked and wheeled equipment, we have backhoes, front end loaders, skid steers and more.

Quick Facts

Credential: Journeyman Certificate

Hands-on and expert-led apprenticeship and industry training for skilled trades and technology professionals.

Campus: Main

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Main Campus in Edmonton. View map

Delivery Options:

    Periods: 4

    Apprenticeship is a method of gaining the expertise needed to become a skilled tradesperson. This is done through a combination of on-the-job experience and classroom training.

    Most apprenticeship programs are 3-4 periods in length, with an average of 8 weeks for each training period. In addition, there are specific allotments of on-the-job training hours associated with each period, so most apprentices complete 1 period per calendar year.

    Hands-on, industry-relevant training

    Heavy equipment technician work is most rewarding for those who enjoy achieving expertise with precise work, problem solving and working with their hands.

    • Heavy equipment technician: 4 year apprenticeship term. Apprentices complete periods 1-4, including a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job. Apprentices may also choose from 3 other certifications.
    • Transport-trailer mechanic: 2 year apprenticeship term. Apprentices complete a common period 1, which includes a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training. Period 2 is the work experience portion, which consists of at least 1,500 hours of on-the-job training.
    • Truck and transport mechanic: 3 year apprenticeship term. Apprentices complete common periods 1, 2 and 4, including a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
    • Heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road): 3 year apprenticeship term. Apprentices complete common periods 1 through 3, including a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
    Heavy Equipment program

    Enter the workforce with confidence

    Heavy equipment 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.

    Experienced technicians may advance to supervisor or service manager positions.

    For more information on roles, duties, career paths, salaries and more, visit

    Heavy Equipment program

    Want to learn more about this program?

    Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions.

    Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

    • Student application support
    • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
    • Program admissions process
    • Enrolment support
    • Student funding options
    • Fee and refund inquiries
    • General program and course withdrawal procedures
    • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

    Contact Student Service Centre

    Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

    • Program details
    • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
    • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
    • Program and course withdrawal

    Periods

    Tuition & Fees

    The tuition and fee amounts below are estimates based on current academic year’s rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Students who take all of their courses online are exempt from U-Pass, Health & Dental, and Recreation & Athletics fees. All fees are subject to change. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.

    View the technical equipment requirements (PDF)

    Scholarships & Awards

    How to Apply

    Complete an apprenticeship application & contract form

    Effective November 1, 2014, you must fillout the application located on the MyTradesecrets website for Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board staff to determine if you are eligible for status as an indentured apprentice.

    Dates & Deadlines

    Once you are an indentured apprentice, you can review the availability and start and end dates of the program you are interested in. Log into your MyTradesecrets profile and do a search under the Class Registration section. Then you can determine the schedule that best fits your needs.

    We recommend submitting your program application at least 90 days before the application deadline.

    Apply to Program

    Apply to the program with step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application process. Please note, processing time may vary for applicants, so we recommend starting early.

    Apply nowHow to apply checklist

    Want to learn more about this program?

    Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions.

    Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

    • Student application support
    • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
    • Program admissions process
    • Enrolment support
    • Student funding options
    • Fee and refund inquiries
    • General program and course withdrawal procedures
    • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

    Contact Student Service Centre

    Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

    • Program details
    • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
    • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
    • Program and course withdrawal



    The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

    Apply for Apprenticeship and Industry Training

    Begin the application process through MyTradesecrets.

    Apply Now How to Apply

    Shopping Cart Quick View
    Open Shopping Cart