How To Breakthrough And Get Started As A Heavy Duty Apprentice

Yeah it's hard to get in I had to build a kick ass resume with references for 6 years before I got in got in a short on road shop and now I am finally on off road 🤙

Good advice! Watching from Ontario Canada

thats for sure. I got in by just showing up and asking. if you're persistent and you show them that you want in and you're serious eventually someone will take you.

Awesome video! My first job in the trade was working for the same company as Cam, great teacher!

Agree with the Camster!!

The farming industry is a good way to get experience alone with landscaping companies

next Q&A should be based on starting out and surviving as a contractor running your own truck. you should get the owner of Wildcat Heavy Duty to do it he is pretty funny and a self made guy

Damn straight started as a shop hand, cleaning the shop, other peoples tools, wiping grease off the floor and i gradually up the ladder. 13 years later and almost triple ticketed 🤘🤘

I got my start working at a landfill as a labor than helping out the mechanics.

If you want a more 21st century approach to this same mentality I got my first job as a union apprentice (HVAC) just by messaging anyone with the title of foreman/manager/supervisor/human resources at the large contractors and asking them if I could send them my resume. Eventually my resume got put in front of the right person and I got a job.

Shoot here I am can’t even get on with a job to jump start with my career because “ I have no experience” . I am desperate to start my career . I completed my heavy and light line certificates in diesel technology. It seems relocating is the answer .

Wash bay kid here. Shops are all in for giving green guys like me a chance and I can say that I'm having an absolute blast. 50% washing, 50% doing everything else. Not bad at all.

I'm currently a red seal welder , how difficult is the transition to heavy duty? , what's the starting wage for 1st year?

I tried getting into and no one don't wanna hire me at all

One of the best industries to get into I went to school for diesel mechanics for 1 year in a accelerated program to get an associates degree and worked for a underground Mining contractor (RedPath) when I finished school I was making 140k a year just starting out as a luber and I proved to be a hard worker and they had me in the shop in no time. I’m 21 right now and if there anything I’ve learned is that you need to work hard in this industry and you need to make good connections with the higher ups because they can judge your future in this industry. Keep in mind this was a contractor and underground job and most places will not pay this much for just starting out.

Good work

Sir I am working in UAE as a heavy equipment electrician. How i can get job in Canada

I am currently in a heavy-duty pre-apprenticeship program at SAIT but I don't know where to start after the program, I really love to go offroad but there is a lot of confusion when you are searching for a job to start because of the requirements on the job listings like it must be 2nd or 3rd yr. apprentice, do you have any suggestions that can help me figure out how to get a job and start my career?

I’m gonna show up to your shop with a lunch pale and a thumb wrench cam. Old school mentality

Hahaha 😂😂😂 you are great bro. I am also heavy duty mechanic in Saudi Arabia

Is this work physically hard? (Question for anyone who cares to answer)

Dude your a legend

Stop saying kid... People in thier late 20s and early 30s want to start something new because thier younger self chose a stupid career.... jesus

I work at a cat dealer and my first spot was in the wash rack and from there to the lube tech. I’m currently in the shop you definitely have to start low if your green you’ll learn so much on your way up.

Am a Heavy Duty Mechanic from Ghana how can I apply for a work at your company

I’ve been an auto technician for 6 years looking to get into a heavy equipment mechanic do you guys think it’s a good move? (I’m 24y/o)

I started as a rental yard yard guy and moved up from there

I left my career as an airline aircraft technician for a career as a heavy equipment technician for a Caterpillar dealership. A little less money, but much higher quality of life

What if you're an experienced automotive tech of 10ish years?

could someone tell me what kind of jobs I should be looking at to gain experience to become a heavy equipment technician?

Been an auto tech for last 6-7 years, about to start my apprentice position at Caterpillar later this month 😬 nervous but excited

I came from the shipbuilding industry; started my journey as a helper. I did everything from cleaning the porta-potty, dumping piss buckets and delivering coffees/sandwiches to the welders/fabricators and marine mechanics at the yard. It was a nasty business. After three years of commitment my employer gave me an opportunity to assist the mechanics & welders. That’s where I learned to weld (mostly grinding off stuff or preparing/setting up for the actual welders to do their jobs), oil change, greasing and filter replacements. It was really fun. I wouldn’t mind working early in the morning or late at night. I always show up to work early and leave late. So, my boss ended up giving me the “KEY”. So, I was the guy who opened and closed the yard. It was a great honour. Always make sure the coffees are fresh and snacks are ready so mechanics can take them when they head out.

