Heavy Mechanical Trades Apprenticeship Program

Are you a creative problem-solver who likes to know how things work? In the heavy mechanical trades, you learn the skills and the know-how to take on any mechanical problem. Apprentices work as:

• Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians
• Truck and Transport Mechanics
• Diesel Engine Mechanics

Apprenticeship programs

Heavy Duty Equipment Technician apprenticeship program

• 4 years (6330 training hours) of on-the job experience
• 4 levels of technical training
• writing the Interprovincial (Red Seal) examination for journeyperson-certification. Learn more about the Application Process for Apprenticeship Technical Training.

Truck and Transport Mechanic apprenticeship program

• 4 years (6330 training hours) of on-the job experience
• 4 levels of technical training
• writing the Interprovincial (Red Seal) examination for journeyperson-certification. Learn more about the Application Process for Apprenticeship Technical Training.

Diesel Engine Mechanic program

• successful completion of  HMTA Level 1 and HMTA Level 2
• registration as a Diesel Engine Mechanic and a Certification of Qualification as a Diesel Engine Mechanic

HMTA Level 1 (10 weeks)

Level 1 is also covered in VIU’s Heavy Mechanical Trades foundation program. Students who successfully complete the Heavy Mechanical Foundation program will receive credit for Level 1 and 450 work-based training hours toward their apprenticeship once they secure an employer sponsor. Students successfully completing the 10-week HMTA Level 1 will receive Level 1 credit only.

This training includes the following trades: Heavy Duty Equipment Technician, Truck and Transport Mechanic, and Diesel Engine Mechanic.

• occupational skills
• brakes, basic hydraulics
• electrical
• frames steering
• suspension and tracks
• trailer
• heating, ventilation and air conditioning
• structural components and accessories

HMTA Level 2 (8 weeks)

This training includes the following trades: Heavy Duty Equipment Technician, Truck and Transport Mechanic, and Diesel Engine Mechanic.

• electrical – diagnosing and repair
• engines and supporting systems fundamentals – diagnosing and repair

HMTA Level 3 (6 weeks)

This training includes the following trades: Heavy Duty Equipment Technician, and Truck and Transport Mechanic.

• power trains covering the diagnoses and repair of clutches
• manual transmissions
• automated transmissions
• automatic transmissions
• drive axles
• final drives
• retarders
• winches
• power take offs

After completing HMTA Level 3, you can choose to specialize as either a Heavy Duty Equipment Technician or a Truck and Transport Mechanic. After finishing Level 4 in one trade, you can take the other program, complete 1,500 additional work-based hours, and earn a second Red Seal certification.

HMTA Level 4 (5 weeks)

This training includes the following trades: Heavy Duty Equipment Technician.

• diagnose and repair of advanced hydraulics
• electrical drive systems
• track frames
• steering
• suspension

HMTT Level 4 (5 weeks)

This training includes the following trades: Truck and Transport Mechanic.

• diagnose and repair of advanced brake system
• advanced hydraulic systems
• hybrid electrical systems
• truck hydraulic assisted steering systems