Heavy-dutyequipmentmechanicsrepair,troubleshoot,adjust,overhaulandmaintainmobileheavy-dutyequipment–poweredbyinternalcombustionenginesorelectricity–usedinconstruction,transportation,forestry,mining,oil and gas, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, farming and similar activities.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE • CompletionofGrade12isusuallyrequired.• Completionofathree-tofive-year

apprenticeship program; or a combination of more than four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industrycoursesinheavyequipmentrepairisusuallyrequiredtobeeligiblefortradecertification.

TRAINING

The Industry Training Authority is a good place tofindinformationaboutbecomingaheavy-dutyequipmentmechanicandtrainingforcareersintheTrades.Therearefourlevelsoftraininginvolvedifyouwanttobecomeaheavy-dutyequipmentmechanicandyoucanregisteratanumber of different schools to train, including the College of New Caledonia, Northwest Community College and Northern Lights College. Ifyou’reinterestedincompletingGrade12orupgradingyourskills,youhaveanumberof options. Check out adult basic education programs at:• TheCollegeofNewCaledonia.CNCalsooffersaMiningIndustryCertificate.

• NorthwestCommunityCollege.IfyouhaveyourGrade12andareinterestedinexploring your career options, contact:• GeneraleducationaladvisorsorFirst

Nations Access coordinators at Northwest Community College.

• SchoolofExploration&MiningadvisorsatNorthwest Community College.

• AcademicadvisorsattheCollegeofNewCaledonia.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT POTENTIAL

• Progressiontosupervisorypositionsispossible with experience.

• RedSealtradecertificationallowsforinterprovincialmobility.

JOBDESCRIPTION

Heavy-dutyequipmentmechanicsperformsomeorallofthefollowingduties:• Checkbulldozers,cranes,gradersandotherheavyconstruction,agricultural,loggingandminingequipmentforproperperformanceandinspectequipmentto detect faults and malfunctions.

• Diagnosefaultsormalfunctionsusingcomputerizedandothertestingequipmenttodetermineextentofrepairrequired.

• Adjustequipmentandrepairorreplacedefectiveparts,componentsorsystems, using hand and power tools.

• Testrepairedequipmentforproperperformanceandtoensurethatworkmeetsmanufacturers’specifications.

• Clean,lubricateandperformotherroutinemaintenanceworkonequipment.• Serviceattachmentsandworkingtoolssuchasharvestingandtillageequipment,blades,ploughs,winchesandsidebooms.

• Mayperformrepairworkonheavytrucks.• Mayattachcomponentsandadjustnewfarmequipment.Heavy-duty and farm equipment mechanics may specialize in specific types of machinery such as combines or tracked vehicles, or in engine overhaul, power shift transmissions, fuel injection, hydraulics or electronics.

HEAVY-DUTY EQUIPMENTMECHANICS

Tolearnmoreaboutacareerasaheavy-dutyequipmentmechanic(includinginformationabout work duties and working conditions, salaries and employment prospects), you can access information in the National Occupation Classification(NOC)Systematwww.workfutures.bc.ca.TheNOCcodeforthisoccupationis7312.

Seabridge Gold developed its job fact sheets using information from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s 2006 National Occupational Classification, BC Work Futures (www.workfutures.bc.ca) and the Mining Industry Human Resource Council’s ‘Explore for More’ program (www.acareerinmining.ca). To learn more about Seabridge Gold and its projects, visit www.seabridgegold.net.

image source: MiHR Council and iStock