PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (From NIC website)
This entry-level training provides a base of knowledge common in the four heavy mechanical trades: truck and transport mechanic, transport trailer technician, heavy duty equipment technician, and diesel engine mechanic. To ensure curriculum remains current and relevant for new employees, NIC is advised by an active, local industry advisory committee.
You will gain skills to inspect, service, and repair off-highway and transport trucks, buses, diesel engines, transport trailers, cranes, graders, bulldozers and other heavy equipment for safe operation and optimum performance. You will learn essential skills in shop safety, work habits and maintaining tools and equipment. Your training includes rigging, blocking and moving loads; hoses, fasteners and fittings; welding; winches and working attachments; brakes; hydraulics; fuel systems; electrical systems; and internal combustion theory. You will also become familiar with record keeping, writing service reports and using trade-specific software.
On successful completion of this program and upon entering into an apprenticeship, you will be eligible to receive technical training credit for Level 1 and 450 hours of work-based credit toward your apprenticeship.
The Heavy Duty Foundations course is heavily prescribed and there is a wait list. Applications to the college should be completed well in advance to ensure a seat.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Heavy Duty Mechanics have a wide range of options for employment. Many work in the field or out of town for logging and mining companies or in town in Heavy Duty Mechanics shops. Heavy Duty Mechanics are one of the more in demand trades based on Labour Market Outlooks, apprenticeship registrations and industry feedback.
Past graduates have worked for companies in town such as;
Courtenay Spring Welding Inc, Forbidden Mechanical, Ironside Contracting Ltd, Leighton Contracting, Shields Industrial
APPRENTICESHIP DETAILS
A Heavy Duty Equipment Technician apprentice must complete a four-year program including 6360 workplace hours and 840 in-school hours of training completed in four levels of training, each ranging from six to ten weeks. After completion and achievement of a passing grade, the apprentice will hold the B.C. Certificate of Apprenticeship, B.C. Certificate of Qualification, and the Inter provincial Standard Endorsement also known as Red Seal.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
North Island College
(Campbell River Campus)
1685 S Dogwood St
Campbell River, BC
How do I get started?
- Meet with the Career Teacher at your school
- Plan your Grade 11 & 12 classes
- Complete a SD71 District Train In Trades Application
- Meet with a Work Experience coordinator to set up a work experience placement
- Sign up for S.T.E.P.
- Apply for a Trades Sampler program
- Meet with your school counselor to ensure you are programmed into the right courses
How should I timetable my courses?
Below are 3 sample timetables showing the pathway and required courses needed between Grade 10 – 12 so a student could take the Auto Service Technician Program in their Grade 12 year at NIC.
Sample Timetable #1
Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 |
English 10 Math 10 CLE 10/Elective 10 PE 10 |
English 12 Science 11* Socials 11 or 12 *Elective 11 (CLE11*) |
NIC Heavy Mechanical Counts as Grade 12 Electives Note: Requires “N” license as program is in Campbell River |
English 11 Socials 10 Science 10 Elective 10/Elective 10 |
Transportation Trades Sampler (Includes WorkPlace Math 11) CLC/Capstone |
Sample Timetable #2
Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 |
English 10 Math 10 CLE 10/Elective 10 Elective 10/Elective 10 |
English 11 Science 11 Elective 11 Elective 11 |
NIC Heavy Mechanical Counts as Grade 12 Electives Note: Requires “N” license as program is in Campbell River |
Socials 10 Science 10 PE10 Elective 10/Elective 10 |
English 12 CLC/Capstone |
Sample Timetable #3 (SD71 WILL NOT FUND Tuition)
Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | After Grade 12 |
English 10 Math 10 CLE 10/Elective 10 Elective 10/Elective 10 |
English 11 Science 11 Elective 11 Elective 11 |
English 12 CLC/Capstone Elective 12 Elective 12 |
NIC Heavy Mechanical *NOT FUNDED by SD71* |
Socials 10 |
Socials 11 or 12 Elective 11 (CLE11*) Math 11 Elective 11 |
Transportation Trades Sampler (Includes WorkPlace Math 11) |
Who can/do I talk to?
G.P. Vanier Career Office
Phone: 250-338-2110
Career Teacher: Ross Jamison
Career Coordinator: Kelley Giorgianni
Mark R. Isfeld Career Office
Phone: 250-334-4628
Career Teacher: Peter Lineger
Career Coordinator: Randy James
Highland Career Office
Phone: 250-339-5525
Career Teacher: Jacques Nijhof
Career Coordinator: Tracey.MvKinney
Glacier View Career Office
Phone: 250-338-2752
Career Coordinator: Dawn Stevens
District Trades Coordinator
Steve Claassen
Cell: 250-897-5632
Email: Steve Claassen@sd71.bc.ca
TRADES PROGRAM APPLICATION FORMS
If you will complete any of the following applications digitally, make sure you download and save them to your computer first before completing. You can use the Fill & Sign feature in Adobe Acrobat Reader to sign it.FILLABLE - District Application - Trades 2020 (Can be done at home and brought to Careers Teacher)
FILLABLE - Grade 12 SLP - Fall 2020 (Can be started at home and brought to Careers Teacher)
ITA Youth Train In Trades Application Form (To completed once accepted to program)
NIC Trades Application -Sample Only (See a school's Careers Department for actual one)