Pre-Employment Heavy Equipment Technician

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If you’re interested in heavy vehicles and industrial equipment, the Pre-employment Heavy Equipment Technician program is for you! This 12-week program at our Lac La Biche campus covers hydraulics, electrical systems, brakes, tools, and also workplace safety. Sometimes referred to as a Heavy-Duty Mechanic, the Heavy Equipment Technician is a high-demand career. Additionally, after successfully passing the Pre-employment program, you will have the opportunity to write the First Period Apprenticeship exam and begin your pathway towards a Red Seal trade.

NEW INTAKE DATE: January 4, 2027

Career Potential

Heavy equipment technicians are typically employed by specialized repair shops or companies that own or lease heavy equipment used in construction, forestry, agriculture, mining, materials hauling and transportation industries. An experienced journeyperson may find opportunities to advance into supervisor or service manager positions.

View more about career potential here.

Credentials

Certificate

Admission Requirements

  • English Language Arts 20-2
  • Math 20-3
  • Science 10
  • Or equivalent
  • Or a pass mark in all five Canadian Adult Educational Credential(CAEC)

Additionally, students who plan on furthering their apprenticeship training will need to be registered apprentices with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT).

Transferability N/A

Program Start/End Dates
January 4, 2027 – March 26, 2027

Location
Lac La Biche Campus

Delivery
In-Person Learning

Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
Tuition Deposit – $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)

Winter Offering – Fee payment deadline December 15, 2025

Tuition $3,052.49
Student Association $116.70
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Total $3,306.47

Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION

Fee Explanations

Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.

Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.

Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.

As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.

Click here to view Other Fees for Service

Domestic Apply

Use this process to apply to Portage College if you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (landed immigrant) or a protected person (refugee).

Domestic Funding Options

Browse through funding options available to students at Portage College to see what may be available to you.

Domestic Information Request

If you would like to receive more information about this program please use the Info Request Form linked here.

Pre-Employment Heavy Equipment Technician Course Listing

CSO is intended for workers in the oil and gas industry. With content that is driven and endorsed by the industry, CSO provides consistent safety and messaging that clearly explains safe work practices.
Hours: 5

CSTS 2020 or Construction Training Safety Fundamentals is an interactive nine-module online course that serves as a general construction site orientation for workers new to the construction industry. It is supported by a number of job-specific add-on modules to help employers customize CSTS training to fit specific site requirements.
Hours: 3

This introductory course is designed to allow the learner to develop an appreciation of the value of diversity within our culture. A unique combination of video and animation sets the path of exploration through a fictitious company. The interactive learning environment is designed for learner engagement and participation.
Hours: 6

This course will provide information on legislation, regulation and practices of safety procedures used in the workplace, as well as information on the correct use of tools commonly used in the Heavy Equipment Technician trade.
Hours: 40
Credits: 2

This course will provide the learner with information on types of frames, suspensions and wheel-end fundamentals. Information on how to service and use preventative maintenance for each will also be provided.
Hours: 52
Credits: 3

This course will cover the operations and service procedures of hydraulic disc and power brake systems and anti-lock brake systems. In addition, information will be provided in the functions and principles of hydraulic system and brake system components.
Hours: 48
Credits: 3

This course covers electrical theory, electrical circuits, magnetism, test equipment, battery fundamentals and service, electrical wiring, lighting circuits and circuit protection, basic electronics, and electronic control systems.
Hours: 55
Credits: 3

This course will provide the learner with the fundamentals in air brake systems, testing and service.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This course involves 120 hours of lab training at Portage College, Lac La Biche Campus. Practical training includes, but is not limited to servicing, repairing and performing various operations involved in the first year Heavy Duty Mechanic trade.
Hours: 120
Credits: 2