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Outdoor Power Equipment Technician - Power Equipment |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 - 2009
There have been no changes to this trade in the year of 2009.
Outdoor Power Equipment Technicians – Power Equipment repair, service and maintain small gasoline and diesel powered equipment such as generators, mowers, and chain saws.
In general, Outdoor Power Equipment Technicians – Power Equipment (technicians – power equipment) perform the following main duties:
Technicians – power equipment may work in the comfort of a fully equipped service centre or they may have to travel to make service calls. Hours of work vary from regular hours to long and hectic hours during busy seasons.
The work is often dirty and greasy, and there is some risk of injury from hot engines and sharp edges.
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy achieving expertise with precise work, problem solving and working with their hands.
To be successful in the trade, technicians - power equipment need:
Technicians – power equipment are employed by a variety of employers in both the private and public sectors, in a number of different industries, based on specialized equipment. Some employers may include equipment distributors, retailers, rental companies, construction companies, landscaping maintenance and builders, golf courses, parks and recreation, forestry companies and original equipment manufacturers.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $18 to $24 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced journeymen may advance to supervisor or service manager positions and may be self-employed or start their own business.
To work as a Technician – Power Equipment in Alberta, a person must:
Technicians – power equipment learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A technician – power equipment who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Technicians – power equipment who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a technician – power equipment is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1000 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training in each of the first 3 years, and 6 weeks of technical training in the fourth year.
To learn the skills required of a technician – power equipment in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- select an educational institution that offers training for Outdoor Power Equipment Technician - Power Equipment apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
The Technician – Power Equipment trade does not participate in the Interprovincial Standards (Red Seal) Program.
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
- a certified technician – marine, recreation or turf equipment must have at least 1,500 hours and 18 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a technician – power equipment
- a certified motorcycle mechanic, agricultural equipment technician, heavy equipment technician, heavy equipment technician – truck and transport mechanic, heavy equipment technician – heavy duty equipment mechanic (off road), millwright, automotive service technician, elevator constructor, machinist, or transport refrigeration mechanic must have at least 3,750 hours and 45 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a technician – power equipment
- a journeyman certified in other trades must have at least 5,200 hours and 63 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a technician – power equipment
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
