Diesel Equipment Technician

• One-year certificate
• Fall start
• High industry demand

Program Description

This 30-week program has been designed by industry representatives to meet the specific needs of today’s large and diverse heavy equipment industry. After completing the program, you will be a highly trained entry-level tradesperson ready to enter the workforce as a Heavy Equipment Technician apprentice. As a graduate of the program you may be credited with up to 600 hours worth of work experience towards your apprenticeship, as well as the opportunity to write your first and second period apprenticeship exams.

Your Career

This program will prepare you for a mechanical repair career in light and heavy construction, oil field support, forestry, mining, marine, on-highway transportation trucks, public utilities, gas compression, agriculture or any other industry that relies on heavy equipment or diesel engines. Career progression may include shop foreman, service manager, manufacturer district service representative, technical training instructor, factory quality control inspector, regional service manager or fleet maintenance manager.

Admission Requirements

A minimum of 70 Alberta High School credits (Grade 11) with at least 50% in the following courses or equivalents:

• Pure Math 20 or Applied Math 20 or Math 20-1 or Math 20-2 or Math 20-3, AND, 
• Grade 11 English, AND, 
• One Grade 11 Science
• All applicants to SAIT Polytechnic must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada. For more information, please see English Proficiency.
• View High School Course Equivalencies Admission Equivalencies by Province.

Selection

Application and Selection Timelines

It is important to apply early to be included in the selection process.  To be included in selection, applications along with all supporting documents must be submitted.

Selection is done on a continuous basis.  Selection will begin in January and continue until the program is full. All applications received after the program has been filled will be placed on a waitlist.

Students accepted for each intake

The Diesel Equipment Technician has one intake per year of 30 students.

Selection Criteria

Qualified applicants are selected based on the ranked composite score of the following tests:

• Mechanical Reasoning
• English Comprehension
• Mathematics

Selection Process

Applicants, who meet the minimum admission requirements by the first business day of January will be invited to participate in the first round of selection. Applications are reviewed monthly and selection is done on a continuous basis.

Applicants will be required to write an aptitude test and ranked according to the following criteria:

• Mechanical Reasoning 34%
• English Comprehension 33%
• Math 33%

Applicants with a score of 65 or above will be immediately offered a seat in the program. If the score is below 65, the applicant will remain in selection until May 31.

Starting May 31, the remaining qualified applicants who scored less than 65 will be considered for positions in the program based on highest composite score.  All other qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist and contacted if a seat becomes available.

For applicants who live outside a 300 kilometre radius of Calgary and cannot attend a testing session without hardship, alternative arrangements for testing will be considered. 

Student Success

Students with higher secondary or post-secondary marks usually experience greater success in SAIT programs.

Students who have taken automotive mechanics in high school experience greater success in the Diesel Equipment Technician program. 

Progression

Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Credentials

After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT certificate as a Diesel Equipment Technician.

Accreditation

Students achieving a PGPA and/or CGPA of 2.0 will be allowed to challenge the Heavy Equipment Technician 1st and 2nd year technical exams from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. A Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) form and a fee will be required by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Successful students may also be granted up to 600 hours of work credit towards their apprenticeship hours.

Tuition And Fees (Subject To Change)

• Please refer to the Tuition and Fee Table.
• International Students, please refer to International Student Fees.
• For student funding, please refer Financial Assistance.

Books And Supplies (Subject To Change)

• Books cost approximately $650.
• Tool costs range from $750 to $3,000.

Program Outline

To find the course description for a course shown below, please go to our Course Finder and enter the course acronym and numbers (i.e., DMST-202) into the Quick Search by Course Code field.

For More Information

Information: 403.284.8471
Email: transportation.info@sait.ca
Website: School of Transportation
Academic Chair: Jim Szautner

Transfer with Certificate to...

Through SAIT Polytechnic transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this SAIT program may be eligible for credit at the following institution:

• SAIT Polytechnic

Transfer options may be available at post-secondary institutions where credits from SAIT programs could be evaluated on an individual basis. Interested students should contact the post-secondary educational institute of their choice for more information.

To learn more, visit Transfer Options.

Related Links (Internal):

• Student-for-a-Day
• Academic Calendar
• Academic Upgrading
• International Students
• Mature Students
• Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition