Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation

Program Description

This program consists of the Industry Training Authority - Heavy Mechanical Trades - Foundation training and a 2 week, mandatory work experience placement. 

There are four mechanical trades paths introduced in this program: 
Truck and Transport Mechanics diagnose, repair and service highway buses and trucks. They work for commercial transport vehicle dealers, garages and service stations. A Commercial Transport Vehicle Mechanic is designated as a Truck and Transport Mechanic under the Interprovincial Red Seal program. These mechanics work on the mechanical, electrical and electronic components of vehicles. This includes the fuel, brake, steering and suspension, transmission, emission control and exhaust, and cooling and climate control systems. Some mechanics specialize in one or more of these systems.

Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians overhaul, repair and service equipment such as graders, loaders, shovels, tractors, trucks, forklifts, drills, and wheeled and tracked vehicles. Working from manufacturers' specifications, they identify and repair problems in structural, mechanical, or hydraulic systems.  Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians also work on industrial and construction vehicles, such as mining trucks and bulldozers; on heavy equipment used in construction, forestry, materials handling, landscaping, and land clearing; as well as on buses and large trucks.

Diesel Engine Mechanics install, repair, and maintain all internal combustion diesel engines and components as used in transport, construction, and marine industries.

Transport Trailer Technicians maintain, rebuild, overhaul, recondition and perform diagnostic troubleshooting and repair of commercial truck trailers. 

There is a reading week in this program typically at the end of February and the (30) hours are not included in the total hours as they are Non-Contact.

Career Prospects

Truck and Transport/Heavy Duty /Transport Trailer/Diesel Engine service technician, sales or parts, parts or sales manager, business or dealership owner, or college instructor.

Details

Location: Northern Lights College: South Peace Campus - Dawson Creek and Fort St. John 

Length: Approx. 34 weeks, 970 hours 

Start: September

Fees: Current Fee Schedule

Admission Prerequisites

Math – one of the following:
BC Math 10 (minimum final grade of C+), or BC Math 11 or BC Math 12 (minimum final grade of C), or equivalent.
BC MATH 030 or higher, with a minimum final grade of C+, or equivalent.

English – one of the following:
BC Language Arts 10 Courses – 4 credits earned, minimum individual grade of C+, or equivalent.
BC Language Arts 11 Courses – 4 credits earned, minimum individual grade of C+, or equivalent.
BC Language Arts 12 Courses – 4 credits earned, minimum individual grade of C+, or equivalent.
ENGL 030 or higher, with a minimum final grade of C+, or equivalent.
IELTS score of 5.5 overall with no band less than 5.0 or equivalent English placement test and score.

OR

ESTR 037 (Intermediate-Level Essential Skills for Trades) with a minimum final grade of 67%.

OR

Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT):
• Reading Comprehension: 11.0 grade equivalent or higher
• Number Operations: 11.0 grade equivalent or higher
• Problem Solving: 11.0 grade equivalent or higher
• Mechanical Reasoning: 51/70 (6th Stanine) or higher
Based on the results of the assessment(s), applicants may be required to participate in an assessment interview to determine admissibility. Interview may be conducted via teleconference if necessary.

OR

Successful completion of the NLC POWER program.

Important Notes

  1. This program is not eligible for Canada Student Loans. 
  2. Students must provide safety equipment, including footwear having CSA safety-toe protection and CSA safety glasses with clear lenses.
  3. In partnership with School Districts 59, 60, 81 and 87.Industry Training Authority; the ITA has recognized this program as meeting Level 1 Technical Training requirements and 450 work-based training hours.
  4. For all students applying to the Dawson Creek Program: NLC’s South Peace campus is connected to the Dawson Creek High School - South Peace campus, the Criminal Records Review Act requires that all students over the age of 19 before classes begin must complete a Schedule Type B Criminal Record Check (CRC). Costs related to the CRC will be paid by the College; please contact the NLC Admissions Officer for more information
  5.  Students are required to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements as listed on the NLC website (www.nlc.bc.ca/Services/Information-Technology/minPC).
  6. The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Completion Guide (effective Sept 2022) approved by NLC’s Education Council. Download a PDF of the Program Completion Guide.

APPLY NOW for the Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation program.

Do you need more information?
Contact trades@nlc.bc.ca

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