Okanagan University College

City:  Kelowna
Province/State:  British Columbia
College WebSite: http://www.okanagan.bc.ca
Mechanic Programs: Heavy Truck • Heavy Equipment

Heavy Duty Equipment Apprenticeship Program Summary:

Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics work on industrial and construction vehicles, such as mining trucks and bulldozers; on heavy equipment used in construction, forestry, materials handling, landscaping, and land clearing; as well as on buses and large trucks. Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic is a nationally designated trade under the Inter-provincial Red Seal program.

Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics overhaul, repair and service equipment such as graders, loaders, shovels, tractors, trucks, forklifts, drills, and wheeled and tracked vehicles. Working from manufacturers’ specifications, they identify and repair problems in structural, mechanical, or hydraulic systems.

The Heavy Duty Equipment Apprenticeship program is a four year term with four periods of technical training.  Each year an apprentice will return to technical training for 6 weeks for levels 1 through 4.

As of November 2005, the prerequisite for attending level 1 technical training requires that you have either completed an Entry Level Trades Program in the trade or successfully passed the module 1 entrance exam from the Industry Training Center.

If you have not taken an ELT program then you can prepare to write the entrance exam by purchasing the appropriate study material found on the following web site:

• Study Material can be purchased at:  http://www.publications.gov.bc.ca/ or our Okanagan College bookstore
• Order the following set of study materials ISBN: 0-7718-9287-X  QP Stock Number: 7960000042

Program Contact Details:

Heavy Equipment and Commercial Transport Mechanic Foundation Program Summary:

This 38-week program takes students with little or no previous experience in either the Heavy Duty or Commercial Transport Mechanic trade and supplies them with the necessary skills to seek employment in the industry. Instruction in theoretical and practical components of Heavy Duty and Commercial Transport Mechanics are included, giving students the opportunity to enter either trade as an apprentice. The program includes a two-week industry work placement. Graduates of this program may also be granted practical credit from the Industry Training Authority.

Program Contact Details:

Trades and Apprenticeship: Deans Office

Direct:  250-862-5457

Toll Free:  1-877-755-2266 Ext. 5457

Fax:  250-862-5469

Email: trades@okanagan.bc.ca

Website: www.okanagan.bc.ca/trades

Motor Vehicle Trades Department

Cam McRobb, Chair

Direct:  250-762-5445 Ext. 4258

Email: cmcrobb@okanagan.bc.ca

Department Website

Established in 1963, Okanagan College (OC) is a public, post-secondary institution recognized by the Government of British Columbia. OC is a member of the Association of Community Colleges of Canada (ACCC) and the British Columbia Centre for International Education (BCCIE).

The Okanagan-Shuswap region of British Columbia is located less than one hour east of Vancouver by air. It is famous for its beautiful mountains and lakes, and delicious fruit and wine. The area’s warm, sunny summers are ideal for water sports, mountain biking, and hiking. The Okanagan offers mild winters with excellent skiing and snowboarding.

Areas of Expertise

Okanagan College features university transfer programs in both Arts and Science, allowing students to complete bachelor degrees at affiliated universities.