Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics (NOC 7312)

What They Do Heavy-duty equipment mechanics perform some or all of the following duties: 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. 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 such as 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.

Where They Find Work —    Top Occupational Areas Wholesale trade 22% Other services (except public administration) 17% Construction 10% Transportation and warehousing 10% Mining (except oil and gas) 7% Farms 4% Real estate and rental and leasing 3% Heavy-duty equipment mechanics work for: Companies in forestry, farming, mining, oil and gas, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, and other activities that own/operate heavy equipment Heavy equipment dealers, rental, and service establishments Railway transport companies and urban transit systems The unionization rate (40%) is close to the average (32%) for all occupations. The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of are found in Alberta and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Related Occupation(s) Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (Except Textile) (NOC 7311) Machinery and Transportation Equipment Mechanics (Except Motor Vehicle) (NOC 731)

Something to Think About To enhance your professional knowledge and broaden your opportunities, consider: Continually updating knowledge/skills Setting standards and guidelines for safety/operations

Use the "Where They Find Work" graph to target your worksearch. It may be easier to get into industries with the most people in this field. Want to work in an industry that hires fewer workers in this field? To be more marketable, check out whether you have the most up-to-date knowledge and technology skills for that industry. Check the provincial/territorial or local information (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca) for opportunities in your area.

What You Need You usually need a high school diploma. To gain trade certification, you usually need either a three- to five-year apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years' work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in heavy equipment repair. Heavy-duty equipment mechanic trade certification is compulsory in Quebec and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces/territories. Farm equipment mechanic trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces except Quebec and the territories. Heavy equipment and farm equipment mechanics may obtain interprovincial (Red Seal) trade certification, which provides job mobility throughout the country. With experience, you may move up the ranks to become a supervisor. Most recent entrants have a trade/vocational certificate, and almost 2 in 5 have a community college diploma.

Required/Related    Educational Programs* This will let you explore the program(s) of study that lead to this (these) occupation(s). Business Administration (C121) Mechanical Engineering Technologies (C315) Heavy Equipment Mechanic (T314) Mechanical Engineering Technologies - Other (T315) *  These educational programs are listed in the order in which they are most likely to supply graduates to this occupation.

Useful Experience/Skills Diagrams/schematics Machinery Physical/outdoor work Computerized equipment		Useful High School Subjects Industrial Arts Mechanics Math English
Depending on your background, this Education, Training, and Experience info will help you to: Choose your high school courses Plan your post-secondary program Choose relevant volunteer work Decide what new skills to learn Read job ads, professional journals, and newspapers for what the industry needs and employers want. Talk to employers and employees to find out the exceptional skills and knowledge that will help you land a job.

Current Conditions Your work prospects are rated FAIR because: Employement grew at an average rate. Hourly wages ($20.21) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average. The unemployment rate (4%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).

Work Prospects Current   Fair   2009   Fair

Outlook to 2009 Your work prospects will continue to be FAIR because: The employment growth rate will likely be close to the average. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.

Preparing for the Competition You'll be competing with school-leavers/unemployed workers. You'll be more successful if you develop your technical and interpersonal skills.

If you are beginning your career investigation, national outlooks will give you a good overview of trends. Ready to explore an occupation in more detail? Check provincial/territorial or local outlooks (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca).

What you can expect to make (Average Hourly Earnings ($/hour))
Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 $15.09 $11.74 25-54 $20.95 $19.76 55+ $23.02 $19.59 Overall Average for Ages (20+) This Occupation All Occupations $20.21 $18.07		Hourly wages ($20.21) are close to the national average ($18.07). These earnings are close to the average for occupations in the trades, transport and equipement operators sector and close to the average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Your salary can be affected by your background, the company's size and benefits, and the region and setting (urban or rural). Check out salaries in your own region by seeking info from: Employees/unions/associations Employers/human resource people Training institutions and placement services Company websites Professional/trade journals

Close to the average
The unemployment rate (4%) is close to the 2004 average (7%). This rate is close to the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations. A low unemployment rate often means less competition for the jobs available. But you still need to have the required training and experience. A high unemployment rate doesn't necessarily mean you'll have great difficulty getting hired. But it can mean a fluctuating demand for workers, and you may experience bouts of unemployment.		Year This Occupation All Occupations 1991 7% 10% 1992 7% 11% 1993 8% 11% 1994 6% 10% 1995 5% 10% 1996 4% 10% 1997 5% 9% 1998 5% 8% 1999 5% 8% 2000 3% 7% 2001 4% 7% 2002 5% 8% 2003 6% 8% 2004 4% 7%

% of Part-time work is below average
This Occupation All Occupations Full-time 98% 81% Part-time 2% 19%		There were 49,800 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 38% since 1997. The percentage of part-time workers (2%) is below the 2004 average (19%) and has risen since 1997.
When full-time work is difficult to find, look at alternatives such as contract work, consulting, shared positions, and telework.

Average
The percentage of self-employed workers is 8% compared to the 2004 average of 15% and has stayed about the same since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Self-Employed 8% 15%
Does this occupation have an above-average rate of self-employment? Consider being your own boss if you can't find work with an employer.

Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 9% 10% 25-54 77% 72% 55+ 12% 12%		The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average reflecting the age/retirement structure of the occupation.
Look at the youngest group. A low percentage means fewer openings for brand-new workers. A high percentage means more openings for brand-new workers. Look at the oldest age group. A high percentage means positions could open up from retirements. This could be significant for both mid-career changers and brand-new workers.

Below average
The percentage of women (1%) is below the 2004 average of 48%.		This Occupation All Occupations Percent Women 1% 48%

This page last modified on: 2007-03-31