Heavy Mechanical Foundation Certificate

Gain the skills to work in the heavy mechanical trades, including potential employment as a heavy duty mechanic, commercial transport mechanic, diesel engine mechanic or transport trailer technician. Students will participate in a work placement, that will introduce students to real workplace environments, as well as provide perspectives to industry standards and expectations.

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Heavy Duty Mechanical students work on an engine in the shop

Campus

  • Kelowna
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Legend:
  • Full program offered
  • Partial program offered

Credential

Certificate

Delivery options

Full-Time

Tuition and fees

2023-24: $5,951.92

  • Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.

  • All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.

  • Detailed domestic tuition and fees information

Program details

If you have any questions about how a course or program is delivered, you can check the Trades website, email the Department Chair or email the Trades & Apprenticeship office:

Apprenticeship: apprenticeship@okanagan.bc.ca
Foundation and General Interest: trades@okanagan.bc.ca

This 38-week (1,140 hours) program provides learners with little or no previous experience in the Heavy Duty Mechanic, Commercial Transport Mechanic, Diesel Engine Mechanic, or Transport Trailer Technician trades with the skills necessary to seek employment in the industry. Instruction in theoretical and practical components of all four trades are included, giving students the opportunity to choose to enter any of the four trades as an apprentice. The program includes a two-week industry work placement. Graduates of this program will receive an Okanagan College program certificate, Level 1 Technical Training credit and 450 work-based training hours towards one of the four trades from SkilledTradesBC.

There are a number of physical activities involved in training for a skilled trade, please review the physical activities of the program and the recommended student characteristics as listed below. Okanagan College strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience disability related academic barriers (including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions), please contact Accessibility Services at your campus so that you can privately discuss options.

Physical activities of the trade:

  • Lift and carry tools, equipment, supplies and materials weighing up to approximately 20 Kgs.
  • Lift, carry, hold and operate hand, air and power tools from below grade to above shoulders
  • Stand on concrete and asphalt for extended periods of time
  • Bend, stoop, kneel and crawl to perform various tasks
  • Working indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions

Recommended student characteristics:

  • Good general health and respiratory condition
  • Capable of doing physical work
  • Physical strength and stamina compatible with the handling of heavy equipment and materials Ability to tolerate noise and vibration
  • Good manual dexterity
  • Satisfactory eyesight, line, form and depth perception
     

Textbooks and supplies required for students in the Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation program:

  • Bearings and Seals $9.49
  • Truck/Tractor Air Brake System Components A: $9.79
  • Truck/Tractor Air Brake System Components B: $9.29
  • CDX Medium/Heavy Duty Diesel Engines; Commercial Vehicle Systems; and Mobile Heavy Equipment with 1 year CDX access: $626.99
  • New BC Line A Book 1-6: $175.99
  • New BC Line C Books 1 & 2: $42.79
  • Vertical Mast Counterbalanced Forklift Participant Workbook: $24.29
  • Vertical Mast Counterbalanced Forklift Supplementary Handout: $8.79
  • HMET Foundation Worksheets: $7.29

5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change.


Other required supplies
  • PC or access to a PC that is Windows or MacOS (not Chromebook) for distance delivery
  • high visibility coveralls (available at OC Campus store $85.99 + tax)
  • steel toe, steel arch, CSA approved work boots
  • one binder
  • diary ( 200 page ) minimum dimensions 8 inches by 5 inches
  • pencil, pen, eraser, ruler
  • safety glasses with Z87 marked on the frame (prescription or non-prescription) *Regular glasses will not work unless Z87 is marked on the frame.
  • one set of mechanic gloves (can be found at any automotive parts supply store)

Notes:
Please consider purchasing your books before the start of class. There will be assignments given on the first day. Items under the heading of other supplies can be purchased after the first day.

Government-issued picture ID is required to write the provincial and national exams: driver's licence, photo ID or valid passport. Student ID cards are not acceptable.

Applicants who have not satisfied the Math admission requirement within the last seven years, and/or do not meet the English admission requirement, must write the TEA Math and/or English test. Both of the assessments are online, multiple-choice and timed. Applicants are allotted 1 hour to complete each section (2 hours for both). A practice assessment and study resources are offered to all applicants who register to write the TEA.  Calculators are not allowed while completing the Math section; applicants who are observed to use a calculator of any sort will receive a grade of zero.  Applicants who do not achieve the minimum passing requirement on their initial attempt, are offered a second attempt at no additional cost after a two-week study period. 

Please ensure you write the assessment, and any required re-writes, prior to the deadline for admissions requirements provided by the Registrar’s office. For more information or to register for the Trades Entrance Assessment, click here. Further questions can be directed to the Trades and Apprenticeship office at trades@okanagan.bc.ca.

Please note: Applicants who successfully completed the ABLE test at Okanagan College within the two years prior to application for admission shall have their results accepted as equivalent to the Trades Entrance Assessment. 

The textbook list above was current at the time it was posted and may be used for initial planning purposes. Please check back with the bookstore 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

Textbooks available online only at OC Campus Store. If you have any questions, call 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.

HeavyMechanicalFoundationCertificate

Admission requirements

  • B.C. secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes.
  • English 10 with minimum 50% or alternatives.
  • Math requirement:
    • A minimum of 50% in one of:
      • Pre-calculus Grade 11
      • Foundations of Mathematics Grade 11
      • Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics Grade 11
      • Workplace Mathematics 11
      • Principles of Mathematics 11
      • Applications of Mathematics 11
      • Essentials of Mathematics 11
      • Adult Basic Education MATH 011
      • Adult Basic Education MATH 084 and MATH 085
      • Adult Basic Education IALG 011
    • Or a minimum of 63% in the Trades Entrance Assessment (TEA) Mathematics test. Test scores are only good for two (2) years.
      • Applicants who have not satisfied the Math requirement within the last seven (7) years must write the TEA Mathematics test and must receive a minimum of 63%.

Program outline

HMFP 101A - Occupational Skills (Theory)
HMFP 101B - Occupational Skills (Practicum)
HMFP 102A - Brakes (Theory)
HMFP 102B - Brakes (Practicum)
HMFP 103A - Hydraulics (Theory)
HMFP 103B - Hydraulics (Practicum)
HMFP 104A - Electrical (Theory)
HMFP 104B - Electrical (Practicum)
HMFP 105A - Frames, Steering, Suspension and Tracks (Theory)
HMFP 105B - Frames, Steering, Suspension and Tracks (Practicum)
HMFP 106A - Trailer (Theory)
HMFP 106B - Trailers (Practicum)
HMFP 107A - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (Theory)
HMFP 107B - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (Practicum)
HMFP 108A - Engines and Supporting Systems (Theory)
HMFP 108B - Engines and Supporting Systems (Practicum)
HMFP 109A - Powertrains (Theory)
HMFP 109B - Powertrains (Practicum)
HMFP 110A - Structural Components & Accessories (Theory)
HMFP 110B - Structural Components & Accessories (Practicum)
HMFP 111 - Industry Work Placement
HMFP 112 - Final Exam
HMFP 111 Industry Work Placement students must receive a "Pass" grade. In all other courses minimum passing grade is 70%.
Additional information

View the official Calendar details and policies
Learn more about the department
View the Tuition and fees page

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