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Take your agricultural and mechanical skills to the next level with specialized courses and one-on-one instruction from a qualified tradesperson in the Agricultural Equipment Technician Apprenticeship program.
See the Courses tab below for details on program delivery.
- All of our services to students remain available virtually.
- See the minimum technology requirements required to participate in online elements of this program.
- Visit our Student Awards and Financial Aid page for information about COVID-related supports and Lethbridge College's own emergency funding for students.
Overview
Over four years, you’ll mix on-the-job training with technical experience in the Agricultural Equipment Technician Apprenticeship program. Spending nearly 80 per cent of your time on the job, you’ll learn as you go from qualified technicians in the field. The remaining 20 per cent will be spent in our classrooms and shops, where you’ll learn how to maintain, diagnose and repair or overhaul equipment such as tractors, combines, sprayers and more.
The agriculture industry is crucial to our food supply, and keeping farm equipment running is a necessity you’ll be able to provide as an agricultural equipment technician. Gaining all of the ag mechanic skills you need during your apprenticeship, you’ll work with your hands to diagnose electrical, mechanical and hydraulic problems – ensuring downtime is minimized and the harvest is maximized.
Become an essential part of the agriculture industry, and apply for your apprenticeship today!
Career opportunities
When you complete your apprenticeship, you’ll be ready for your future in agriculture in positions such as:
- technician
- sales representative
- service representative
- manager
At-a-Glance
Courses
A blended course is intentionally designed to include continuum of both face to face/on-campus and online delivery. This includes both synchronous (in real-time on a set schedule) and asynchronous learning strategies (learning that does not occur at the same time or same place). Communication, instruction and assessment components of a blended course provide consistent information but go further by enhancing and supplementing each other. Students may complete some of their lessons online and may also be required to come to campus.
Learning does not occur at the same time or same place. Instructor provides materials including online readings, recorded lectures or presentations, posted lecture notes, video content, assignments and exams for online completion. Students access the course materials within a flexible timeframe prescribed by the instructor.
Learning happens in real time. Student and instructors interact and engage with each other in a specific virtual space, through a specific online medium, at a specific time. This can include video conferencing, live chatting, and live-streaming lectures.
Apprenticeship programs require eight to 12 weeks of classroom training each year in addition to on-the-job training.
Courses include:
- Diesel fuel injection systems
- Electrical welding and oxy fuel cutting
- Electronic fuel management
- Spraying equipment
- Powertrain (specific to off-road)
- Seeding and precision farming systems
View the full course outline for the Agricultural Equipment Technician Apprenticeship.
Admissions
Academic requirements
- Successful completion of English 20-2, Math 20-3 and Science 10, or entrance exam.
- English 30-2, Math 30-3, Physics 30 or Chemistry 30 or Science 30 and related career and technology studies recommended.
Please note: You must be a registered apprentice to apply for this program. Information on how to become a registered apprentice is available on the Alberta Government's website.
Additional information on apprenticeship and industry training is available on Alberta's Tradesecrets website.
Admission
You can apply for apprenticeship and industry training through MyTradesecrets.
To arrange a tour, call 403-320-3322 or toll-free 1-800-572-0103.
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board
Provincial Building, Room 280
200 - 5th Avenue South
Lethbridge AB T1J 4C7
Telephone: 1-800-248-4823
Outside of North America: 1-403-476-9757
Fax: 403-381-5795
Ask about the Alberta Apprenticeship Scholarship Program. You might discover you’re eligible for a financial award!
Your Investment
| Academic Year | Tuition | Fees | Books & Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $784.00 | $141.25 | $147.84 |
| Year 2 | $784.00 | $141.25 | $0.00 |
| Year 3 | $784.00 | $141.25 | $101.75 |
| Year 4 | $784.00 | $141.25 | $0.00 |
Our Budget Wizard is a free self-service tool that can help you make sense of your finances and the cost of your education. Give it a try!
- Costs are estimates only.
Notables
An industry in need of skilled workers
Regardless of the economy, trades are an essential component of any society.
