Work on machines that do the heavy work! Heavy Mechanical vehicles and equipment are expensive and down time is even more expensive. Skilled mechanics are in constant demand to keep these essential working vehicles in top running order for the construction, transportation, transit, mining, and forest industries.
Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation
Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, October 20-24.
What you will learn
From cities to rural locations and indoor shops to outdoor fields, graduates find work with equipment dealers and manufacturers, in transit repair facilities, and in commercial truck and trailer repair shops in a variety of industries, such as forestry, mining, marine, mobile crane, and construction
The program prepares students for entry level positions as apprentices into the four Heavy Mechanical trades:
- Diesel Engine Mechanic (DEM)
- Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (HDET)
- Truck and Transport Mechanic (TTM)
- Transport Trailer Technician (TTT)
Areas of study are:
- Essential workplace skills (hand tools, power tools, shop equipment, cutting and welding procedures, lifting and supporting loads).
- Workplace safety in accordance with occupational health and safety standards. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS).
- Service and repair brake systems (hydraulic and air)
- Service hydraulic systems
- Service and diagnose electrical systems and components
- Service, diagnose, and repair frames, steering and suspensions
- Service, diagnose, and repair trailer landing gear, accessories, systems and components
- Diagnose and repair heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and components
- Service engine supporting systems
- To remove and install engine and drive train components
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
This full-time program is 36 weeks in length. Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete the program.
Instructional activities throughout the program include hands-on practice in school and the workplace, student-led group discussions and presentations, interactive lectures, work report projects, case studies, reflective journaling, and role-play.
Red Seal Essential Skills for Success are integrated throughout the program.
The program is delivered in the classroom, VCC shop, online, and in the workplace.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- English 10 or equivalent
- Workplace Math 10 or equivalent
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
Program Considerations
- Program tasks require extended periods of standing/walking on concrete floors, as well as frequent movement alternating between standing, bending, kneeling and reaching.
- Learning environment involves work performed in confined spaces while reaching above shoulders.
- Program tasks require frequent lifting and carrying of heavy objects.
- Program activities involve continuous, repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements.
- Program tasks require precise hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Activities may include detailed assembly of parts.
- Program tasks require differentiating colors for reading hydraulic diagrams and wiring.
- Learning environment includes regular exposure to: loud machinery and tools; automotive chemicals, including fuels, oils, coolants, solvents, and other substances; and fumes, dust, and mechanical processes.
- Learning environment includes indoor and outdoor work in various conditions.
Courses *
This program must be completed within two years.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HMEC 1000 | Operational Skills | 6 |
| HMEC 1005 | Heavy Equipment Operation | 2 |
| HMEC 1010 | Shop Resources | 1 |
| HMEC 1015 | Undercarriage and Final Drives | 2 |
| HMEC 1020 | Frames, Suspension and Steering | 3 |
| HMEC 1025 | Heavy Equipment Hydraulics | 3 |
| HMEC 1030 | Electrical, Electronics and EV | 6 |
| HMEC 1035 | Truck and Heavy Equipment Brakes | 3 |
| HMEC 1040 | Trailers, Body Structure and HVAC | 2 |
| HMEC 1045 | Heavy Equipment Powertrain | 7 |
| HMEC 1050 | Heavy Mechanical Exam and Employment Preparation | 1 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 3696 | |
| Student union | 213 | |
| College initiative | 107 | |
| Materials | 362 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 148 | |
| Laundry | 426 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 95 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 285 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 423 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
Apply now
Adult applicants:
- Apply on EducationPlanner BC
Youth applications (high school students in grade 10 and 11):
- Applicants do not apply to VCC directly. Interested students, teachers and counsellors should contact the Career Program Coordinator or Administrator for their school district. The Program Coordinator and applicant complete the Youth in Trades Application and return to youthintrades@vcc.ca.
- See the SkilledTradesBC Youth in Trades program website for details.
NOTE: Adults and youth may be in classes together.
Indigenous applicants
- VCC offers priority registration and reserved seating for qualified Indigenous applicants to the Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation program. For more information on priority registration, support with pre-admission program planning, band funding, and help gathering education records and transcripts, please contact an Indigenous Engagement Advisor
Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, October 20-24.
† B.C. 2025 Labour Market Outlook