As a heavy duty equipment mechanic, you repair, troubleshoot, adjust, overhaul and maintain mobile heavy duty equipment for energy-related construction and operations activities. It has been said that the amount of information a heavy duty equipment mechanic has to retain to inspect, diagnose and fix equipment resembles that of a doctor. Your brain is one of your most important tools as troubleshooting is a critical part of your day. As we live in an electronic world, you must also be comfortable with electronics and computers. You often diagnose equipment problems by plugging your laptop into the electronic control module (ECM) of a machine. You’ll be responsible to find the problem and resolve it. You also enjoy working with big mechanical systems, components and parts. For example, excavator shovels can wear out from use and require ongoing maintenance and repair.
Heavy duty equipment mechanics repair, troubleshoot, adjust, overhaul and maintain mobile heavy duty equipment for oil and gas-related construction and operations activities. They inspect equipment and machines to diagnose defects. They do preventative maintenance on industrial and construction vehicles such as bulldozers, graders and excavators. They might be required to have basic welding or soldering skills to make mechanical or electrical repairs. While heavy duty equipment mechanics mostly work on mobile equipment, they could also work on diesel motors, hydraulics, etc. that are found in plants and rigs. Working with a combination of heavy machinery, electronics and computers is expected as almost all highway or off-highway equipment have multiple electrical control systems.
I'm interested in a career in
- Sub-sector Oil and gas services, Oil sands
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary $48,000 to $87,000
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Growing
In this occupation activities may include:
- Performing a full safety review analysis of the vehicle in order to detect potential problems
- Testing mechanical products and equipment after their repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers’ specifications
- Repairing and replacing damaged or worn parts
- Cleaning, lubricating and performing other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles
- Adjusting, maintaining and repairing or replacing subassemblies, such as transmissions and crawler heads, using hand tools, jacks and cranes
- Welding or soldering broken parts and structural members using electric or gas welders and soldering tools
Education
- A high school diploma (or equivalent) is typically required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
- H2S Alive®
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Licensing
- Completion of a three- to five-year apprenticeship program is required to become a certified tradesperson. Another route into apprenticeship training is a pre-apprenticeship foundation program. In some provinces, both of these routes can begin in high school.
- The Red Seal endorsement is the interprovincial standard of excellence, and is available to tradespersons upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Work away from home/in camps
Good communication skills are just as critical as your technical skills.
- Mechanical
- Computers and electronics
- Maintaining equipment
- Repairing machines and systems
- Active listening
- Systems analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Complex problem solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Sub-sector Construction
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Growing
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
The skills gained as a heavy duty equipment mechanic in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the construction project life cycle phase of the industrial construction and maintenance sector.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Performing a full safety review analysis of the vehicle in order to detect potential problems
- Testing mechanical products and equipment after their repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers’ specifications
- Repairing and replacing damaged or worn parts
- Cleaning, lubricating and performing other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles
- Adjusting, maintaining and repairing or replacing subassemblies, such as transmissions and crawler heads, using hand tools, jacks and cranes
- Welding or soldering broken parts and structural members using electric or gas welders and soldering tools
Education
- A high school diploma (or equivalent) is typically required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
- H2S Alive®
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Licensing
- Completion of a three- to five-year apprenticeship program is required to become a certified tradesperson. Another route into apprenticeship training is a pre-apprenticeship foundation program. In some provinces, both of these routes can begin in high school.
- The Red Seal endorsement is the interprovincial standard of excellence, and is available to tradespersons upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to industrial construction and maintenance include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (construction)
- Travel required (construction)
- Work away from home/in camps (construction)
- Primarily outdoor work (construction)
- Physical work (construction)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (construction)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (construction)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (construction)
- Safety-sensitive environment (construction)
- Transition to a similar level (construction)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Work away from home/in camps
Good communication skills are just as critical as your technical skills.
- Mechanical
- Computers and electronics
- Maintaining equipment
- Repairing machines and systems
- Active listening
- Systems analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Complex problem solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Growing
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
The skills gained as a heavy duty equipment mechanic in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the petrochemicals and refining sector.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Performing a full safety review analysis of the vehicle in order to detect potential problems
- Testing mechanical products and equipment after their repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers’ specifications
- Repairing and replacing damaged or worn parts
- Cleaning, lubricating and performing other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles
- Adjusting, maintaining and repairing or replacing subassemblies, such as transmissions and crawler heads, using hand tools, jacks and cranes
- Welding or soldering broken parts and structural members using electric or gas welders and soldering tools
Education
- A high school diploma (or equivalent) is typically required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
- H2S Alive®
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Licensing
- Completion of a three- to five-year apprenticeship program is required to become a certified tradesperson. Another route into apprenticeship training is a pre-apprenticeship foundation program. In some provinces, both of these routes can begin in high school.
- The Red Seal endorsement is the interprovincial standard of excellence, and is available to tradespersons upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to petrochemicals and refining include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Travel required
- Work away from home/in camps
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Less formal organizational structure
- Temporary/project-to-project work
- Freelance/contract opportunities
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Work away from home/in camps
Good communication skills are just as critical as your technical skills.
- Mechanical
- Computers and electronics
- Maintaining equipment
- Repairing machines and systems
- Active listening
- Systems analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Complex problem solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
