• Understanding and applying various health and safety acts and regulations
• Reading and interpreting job specifications, blueprints, engineering drawings, and schematics
• Preparing preliminary cost/completion estimates based on drawings, codes, and procedures
• Performing bench work including assembly and disassembly, modification, cleaning, measuring, inspection, and testing of hydraulic and pneumatic equipment
• Inspecting and examining components including cylinders and pistons for rust, dirt, and wear
• Installing, testing, repairing, or rebuilding hydraulic and pneumatic equipment
• Mounting, installing, and replacing tires using a variety of tools and equipment
• Identifying and applying lubricants; installing lubrication equipment and components
• Maintaining, setting up and operating arc and oxyacetylene welding equipment to join, clamp, cut, fit, tack, weld, and braze metal components and parts
• Writing technical reports and maintaining repair records

• Secondary school diploma required; senior credits in math (geometry, trigonometry, logarithms), English, and drafting an asset
• Completion of an 8,000-hour apprenticeship, including a combination of on-the-job and in-school training

• Generally 40 hours/week in shifts; strong possibility of overtime and weekend work
• Working with heavy tools in oily, greasy environments
• Employers include heavy equipment firms, farming equipment companies, transport companies, and aerospace industry

Apprentice wage increases with skills and expertise. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $15.00-$22.00 per hour.