Among specific Heavy Equipment courses at Centennial College are: Trade Practices, Engine Systems, Fluid Power Systems and more.

1. Heavy Duty Equipment Courses Teach Theory
and Practical Application
“I decided to take the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician courses
because I thought there was good demand,” says student Kelsey of
the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Co-op Apprenticeship program
at Centennial College. “[Even] if the economy gets worse, there’s
always going to be construction jobs, there’s good pay and I like
working with my hands. It’s a really good trade to get into.”
Although all students have their own reasons for applying to the
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician program, Kelsey is right in that it is
an in-demand industry. As such, after attending this two-year
program, students may find careers in forestry, construction, mining,
transportation, landscaping, land cleaning, farming and more.
Additionally, just by attending this one offering, they may work in a
number of positions, including: heavy-duty equipment technician,
service manager, service writer or coordinator, equipment company
representative, or college or industry teacher.
But how do the heavy equipment courses get students from
novices to professionals by the time they graduate? First and
foremost, students spend eight months in school, followed by eight
months during a co-op term actually working for an employer on a
full-time basis and a final eight months back in the program. As such,
students obtain basic knowledge, and then apply what they have
learned and gain new knowledge in the real world that will allow them
to master more advanced topics once they return to school.
Among the specific topics covered within the heavy equipment
courses are: applied mechanics, vehicle dynamics as well as
component design and repair, as it applies to the apprenticeship
curriculum. Additionally, students partake in courses that are only
available at Centennial College and cover advanced electrical/
electronics, logistics, plus hoisting and rigging. Lastly, students take
courses that offer them a business perspective of the industry. Among
the specific Heavy Duty Equipment Technician courses are: Trade
Practices, Fixed Operations Management, Engine Systems, Fluid
Power Systems, Occupational Health and Safety, Electrical Systems,
Brake Systems and more.
The in-school component of this Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
offering is conducted from Ashtonbee Campus. Known for being

2. Centennial College’s transportation training hub and housing the
province’s largest transportation centre, it offers students an
advantage as they have access to tools of the trade and the
opportunity to practice fixing actual heavy duty equipment vehicles.
Additionally, the campus prides itself on fostering an atmosphere of
real-life mechanic shops.
To apply for the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician program, students
are required to posses at minimum an Ontario Secondary School
Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or
equivalent. Applicants must also obtain satisfactory results in a
program admission session; and demonstrate experience, mechanical
aptitude and English proficiency. They may also be asked to present a
resumé. Successful applicants must be eligible to work in Ontario and
have an Ontario driver’s license.
Author Details: In this article, Klaudia offers information about the
Heavy Equipment Courses at Centennial College that result in an
Ontario College Diploma as well as completion of the apprenticeship
curriculum.