Heavy-duty Equipment Technicians
(NOC 7312)
in All Trades and TransportationHeavy-duty equipment technicians repair and maintain heavy construction and off-highway vehicles, whether wheeled or tracked. Agricultural equipment technicians repair and service machines typically used in the farming industry. They work for companies that own and operate heavy equipment, and by heavy equipment dealers, rental and service companies, and railway transport companies and urban transit systems.
Job Outlook
Good
Read more
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
Hiring prospects for this occupation vary across different areas of the province. While there is typically not a large number of job vacancies, employers sometimes struggle to find qualified candidates. Jobseekers with Red Seal certification will have less trouble finding work, and may find that this occupation is sometimes combined with a heavy equipment operator role. The number of training seats for this trade is limited in Nova Scotia, so competition among graduates for apprenticeships is not excessive.
Hourly Pay
$18.90
Minimum$27.47
Median$39.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$18,034
Minimum$58,259
Median$114,867
MaximumCompared to: All Trades and Transportation
Hourly Pay
$15.00
Minimum$24.00
Median$37.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$7,580
Minimum$37,269
Median$79,787
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Heavy-duty equipment technicians repair and maintain heavy construction and off-highway vehicles, whether wheeled or tracked. Agricultural equipment technicians repair and service machines typically used in the farming industry. They work for companies that own and operate heavy equipment, and by heavy equipment dealers, rental and service companies, and railway transport companies and urban transit systems.
Job duties
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics:
- Check bulldozers, cranes, graders, and other heavy construction, agricultural, logging and mining equipment for proper performance and inspect equipment to detect faults and malfunctions.
- Diagnose faults or malfunctions using computerized and other testing equipment to determine extent of repair required.
- Adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts, components, or systems, using hand and power tools.
- Test repaired equipment for proper performance and to ensure that work meets manufacturers' specifications.
- Clean, lubricate and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment.
- Service attachments and working tools like harvesting and tillage equipment, blades, ploughs, winches, and side booms.
- May perform repair work on heavy trucks.
- May attach components and adjust new farm equipment.
Sample job titles
- agricultural equipment technician
- construction equipment mechanic
- crane service technician
- farm equipment mechanic
- farm machinery mechanic
- heavy diesel engine mechanic
- heavy equipment inspector-repairer
- heavy-duty equipment mechanic
- heavy-duty equipment technician
Skills
- Mechanical ability
- Hand-eye coordination
- Good vision, hearing and a sense of smell to diagnose problems
- Strength and stamina to lift heavy machine parts and in cramped or awkward positions
- Ability to think logically
- Ability to understand technical information
- Ability to work independently with little supervision
- Interpersonal skills for working with others
- Math and computer skills
- Technicians should enjoy working with their hands, doing precision work, solving problems and diagnosing complex mechanical, hydraulic and electrical problems.
Job requirements
- High school or equivalent (usually).
- Training through a 7,200-hour apprenticeship program with four apprenticeship levels: to become an apprentice you first need to have a job - enter an apprenticeship agreement either directly through an employer or after graduating from a college-level pre-apprenticeship program; learn on the job, mentored by a certified journeyperson who signs off on skills in a logbook.
- Trade Qualifier option, 10,800 hours and other criteria.
- Certification for agricultural equipment technicians is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
- Certification for heavy-duty equipment technicians is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
- Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for agricultural equipment technicians or heavy-duty equipment technicians.
- Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.
Other considerations
- Agricultural equipment technician working conditions: fully equipped service centres or may travel to farms to make service calls. Hours of work vary from regular hours during winter to long and essential hours during planting and harvesting seasons.
- Agricultural equipment technicians regularly handle heavy machine parts.
- Experienced agricultural equipment technicians may advance to supervisory positions or move into sales positions or become manufacturer’s service representatives. Others may purchase their own agricultural equipment dealership.
- Heavy-duty equipment technician working conditions: varies from one job to another. Some work in modern shops. Others work at construction or industrial sites. Sometimes outdoors in all weather conditions. Travel requirements and work hours vary.
- Risks: there is some risk of injury when working with heavy equipment and power tools.
- Experienced technicians may advance to supervisor or service manager positions or start their own business.
- Heavy-duty mechanics may specialize in machinery like combines or tracked vehicles, or in engine overhaul, power shift transmissions, fuel injection, hydraulics, or electronics.
- Apprentices usually earn a percentage of the journeyperson (fully qualified) rate. This percentage increases as each level of the apprenticeship program is completed.
- Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
North Shore
$62,384 median annual incomeHalifax
$69,262 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$53,617 median annual incomeCape Breton
$59,789 median annual incomeSouthern
$45,454 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Wholesale trade
Other services (except public administration)
Construction
Public administration
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
45-54
25-34
35-44
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
Top levels of education
Trade Certification
$66,200 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$58,013 median annual incomeHigh school
$38,055 median annual incomeLess than high school
$42,061 median annual incomeDiploma Below Bachelor
N/ACompared to: All Trades and Transportation
Trade Certification
$46,494 median annual incomeHigh school
$31,260 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$42,050 median annual incomeLess than high school
$28,319 median annual incomeBachelor
$30,527 median annual incomeEducation & training
Apprenticeship - Agricultural Equipment Technician
Apprenticeship ProgramApprenticeship is a structured training program leading to certification in the skilled trades. An apprenticeship combines supervised on-the-job training and experience with theoretical technical training. You find a job in your trade first and then enter into an apprenticeship agreement. You work 7,200 hours mentored by a certified journeyperson and gain the required skills and knowledge. You also take some technical courses. The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency administers the trades training and certification system. An agricultural equipment technician apprenticeship prepares apprentices to maintain and repair farm, ranch, and agribusiness power equipment and vehicles.
Institutions providing this program
Apprenticeship - Heavy-duty Equipment Technician
Apprenticeship ProgramApprenticeship is a structured training program leading to certification in the skilled trades. An apprenticeship combines supervised on-the-job training and experience with theoretical technical training. You find a job in your trade first and then enter into an apprenticeship agreement. You work 7,200 hours mentored by a certified journeyperson and gain the required skills and knowledge. You also take some technical courses. The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency administers the trades training and certification system. A heavy-duty equipment apprenticeship prepares apprentices to maintain and repair heavy equipment, and in the general maintenance and overhaul of such equipment.
Institutions providing this program
Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation - Pre-apprenticeship College Program
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to operate and maintain a variety of heavy equipment like crawler tractors, motor graders and scrapers, shovels, rigging devices, hoists, and jacks. They include courses in digging, ditching, sloping, stripping, grading, and backfilling, clearing and excavating.
Institutions providing this program
Truro, NS
Various, NS
Falmouth, NS
Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills in the field maintenance and repair of heavy equipment, and in the general maintenance and overhaul of such equipment. They include courses in inspection, maintenance, and repair of tracks, wheels, brakes, operating controls, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, electrical circuitry, engines and in techniques of welding and brazing.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Trade Qualifier
Trades ProgramThe Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency also offers a path to trades certification outside of a formal apprenticeship agreement with a qualified journeyperson. This option includes a set amount of required hours of related experience in the trade, passing a certification exam, and other criteria. Contact the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency for more details.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.
Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.