June 2009

Working as a heavy equipment technician (NOC 7312) is never boring for Ron Neville. One day he could be fixing a 400-ton heavy hauler on an oil sands mining site. The next, he could be in the shop at Hammer Equipment doing basic maintenance on a dozer or overhauling the engine of a highway truck.

“With heavy equipment you don’t know what kind of machine you’re going to be working on next. We work on anything,” says Neville. “I like the variety, the challenge. Every day is something different.”

Neville was an automotive technician for 23 years before switching to the heavy equipment technician trade three years ago. He is now the shop foreman at Hammer, located in Fort McMurray’s Gregoire Industrial Park.

Work conditions

Heavy equipment technicians in Fort McMurray work mostly on large trucks and heavy equipment of all types. They could spend most of their day in an indoor shop environment, or they could be working outdoors on an industrial or construction site, or even on the side of a highway making emergency repairs.

The work can be tough on the body. “It’s physically demanding. You’re up and down, bent over and lifting, on your feet all day, on your knees, on your back on a crawler, or up and down a ladder if it’s a high piece of equipment,” says Brian Miller, branch manager at Hammer Equipment.

Heavy equipment technicians in the region typically work eight to 12 hour shifts. Depending on their employer, they may have to work day, evening or overnight shifts and they may be on call.

Apprenticeship trade

In Alberta, heavy equipment technicians learn the trade by working for an employer as an apprentice. The apprenticeship typically takes four years to complete. It includes a minimum 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training each year (see www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca for full details).

It can be a challenge for workers to find a local employer willing to hire them as a first-year apprentice, but it’s not impossible. Employers sometimes look for people with past trades experience, such as a millwright or another type of mechanic. Another common way to get into the trade is to start working for an employer as a shop hand or labourer.

“Once they get into the pool as a labourer, if an opportunity opens for a technician, the employer may offer them an apprenticeship,” says George Williams, manager at Bucyrus, a mine equipment dealer with an office in Fort McMurray. Labourers often assist tradespeople, which can help them learn more about the trade and whether it’s a job they will really enjoy, adds Williams.

Another way workers can show employers they’re serious about an apprenticeship is by enhancing their skills through a pre-trades program, such as the 24-week Mechanical and Construction Trades preparation certificate at Keyano College (www.keyano.ca). Keyano College also offers in-school technical training for first to fourth-year apprentices.

Pay

Wages in Alberta range from $25 to $40 an hour for a journeyperson heavy equipment technician. In Fort McMurray, they can earn up to $50 an hour.

Job forecast

Over the past few years, there has been a high demand for heavy equipment technicians in Fort McMurray. While work has slowed due to economic conditions, many employers in the region continue to hire and companies like Hammer and Bucyrus anticipate a continued need for heavy equipment technicians.

“In summer time, with infrastructure work taking place, we’ll gear up again. It will start picking up,” predicts Miller.

The information in this issue of Labour Market News was current as of the date shown. Employment outlook, salaries and educational programs may change. Please verify the information with additional sources before making career or business investment decisions. Contact us for more information.