Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic

Combines, graders, highway tractors and excavators only earn their keep while they run, and diesel mechanics keep them running. RRC Polytech’s Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic programme is a one-year certificate taught on RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus, in Winnipeg’s northwest, where roughly 60 per cent of your hours are spent in the diesel mechanics workshop.

Term 1 builds foundations through Shop Safety and Tools, Wheel Ends, Tires and Brakes, Engine Fundamentals, Electrical Foundations, Electrical Systems, Math, Communication Strategies, WHMIS and General Safety Training. Term 2 moves on to Powertrain Foundations, Hydraulic Foundations, Suspension, Steering, and Frames, Maintenance, Welding and Science, plus one elective from options such as Air Brakes, Diesel Engine Overhaul, Engine Management, Advanced Hydraulic Systems or Torque Converters and Automatic Transmissions. Each course targets the systems found on diesel-powered construction, agricultural and transport equipment.

The Heavy Equipment Shop at Notre Dame holds heavy mobile equipment like the machines you will service in industry, and you work on engines, standard transmissions, electrical components, air brakes and hydraulic systems with industry-standard tools. Term 3 is Field Experience, where you shadow licensed technicians at an industry partner. Graduates may receive credit for one level of in-school training in Manitoba’s four-year apprenticeship, and a program GPA of 3.0 or higher qualifies for Level 1 accreditation. Students supply their own hand tools.

Graduates find work as heavy equipment mechanic apprentices, truck and transport technicians, trailer mechanics and service advisors, and some later become shop forepersons or technical service representatives with equipment dealers. The certificate suits hands-on people who enjoy diagnosing diesel and hydraulic faults and are happy working in busy repair shops through Manitoba winters.