The Apprenticeship Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (HDET) Program is designed to train apprentices to diagnose, test, service and perform preventative maintenance on: hydraulic, air, and electric braking systems; trailer systems and components; electrical circuits, lighting and electronic control systems and hydraulic systems. Due to the nature of work of the HDET, it is imperative that safety be taught on a continuous basis throughout this program.

This program outline is based on the NWT/Alberta Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Apprenticeship Course Outline (2007) issued by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

The goal of apprenticeship training is to develop competent journeypersons through a combination of on-the-job and technical training.

The HDET Program at Aurora College provides the first of four levels of technical training.

Program applicants are assessed by the GNWT. Service is accessed through a local career service centre. Anyone wishing to become a HDET apprentice must:

Participants will be admitted to this program based on the eligibility requirements set by the GNWT.

The objectives of this level are to enable graduates to carry out the tasks required of a level 2 apprentice in a responsible, competent, and safe manner. These tasks include:

1. Diagnosing, service-testing and performing preventative maintenance on hydraulic, air and electronic braking systems; trailer systems and components; electrical circuits, lighting and electronic control systems; and hydraulic systems.
2. Using and maintaining hand and power tools in order to carry out repairs.
3. Reading and understanding work orders, preparing estimates, and interpreting technical manuals.
4. Writing service reports, diagnosing the cause and cost of failures, and keeping service analysis records.
5. Performing assigned tasks in accordance with safety, quality and production standards required by government and industry.

Participants must achieve a mark of 65% in all courses, including shop.

Theoretical and practical assignments and written examinations are used for evaluation purposes. Course marks are weighted, based on a formula provided by the GNWT, to obtain a final level mark.

A participant who fails Aurora College technical training must repeat the training regardless of the result obtained on the level examinations administered by the GNWT.

"An apprentice who is absent from a trade instruction course in which he or she is enrolled for more than 5% of the total time of the course may be terminated from that course by the supervisor and be subsequently scheduled to repeat the entire course."
Section 20(1) of the Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Regulations

Participants must achieve a mark of 70% in the GNWT-administered level examination in order to progress to the next level of technical training.

Level 1 graduates receive a Certificate of Status card, Level 2, issued by the GNWT.

Note: Participants who successfully complete level I may also be issued a Transport Trailer Mechanic Certificate of Qualification by the GNWT.

Aurora College provides technical training for the first of four levels that comprise HDET apprenticeship. Each level of technical training is 240 hours (eight weeks).

Participants are exposed to the program concepts through lectures, discussions and demonstrations, and independent and group study, and then given opportunities for skill development through a series of practical applications.