But in the end, I changed my career toward Heavy Equipment. I didn’t know where to start so my employer sponsored me to take the Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation and Level 1 program at VCC. He said, it’s better to have your basics completed than not knowing “Lefty Loosey Righty Tighty” or Diesel Equipment takes Diesel fuel rather than Gasoline. XD I saw a few guys putting gasoline into the diesel engine. After completing the school, I doubted myself that I would do well in this industry but all my former co-workers & employers said, “If you can clean someone else’s shit and piss for three years without complaining”, guarantee that you will do just fine. So, here I am. I am enjoying every single day at work. Sometimes I get to rebuild the engine of the D11 Dozer, other times I get to adjust hydraulic pressures on an excavator.

So, my advice to the newcomers are: Before knocking on the doors, go complete your foundations and make sure this is really what you want to do with your life.

I want to be an apprentice
How can I apply

I’m pretty green when it comes to Heavy Duty Mechanic, I see so many job posts about it and it’s in high demand in here canada. I want to be in this career but there seems to be very difficult find a company willing to take me in as an apprentice. What advice do you have on this?

How can I apply to be an apprentice

Many years ago I worked for an outfit and every Friday at quitting time a young guy would show up and ask the owner if there was a job opening. The owner was polite and said no, we'll this guy showed up every Friday at quitting time for about 6 weeks. Finally the boss said to him that he was tired of the Friday routine and told the young man to be early to work on Monday as if he was that persistent chances were he was going to be a good fit.

You don’t need the tools, but it would be pretty skookum if ya had them!!

Living in Burnaby B.C. Canada. Looking for a job career as heavy equipment operator. I want to ask one question. Does company provide a heavy equipment workers? or should buy or rent it from them?

Ironworker @ 45 an hour here. I'm willing to go poor for a few years, or as long as it takes to get into HDM. I have no experience with any kind of vehicles, not even just the basics, or anyone to guide me through the process. But I just submitted an application to get better grades and off to a college. Idk if Im doing it the right way, but if I trust the process I am sure I will meet people along the way!

I needed this guidance

In America we call that nepotism . And your best bet is to get into one of the union for heavy duty repair “hdr” local 12

I've worked on Tractors, ATVs, Mini Exs and Skidsteers at a private business for 2 years now as the Equipment Manager (got the job with 10 years experience using the equipment). I've had interviews at a bunch of Truck & Trailer shops now to start a Heavy Duty Technician ticket, they always tell me that they hired the Journeyman who applied instead.

Really want to work on Heavy Equipment as its 50% of my job already. Without the pay, or the hours going towards a ticket. Thanks for the advice, I will keep going.

The Marine Corps volentold me to be a heavy equipment mechanic and now I'm 7 years in and have tool debt

Started working on caterpillar equipment when I was 12 as an apprentice with my stepdad. Worked with him for about 6 years. When I turned 18 I joined the US Air Force. Spent the last 6 years in Aviation as an Aircraft Mechanic for various aircraft. I applied last week for a position at Warren Cat (Oklahoma Caterpillar). Feeling a bit intimidated by the Trade because I’ll be working out on my own, but also confident because I’ve been a mechanic for 12 years. Those first 6 years was just an apprentice that cleaned parts and was basically a tool runner. I still learned a lot. I think once I get going again in the Heavy Duty Trade again it’ll all come back.

currently a student in diesel mechanic in houston cant wait to work on heavy equipment when I graduate

I’m 6 years in, Field Service at a CAT dealer. I got my start in a tear down bay at a small powertrain shop. You have to be driven. Talk directly with the service manager or owner of the company. Be your own advocate. Never stop learning, read the manuals and watch videos weekly. Show up everyday on time and give it your best. Be honest about the mistakes you make (you will break shit) and don’t half ass anything. Integrity goes a long way with customers and management.

Do you guys need any apprentices?

Pls i need opportunity as an Apprentice in Heavy duty mech , i would appreciate any form of suggestion . thanks