How Do I Become A Heavy Equipment Operator or Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic?

Heavy Equipment Operator

Although there are no formal requirements to work as a Heavy Equipment Operator, employers prefer:

• a high school diploma or its equivalent
• completion of a one to two year apprenticeship program OR some high school, college or industry courses in heavy equipment operating combined with on-the-job training

You may also start out as a labourer or truck driver, and learn on the job from experienced heavy equipment operators.

More information:

• BC Industry Training Authority – Heavy Equipment Operator

Heavy duty equipment mechanic

Heavy duty equipment technician/mechanic is an Inter-provincially recognized Red Seal trade. With a Red Seal, you can work in this trade anywhere in Canada.

Completion of secondary school is generally required to work as a heavy-duty equipment mechanic.

Although trade certification is not mandatory, it will likely increase your job opportunities. You become certified by completing an apprenticeship program through the Industry Training Authority of BC (ITA).

Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, as well as successfully passing the Interprovincial Red Seal exam, you become certified as journeyperson. Once you pass the Interprovincial exam (the final exam for this trade), you automatically have a Red Seal endorsement.

Challenge Certification/Recognize Prior Experience

If you have extensive experience working as a heavy duty equipment mechanic you may also be certified through the challenge process. This includes completing 9,540 hours of work in the trade and successfully writing the Interprovincial Red Seal exam.

More information:

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