Heavy Mechanical Foundation - Certificate
Overview
This nine-month program prepares students for entry-level positions as apprentices in four trades: truck and transport mechanic, diesel engine mechanic, transport trailer technician and heavy-duty equipment technician.
Students engage in a variety of classroom and shop activities. They learn theoretical principles of vehicle mechanics in the classroom. They apply their knowledge in the shop where they perform numerous diagnostic procedures, preventative maintenance procedures, removals, repairs, and installations of components on trucks, commercial transport vehicles and heavy equipment.
Graduates of the Heavy Mechanical Foundation Program typically find employment with service garages or industrial firms as apprentices engaged in the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles and associated equipment.
Practical Training
- Air, alternate and hydraulic braking systems
- Diesel and gasoline engines
- Electrical and electronic systems
- Employment preparation
- Heavy duty wheeled equipment and attachments
- Hydraulic systems
- Power train components
- Safe hoisting procedures
- Safe work practices and procedures
- Track machines and attachments
- Welding principles
- Winches and attachments
The theory component of the program is delivered in a classroom setting, employing a lecture mode along with self-directed activities, while the hands-on component is conducted in our mechanical shop. The ratio of shop time to classroom time is approximately 60:40 and based on a four-day week. Upon completion of the program, graduates possess the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to gain employment in one of the four aforementioned trades as a Level 1 apprentice.
All Heavy Mechanical Foundation students are encouraged to acquire additional certification, including an Air Brake Endorsement on their driver's license, a Forklift Operator’s Certificate, Occupational First Aid Level 1 and WHMIS through Community Education & Workplace Training.
Occupation Description
The Heavy Mechanical Foundation Program covers the scope of four occupations:
- Truck and transport mechanic: a person who maintains, rebuilds, overhauls, reconditions does diagnostic troubleshooting of motorized commercial truck, bus and road transport equipment.
- Diesel engine mechanic: a person who installs, repairs and maintains all internal combustion diesel engines and components used in transport, construction and marine.
- Transport trailer technician: a person who maintains, rebuilds, overhauls, reconditions and does diagnostic trouble shooting and repairs of commercial truck and trailers.
- Heavy duty equipment technician: a person who maintains, manufactures, overhauls, reconditions and repairs equipment powered by internal combustion engines or electricity and without limiting the foregoing, including graders, loaders, shovels, tractors, trucks, forklifts, wheeled and tracked vehicles of all types used in construction, logging, sawmill, manufacturing, mining and other similar industry.
Youth Train in Trades
The Youth Train in Trades program is designed to help secondary school students get a head start on careers in the trades while earning credit towards their high school graduation. Learn more online at Skilled Trades BC.
For more information, speak with your high school guidance counsellor or get in touch with Selkirk College’s Industry and Trades administrative assistant.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, learners will be able to:
- Outline and demonstrate standard occupational skills
- Service and repair various brake systems
- Describe hydraulic systems
- Service hydraulic components
- Service various batteries, systems and circuits
- Service frames, steering and suspension systems
- Service, diagnose and repair various trailer components
- Describe heating and air conditioning fundamentals
- Diagnose and repair heating and air conditioning systems
- Service various engine types and fuel systems
- Service, diagnose and repair electronic ignition systems
- Service powertrains
- Remove and install transmissions
- Remove and install drivelines and differentials
- Remove and install final drives
- Identify protective structures
- Service cab structures
Admission Requirements
- Graduation from a British Columbia Senior Secondary School or equivalent
- Workplace Math 11, or Selkirk AUD Math 46, with minimum of 60% or better
- Consideration will be given to mature individuals (19 years or older) who are not senior secondary school graduates, provided they are working to complete the recommended education:
- Grade 10 or equivalent including English 10, Mathematics 10
- Grade 12 preferred
- All applicants are required to complete a computerized placement test using the College Readiness Tool (CRT) in reading, writing and mathematics once they have submitted their application.
- Employers may require higher level of Math as part of their hiring policies
- Basic computer are skills highly recommended.
- Recommend possession of a valid driver’s license class 5, 7 Learner or higher.
- Students must supply some hand tools, safety boots, leatherwear.
- A refundable tool deposit of $100 will be required at the start of the program.
- An interview (in person or by telephone) with the school chair or designate may be required before entry to the program. Interview results are not used as criteria for admission.
In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum of 70% average.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic
International
All amounts are estimates and are subject to change. Tuition amounts are based on a full-time course load. Please note that many programs have additional costs beyond those listed here. For more information, please visit Tuition & Fees.
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