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Outdoor Power Equipment Technician - Turf 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 – Turf Equipment repair, service and maintain small gasoline and diesel powered equipment used by industry and homeowners such as aerators and golf carts.
In general, outdoor power equipment technicians – turf equipment (technicians – turf equipment) perform the following main duties:
In colder climates such as Alberta's, the work of technicians – turf equipment is seasonal. They are very busy doing diagnostic and repair work in the warmer months, and may encourage customers to have preventative maintenance work done in the winter. Because of the seasonal nature of the work, technicians – turf equipment must be skilled in other types of repair work (e.g., repairing snowmobiles) to remain employed year-round.
Technicians – turf equipment usually work indoors in shops. The work is noisy when engines are being tested. Ventilation systems reduce the risk involved in working near exhaust fumes.
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 – turf equipment need:
Technicians – turf 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 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 – Turf Equipment in Alberta, a person must:
Technicians – turf 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 – turf 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 – turf 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 – turf 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 – turf 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 - Turf 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 – Turf 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, power or recreation equipment must have at least 1,500 hours and 18 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a technician – turf 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 – turf 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 – turf 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.
