
Delivery options
On-Campus Day* - Your course activity is done in-person Monday - Friday, before 6 PM.
On-Campus Evening/Weekend - Your course activity is done in person on weekdays from 6 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
Online Day* - Your course activity is done online Monday - Friday, before 6 PM.
Online Evening/Weekend - Your course activity is done online on weekdays from 6 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
Online Flexible Delivery - Your course activity is not scheduled and therefore you can determine when to do the coursework.
Blended Delivery - Both On-Campus and Online - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on-campus and some will be done online.
* There may be circumstances that require some day delivery of classes to be scheduled into the evenings.
Please note due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these delivery options may shift from term to term. Please consult your program for details on delivery options.
Program length
Estimated program length is based on the recommended course load per semester as outlined in the Courses tab.
Actual program length will vary based on the number of courses/credits successfully completed per semester.
International Students
This program meets the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program for international students as long as the student is enrolled in the on-campus delivery mode or completes more than 50% of the courses on campus (for the blended option).
International students attending all classes online will NOT be eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. International students are responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.
International Students
This program is available to international students, however, program availability may be limited. This program does not meet the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program.
Program menu
Overview
Learn to repair, overhaul and maintain agricultural equipment including tractors, tillage equipment, seeding equipment and harvesting equipment.
If you enjoy precise work, problem-solving and working with your hands, you'll enjoy a career as an agricultural equipment technician. SAIT offers apprenticeship education for periods 2 and 4.
You may specialize in service and repair of fuel injection pumps and injectors, engine overhaul, hydraulic systems, power shift transmissions or specific types of equipment (combines, forage harvesters, tractors, etc.).
In general, you will:
- service and repair engines, transmissions, hydraulic systems and the electrical and electronic systems of agricultural equipment
- pinpoint problems by discussing equipment operation with owners, visually checking and listening to machinery in operation and using testing equipment
- take defective units apart and repair or replace broken, worn-out or faulty parts, reassemble, adjust, lubricate and test repaired units
- assemble and adjust new agricultural equipment
- learn and apply precision farm technologies such as automated steering systems
Agricultural equipment technicians must keep up-to-date with new developments in the agricultural equipment field.
This is a non-compulsory trade – individuals can work in the trade without certification if the employer deems the individual to have the skills of a journeyperson. However, individuals who are working in the trade and learning the trade must become a registered apprentice.
Is this the right fit for me?
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy working with their hands and who are capable of diagnosing a variety of complex mechanical, hydraulic and electrical problems. To be successful in the trade, agricultural equipment technicians need:
- mechanical ability and good eye-hand coordination
- the strength required to lift heavy machine parts
- the ability to read and understand technical information
- the ability to work independently with little supervision
- flexibility in working extra hours when required
- some experience in the agricultural industry
- math, communication and computer skills
- effective interpersonal skills in meeting the challenges of the workplace
- a valid driver's license
- a commitment to safe work habits
Credentials
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and apprenticeship education periods, graduates will be awarded journeyperson status by Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Agricultural Equipment Technician is a Red Seal Endorsed trade – a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Career opportunities
Start your career by finding an employer who is willing to indenture you as an apprentice. Most agricultural equipment technicians are employed by retail agricultural equipment dealerships. Where a number of technicians are employed by one business, the opportunity exists for advancement to supervisory positions.After becoming a journeyperson, you may advance to supervisory positions, specialize in a type of repair or take on new apprentices. You can move into sales positions or become manufacturers' service representatives. Individuals may move into management positions with the company or purchase an agricultural equipment dealership. Some journeypersons go on to run their own businesses – we can help you build your business with our Blue Seal business certificate.
Tuition and fees per year*
- Period 2: $1,263
- Period 4: $1,263
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change
Requirements
Entrance requirements for all apprenticeship programs are set by Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
When do classes start?
Registration for the 2022/23 academic year opens May 17, 2022.
Period | Start date | End date |
---|---|---|
2 or 4 | Aug. 29, 2022 | Oct. 21, 2022 |
2 or 4 | Oct. 24, 2022 | Dec. 16, 2022 |
2 or 4 | Jan. 3, 2023 | Feb. 24, 2023 |
2 or 4 | Feb. 27, 2023 | April 21, 2023 |
2 | May 1, 2023 | June 23, 2023 |
Admission and completion
To enter an apprenticeship, you must have the educational qualifications required or recommended education for the trade to which you apply.
Entrance Requirements are monitored and set by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Minimum requirements
Successful completion of the following courses:
- English 20-2
- Math 20-3
- Science 10
OR
A pass mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests
OR
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Entrance Exam
Recommended path
Apprentices with an Alberta High School Diploma that includes the following courses:
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Physics 30 OR Chemistry 30 OR Science 30
- Related career and technology studies (CTS) courses
How to register
Registration for apprenticeship education is run through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Learn how you can register for your next intake.
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Services
1.800.248.4823
tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Suite 200 Willow Park Centre
10325 Bonaventure DR. SE
Calgary, AB
After you register
Email is the primary source of communication after you have registered for your intake. Please ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Training
The term of apprenticeship for an agricultural equipment technician is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of apprenticeship education each year. SAIT only provides apprenticeship education for periods 2 and 4.
apprenticeship education performance
To be successful in apprenticeship education, an apprentice must pass each section of the course and pass the AIT exam. The passing grade for each section in the course is a 65%. A passing mark on each provincial exam Exam and the Interprovincial Qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
Costs 2022/23
Tuition and fees*
Period | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
4 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
SAIT fees
Campus recreation fee: $49
Lab and material fee: $82
Student support fee: $50
Student technology fee: $50
Books and supplies*
- Books or modules along with other items for class average out to $600 per period.
- It is recommended that you do not purchase books or modules ahead of time as they might be outdated by the time you attend classes and they cannot be returned to the bookstore.
- Personal Protective Equipment will be required for the program, which may be an additional cost to apprentices.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.