Heavy Equipment Technician - Apprenticeship

Admission Requirements Tuition and Fees Program and Structure

We offer a four-year Heavy Equipment Technician - Apprenticeship program for those interested in becoming a tradesperson in various industries, such as repair shops and organizations that engage with heavy equipment, machinery and welding.

After graduating the program, you will be able to:

  • Diagnose, repair and maintain heavy equipment and machinery through the skills and knowledge of your program's training
  • Know the different working parts of diesel engines and other mobile industrial equipment
  • Use hand and power tools to perform repairs according to manufacturer's specifications
  • Read and understand work orders, prepare estimates and interpret technical manuals
  • Write service reports and keep service analysis records
  • Diagnose the causes of failures
  • Specialize in several areas of the trade, including fuel pumps and injectors, track equipment, engine overhaul, hydraulic controls, power shift transmissions and allied equipment
  • Be familiar with the work of related tradespersons, such as machinists and welders
  • Perform assigned tasks in accordance with industry quality and production standards

Career opportunities

As a heavy equipment technician, you will be ready for employment with specialized repair shops and organizations that own or lease heavy equipment used in industries such as:

  • Construction
  • Mining
  • Forestry
  • Material handling
  • Landscaping
  • Land clearing
  • Agriculture
  • Transportation

Experienced technicians may advance to supervisory roles and service manager positions.

Admission requirements

You can register as an apprentice and attend 1st period classroom instruction without having a sponsor or employer. However, to earn on-the-job hours toward your apprenticeship, you must have a sponsor and an employer (which may be the same company). You are encouraged to find a sponsor as soon as possible so you can learn from a qualified mentor and practice your skills. Most apprentices come to classroom instruction with on-the-job experience, so without this, you may find the classes challenging.

Find out more about the Alberta Apprenticeship Entrance Requirements.

To Apply and Register
Register on My Trade Secrets  OR
Submit an Apprenticeship Industry Training Enrollment Form in person or by email to:
Keyano College, Office of the Registrar
8115 Franklin Avenue Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2H7
Phone: 780-791-4801 or 1-800-251-1408 ext. 4801
Fax: 780-791-4952 Email: registrar@keyano.ca

Tuition and fees

Fees - 8 Week Session 2023-2024

Please note the 2023-2024 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the tuition fee regulation.

Fees - 8 week session  Domestic Students
Tuition $1,016.00
Campus Recreation Fee $35.00
Student Association Building Fee $8.96
Student Association Fee $56.00
Technology Fee $95.00
Materials $87.00
Total Fees & Tuition ***$1,297.96
 Fees - 8 Week Session 2024-2025
Please note the 2024-2025 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the tuition fee regulation.
Fees - 8 week session  Domestic Students
Tuition $1040.00
Campus Recreation Fee $38.00
Student Association Building Fee $8.96
Student Association Fee $56.00
Technology Fee $100.00
Materials $89.00
Total Fees & Tuition ***$1,331.96

***Refund policy
• $250 admission deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• If an Apprentice withdraws 10 business days prior to the first day of class a 50% refund of tuition, minus the $250 admission deposit.
• If the college cancels a program a full refund will be granted.

For more information view the Keyano College Credit Calendar

Program structure

The Heavy Equipment Technician - Apprenticeship program is a four-year program that includes a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training each year.

Course outline for all years

How apprenticeships work

An apprenticeship is a work experience based post-secondary education. As an apprentice, you will find a matching employer to help tutor you as you become a heavy equipment technician through an Apprenticeship Agreement.

Your time is divided by on-the-job training under a certified journeyperson (about 80%) and attending technical training courses at a training provider, such as Keyano College (about 20%).