Apr 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Calendar 
    
2023-2024 Academic Calendar [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Learn More About Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation Certificate


The entry-level curriculum is a base of knowledge that is common in the four heavy mechanical trades listed thus allowing you to pursue a career in either of the four heavy mechancial trades.

You will gain skills to inspect and determine the extent of service required to repair heavy trucks, commercial trucks, buses, diesel engines, transport trailers, cranes, graders, drills, bulldozers and other heavy equipment for proper performance.

You will learn essential skills in shop safety, work habits and caring for tools and equipment. Modules cover rigging, loading blocking and moving loads; using hoses, fasteners and fittings; welding; winches and working attachments; brakes; hydraulics; fuel systems; electrical systems; and internal combustion theory, to name a few.

You will also become familiar with record keeping, writing service reports and using trade-specific software. 

On successful completion of this program and upon entering into an apprenticeship, you will be eligible to receive technical training credit for Level 1 and 450 hours of work-based credit toward your apprenticeship hours requirement.

To ensure curriculum remains current and relevant for new employees, NIC is advised by an active, local industry advisory committee.

Career Opportunities

After completing the Heavy Mechanical Foundation program, you will be prepared to seek a career and apprenticeship in the heavy mechanical trades.

Prospective employers include heavy duty equipment dealers; truck and bus dealerships; private truck, bus or equipment repair shops; logging; mining; oil and gas; and construction companies.

To Be Successful

  • You are encouraged to contact the instructor for an in-person or telephone interview. The purpose of the interview is to provide advice, answer questions about the program and discuss various career fields and choices.
  • Many employers require Grade 12 completion as an employment standard. If you do not meet this requirement we encourage you to contact an educational advisor to discuss upgrading or Grade 12 completion options offered at NIC. In addition to the stated prerequisites secondary school equivalent courses in science, physics, and drafting are considered an asset.
  • The most important key to success is the desire to become a quality trades person. The traditional values of hard work, reliability, positive attitude and the desire to do quality work are essential to succeed in the program.
  • Trades programs require good hand-eye coordination, good binocular vision, strong abilities in spatial and mechanical reasoning along with good math and communication skills.
  • There is also an expectation of physical activities such as lifting, working on ladders and scaffolding or in confined spaces and under various weather conditions.
  • You will be required to stay focused for prolonged periods.

Supply List

Students are required to acquire the following supplies:

Personal Protection Equipment

  • Safety Glasses
  • Coveralls
  • Steel Toed Boots - CSA approved
  • Ear Protection

Classroom Supplies

  • Padlock or Combination Lock
  • 3 ring binder
  • Loose leaf paper and graph paper
  • Pen/ pencil/ hi-liter
  • Scientific Calculator (optional)

In addition, NIC is pleased to make tools available to you in exchange for a $200 refundable tool deposit, which is not included in your tuition. It will be returned at the end of the term if all tools and tags are returned in an acceptable condition. Tools will not be distributed without proof of payment from the Registration office.