Heavy vehicle repair technicians are as important to the trucking and busing industries as trucking and busing are to Alberta’s economy. These individuals perform the maintenance and repairs needed to keep commercial vehicles operating safely on the road.

Being a heavy-duty technician doesn’t necessarily require a commercial licence and the actual driving of vehicles. However, the skills of a driver and technician greatly complement each other. Individuals interested in the trucking and busing industries should consider this career path while training to get their commercial licence.

  • Seasonality

    Work in this sector is nonseasonal, although some shops will have busier periods depending on their customer base.

  • Method of Pay

    Hourly pay is the most common pay system for heavy vehicle repair technicians.

Equipment and Tasks

Heavy vehicle technicians may have to operate the vehicles they’re required to repair or maintain. If they have the right type of licence, they’ll likely have to take vehicles for test drives as part of the repair process.

Maintenance and repair tasks include basic duties like greasing and performing oil changes, but they can also include complex and specialized repair work. For example, a shop may send a technician to a special training school to learn the latest repair techniques for new engine types, and they may then require these individuals to provide training to the remaining technicians at the shop.

Some shops may specifically employ drivers to move and deliver equipment. These individuals may also be tasked with basic repairs and maintenance activities, and may be able to start an apprenticeship as a technician.

Lifestyle in the Industry

The benefits of being a heavy-duty technician include hourly pay and being close to home. In fact, it’s common for former drivers to learn the skills required to become technicians, so they can stay closer to home.

  • Work Shifts

    Shifts are generally during the day and around 8 to 10 hours in length, although some shops may have overtime and after-hours requirements.

  • Physical Demands

    This is a physically demanding career. Regular lifting, bending, and climbing are common requirements when working on commercial vehicles.

  • Work/Life Balance

    Unless away for training or a service call at a distant location, technicians are generally home every night and typically have weekends off.

  • Predictability

    Work schedules are predictable and technicians are often assigned a specific workload based on their skills and experience.

  • On-Call

    Some shops require technicians to be on-call on a rotating basis to service after-hours customers.

Getting Started

Unless specifically hired as a driver, a heavy-duty technician follows a predefined apprenticeship pathway with regular breaks for school. This requires being hired by a shop, where having a Class 1 licence can help individuals stand out from other potential apprentices. Once hired, the shop will orientate the person to their policies and procedures, and then start training them by having them assist a more experienced technician.

  • Mandatory
    Requirements

    Mandatory requirements include being the legal age for employment and the ability to perform the duties of a technician.

  • Preferred Skills &
    Previous Experience

    A Class 1 licence with driving experience makes someone a more attractive hire for this sector. Being open to asking questions, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work in a team environment are all assets for employers.

Red Flags

Repair shops contain many hazards, such as moving equipment and chemicals. Individuals interested in starting a career in this sector should be on the lookout for these potential red flags (aka signs that an employer may not be operating safely):

  • Equipment and vehicles that are in poor condition.
  • Being pressured to become an owner-operator early into one’s career or any other signs of employee misclassification.
  • A lack of safety training by an employer, such as not being provided with an orientation and personal protective equipment.
  • Being asked to perform dangerous tasks with inadequate equipment, such as working under a vehicle without jack stands or performing hot work without a permit.
  • Not being provided with an orientation to new pieces of equipment, like specialized trailers for certain cargoes, or on new work procedures.
Quick Facts:
  • Heavy-duty technicians are essential for the transportation industry.
  • Heavy-duty technicians often can continue their careers through advanced training and may be able to enter leadership positions.
  • Work in this sector often allows a person to be home regularly and work fewer hours than other driving careers.
  • Shops contain many hazards, so individuals in this sector need to prioritize their safety so they minimize long-term injuries through exposure to heavy lifting and chemicals.

More Help

Are you interested in learning more about working safely in transportation? Check out our Resources page for insights from industry experts and organizations. We’ve taken great care to present information relevant to those interested in truck and bus driving careers, those already employed in trucking or busing, and employers navigating labour challenges.

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Contact Information

If you have questions or want to learn more about the content of this website, please contact the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA). AMTA employs experts in trucking and busing across Alberta. We would be happy to help you further.

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