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Heavy Equipment Apprenticeship
Program Description

Theory Component:

  • Online Self Study (1-week – 40 hours)

    • ​ 1 week of eLearning covering many topics, such as: Industry Sectors, Environmental Protection, GPS, Rigging, Traffic Control, and Ground Disturbance. 

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  • Fundamentals of Heavy Equipment (2 weeks – 54 hours)

    • ​ This 2 week course is a pre-requisite to the machine specific operator training program and provides participants with the fundamentals of OHSA Reg. 213/91, safety, equipment types and components, operating techniques, transportation, and maintenance that apply to heavy equipment in the construction industry.

    • Participants also complete training in WHMIS, Working at Heights, First Aid, and CPR. 

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  • Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1/2: Blended Theory & Demonstrations (1-week – 40 hours)

    • 1 week of a blended learning environment that focuses on the theory and practical components of building a road. 

    • Participants will split their time between a classroom and live demonstrations of the practices required to build a road. 

    • Theory subjects include, Site Assessment, Road Building, Compaction, Water and Sewer, Residential, Material Management, Soils and Aggregates, etc. 

 

Practical Component:

  •   Heavy Equipment Apprenticeship Practical Training Program (12-weeks – 498 hours)

    •  The practical training consists of 3 main occupations (not necessarily in this order):

      • Tractor-Loader-Backhoe (636A) – 4 weeks  

      • Excavator (636B) – 4 weeks  

      • Dozer (636C) – 4 weeks 

    •  Each occupation is a 2,500 hour apprenticeship which includes 166 hours (four weeks) for each piece of equipment. 

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 Dozer Practical Training (4-weeks – 166 hours) 

  • Each field exercise includes an instructor-led demonstration, followed by a participant practice session with ongoing coaching, skills evaluation and feedback from the instructor via two-way radio. 

  • The construction-type field exercises progress from basic to advanced level. Introductory training on GPS and laser control systems is included. 

  • Perform preoperational inspection 

  • Comply with scheduled maintenance requirements 

  • Plan work procedures 

  • Comply with grades and stakes 

  • Operate dozer: 

 

 Excavator Practical Training (4-weeks – 166 hours)  

  • Each field exercise includes an instructor-led demonstration, followed by a participant practice session with ongoing coaching, skills evaluation and feedback from the instructor via two-way radio. 

  • The construction-type field exercises progress from basic to advanced level. Introductory training on a laser control system is included. 

  • Perform preoperational inspection 

  • Comply with scheduled maintenance requirements 

  • Plan work procedures 

  • Comply with grades and stakes 

  • Operate excavator: 

    • Set up equipment 

    • Grades and layout 

    • Excavate trenches in compliance with proper slope ratios 

    • Excavate basements 

    • Backfill using various techniques 

    • Load trucks 

    • Stockpiles materials 

    • Cut and fill materials 

  • Follow shutdown procedure 

  • Load Excavator on transport vehicle 

 

Tractor-Loader-Backhoe Practical Training (4-weeks – 166 hours) 

  • Each field exercise includes an instructor-led demonstration, followed by a participant practice session with ongoing coaching, skills evaluation and feedback from the instructor via two-way radio. 

  • The construction-type field exercises progress from basic to advanced level. Introductory training on a laser control system is included. 

  • Perform preoperational inspection. 

  • Comply with scheduled maintenance requirements. 

  • Plan work procedures 

  • Comply with grades and stakes. 

  • Operate tractor-loader-backhoe: 

    • Set up equipment 

    • Grades and layout 

    • Excavate trenches in compliance with proper slope ratios 

    • Backfill using various techniques 

    • Excavate ditches 

    • Load trucks 

    • Stockpile materials 

    • Cut and fill materials 

    • Build and maintain a working table 

    • Build ramps 

    • Hoist objects 

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Participant/Instructor Ratio:  

  • Theory: 12 participants to 1 instructor

  • Practical: 6 participants to 1 instructor 

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Participant Seat Time: 

  • Participant will always be operating a specific machine on a continual basis of 8 hours per day for 4 weeks of practical training .

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Evaluation: 

  • Theory test - Mid and Final Test participants must achieve at least 70% to pass the theory portion of training. 

  • Practical evaluation - Participants must achieve 70% to pass the program 

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Total Course Duration:

  • 1 week eLearning 

  • 2 week theory 

  • 1 week blended theory & demonstrations 

  • 4 weeks practical 

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Program Cost Breakdown:

  • Classroom fees for 16 weeks: $1050.00 

  • Classroom fees for returning pre-apprentices that have already attended OETIO (13 weeks): $960.00 

  • One-time member initiation fee for joining Local 793: $992.50 

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