HEAVY Equipment operator
Apprenticeship
As a Heavy Equipment Operator, you’ll be responsible for safely operating multiple pieces of equipment in the heavy construction industry. This equipment is used in a variety of fields, including earth moving, road building, and mining. Technical training is conducted at our 40-acre site in Maple Ridge. We prepare apprentices to meet the rigorous demands of the industry.
We offer two courses for the Heavy Equipment Operator apprenticeship. Our standard program is a 12-week course, which is made up of the three courses put together: Road Building Foundation, Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO), and Specialized Equipment. If available, applicants that have been working in the industry and have construction experience, may be selected for a 9-week course, which would exempt them from taking the Foundation course. Our program is accredited with the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB), and IUOETA is a SkilledTradesBC-designated trainer.
More Information
The Heavy Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program at the IUOE Local 115 Training Association (IUOETA) offers a comprehensive blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Our curriculum is aligned with SkilledTradesBC standards to complete your Certificate of Qualification, ensuring that graduates are fully equipped to pursue a career as a certified Heavy Equipment Operator.
The program covers a range of topics and practical training designed to prepare students for operating various types of machinery used in construction, mining, and other industries. This foundation level introduces you to safely operate a variety of pieces of equipment, including excavator, loader, articulating haul truck, dozer, and backhoe.
Depending on whether it’s the 9-week program or the 12-week program, it will be made up of two or three consecutive courses: Road Building Foundation, Heavy Equipment Operator, and Specialized Equipment. These courses will cover the fundamental basics, machine functions, operational safety, and basic equipment maintenance.
- Road Building and Heavy Construction Foundation Course (4 weeks)
- Heavy Equipment Operator Course (4 weeks)
- Specialized Equipment Course (4 or 5 weeks)
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Employability Skills and Professional Practices
- Worksite Health and Safety
- Job Control and Engineering Basics
- Environmental Awareness, Protection, and Enhancement
- Pre-Operational Inspections and Maintenance
- Operation of Articulating Haul Truck, Loader, Excavator, Backhoe, and Dozer
Hands-On Experience
Through the apprenticeship, apprentices are required to accumulate and record on-the-job seat-time and experience, working under the supervision of certified journeypersons. It is important to keep record of your hands-on experience and operating hours in order to be signed off to be able to attain your Red Seal Endorsement on that type of machinery. This is critical for you to reach journeyperson status.
Pre-requisites:
- A valid Class 3 driver’s licence with Air Brake Endorsement (Class 1 is recommended; most employers require a Class 1 licence)
- A Grade 12 education, as recommended by SkilledTradesBC (The essential requirement is that applicants have the skills and knowledge to succeed in the industry.)
- A minimum score of 70% on our Online Trades Assessment
- An IUOETA Training and Apprenticeship application form
- An updated and current resume
- A copy of your current driver’s abstract from ICBC
English Language competency for individuals that don’t have a GED or Grade 12 equivalency from Canada, may be required.
- Applicants must submit:
- An IUOETA Training and Apprenticeship application form
- A current resume
- A current driver’s abstract from ICBC
- Applicants will be registered for the Online Trades Assessment by the IUOETA.
- Applicants will receive a link from SkillPlan for the Online Trades Assessment. This will include their log-in credentials, practice materials, and the Online Trades Assessment.
- Applicants must complete the Online Trades Assessment and achieve 70% or higher.
- The Online Trades Assessment will be marked, and applicants will receive their final results.
- If you are successful, your application, along with your Online Trades Assessment results, will be sent to a Training Coordinator for final evaluation. They will contact you for an interview. If you are unsuccessful, a member of the IUOETA will contact you about potential options.
For applicants that are unsuccessful, we will keep your application on file for one year. After that time, if you did not receive an offer, you will need to reapply.
- You will receive a link from SkillPlan that will include your log-in credentials, practice materials, and the Trades Assessment.
- You will have access to the user guide, practice materials, practice assessments, and the final trades assessment.
- The assessment must be completed on a laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and microphone that meets the minimum system requirements.
- You will have two weeks to complete the Online Trades Assessment exam. This two-week period starts from the date you first log into your account.
- Wait for your results. You will receive an email with your results, indicating whether you passed of failed.
Road Building and Heavy Construction Program
Monday to Friday, at Maple Ridge training site (12 weeks)
Course dates: To be announced
HEO and Specialized Equipment Program
Monday to Friday, at Maple Ridge training site (9 weeks)
Course dates: To be announced
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MEMBER |
NON-MEMBER |
|---|---|
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Road Building and |
Road Building and |
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HEO and Specialized |
HEO and Specialized |
*Not including the cost of books, registration, and additional materials.
Prices subject to change.
FAQs
Upon completing technical training, you will receive a course completion certificate.
To receive a BC Certificate of Qualification (CofQ) with Equipment Endorsement from SkilledTradesBC, apprentices must pass or be exempted from the Road Building Foundation, pass the Heavy Equipment Operator course, as well as pass the Certificate of Qualification Exam. In addition to this formal training and written examination, apprentices must meet the required seat-time hours for the desired piece or pieces of machinery, they are wanting the endorsement for.
No, the Training Coordinator works with our signatory companies to find what positions are needed with the company. The Training Coordinator will attempt to place people with equipment that gives them the best chance to succeed, but this does not always mean there will be available seat-time.
It depends on your experience and knowledge of the industry and equipment. We find it is always best to start outside of the machines to watch and gain valuable experience learning and working around them, so you know what to watch for and what to do once you get into the seat.
Although previous experience is an asset, it is not required to apply for the training program.
No, the technical training courses are full time. The training schedule cannot be customized or altered.
The apprenticeship is structured based on an individual’s competency. Certification times vary, depending on which type of machines you are running, the seat-time opportunities, and where you are placed with machinery and positions available.
Upon completion of technical training, you will be eligible to book into our Union Job Board. However, to stay on the board, it is your responsibility to check in with your Training Coordinator. There is no guarantee of dispatch or job placements.
No. You do not need to be a Local 115 member to be able to apply for or take our training courses.
If you complete one of our training courses, to become a Local 115 member you must be dispatched to one of our Local 115 union companies and complete three months of work. If you pass your three months of permit, you can be eligible to become a member with IUOE Local 115.
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APPRENTICESHIPS
Additionally, IUOE Local 115 Training Association offers apprenticeships in the following:
- Automotive service technician
- Boom truck operator
- Track and transport mechanic
- Diesel engine mechanic
- Forklift mechanic
- Heavy duty equipment technician
- Metal fabricator
- Millwright
- Plant operator
- Parts person
- Tower crane operator
- Welder