A cultural shift towards university education and bachelor’s degrees has meant an aging population in the trades has fewer and fewer skilled workers to pass the wrench to. Regardless of the economy, trades are an essential component of any society. Check out the Canadian Government’s job market profile as well as Alberta’s occupational profile for a look at your prospects in the agricultural equipment repair industry.
Hands-on, immersive training
Graduate ready to work
Train on the newest industry equipment and technology.
Graduate ready to work
When you enter the workforce after our program, there’ll be no surprises. Multiple agreements with our industry partners mean that we have new equipment for our students to train on every year. In addition to this state-of-the-art equipment, we have all the scan tools, laptops and manufacturer-specific software that is needed to prepare you for the industry.
The AGCO Advantage: First in Canada
To ensure you receive the most relevant industry training possible, we remain on the leading edge of industry developments. We became the first post-secondary institution in Canada to sign an AGCO Advantage partnership agreement with AGCO Corporation and Hanlon Ag Centre Ltd. As a student in our Ag and Heavy Equipment certificate program or apprenticeships, you’ll:
- train on the latest industry-standard components
- learn from experienced instructors who have received factory training from AGCO
- be knowledgeable about the state-of-the-art technologies used on AGCO equipment
For AGCO dealers throughout southern Alberta and beyond, you’ll be a valuable asset already equipped with the skills and experience needed for the job when you graduate.
Investing in the workforce of tomorrow
A modern facility dedicated to training the next generation of service technicians.
Investing in the workforce of tomorrow
The Crooks School of Transportation resides within the first phase of the Technologies, Trades and Innovation Facility. This 41,317 square-foot building was made possible by Art and Mary Jane Crooks as well as the generosity and ongoing support of our industry partners. They have invested in the workforce of tomorrow – they have invested in you.
The Crooks School of Transportation features:
- 14 hoists in the automotive lab
- four agricultural and heavy equipment bays
- three dynamometers, or "dynos" for short (an engine dyno, a chassis dyno and a transmission dyno), which are devices used for measuring the power produced by an engine, motor or other rotating prime mover
- the Western Tractor Technology Lab, an advanced agricultural technology room supplied with industry-leading technology from Western Tractor
“As business people, we realize just how important the trades are,” said Art Crooks at the unveiling. “We know the ‘old gang’ is retiring and we need new people to take their place. The purely academic stream has been overemphasized and students are not always encouraged to enter a trade, yet they provide professional and rewarding careers in which skilled people can make a good living. When we moved here, we became much more aware of the work being done by Lethbridge College in trades education. We hope our gift helps keep students in Lethbridge and makes training at Lethbridge College as accessible as possible.”
Video games in college?
You bet! Simulation technology is changing the industry and your education.
Video games in college?
Video games as an educational tool might seem a bit bizarre at first, but simulation allows you to perfect a new skill and test systems before they’re even built. In our Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician program or apprenticeships, you’ll use a hydraulic simulation program to virtually build hydraulic systems and test them before doing any of the work in real world.
Red Seal designation
The ultimate goal of your apprenticeship is to work towards obtaining a journeyman and Red Seal designation at the end of four years. The Red Seal is the Canadian standard for excellence in skilled trades and is respected nationally and globally, opening up doors for your career.
Upon the successful completion of your apprenticeship and exams, you’ll receive a Red Seal endorsement on your provincial trade certification. And with that designation, you’ll be able to go from here to anywhere in the country.
From here to there: alumni updates
Lethbridge College isn’t just a place to go to school – we’re a community that is here to support you from your initial interest in our program through to the moment you cross the stage at Convocation and beyond. Just take a look at where an LC education has taken some of our grads.
Kevin Brandics
Kevin lives in Taber and works for Rocky Mountain Equipment as a service manager.
– From Fall 2015 Wider Horizons
Keith Smyth, Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician 1991
“After completing the agricultural mechanics diploma, I went into industry in the Lethbridge area. I acquired my Heavy Equipment Technician designation as well and began teaching both agriculture and heavy equipment at Olds College in 2006. I completed my Master’s degree in Leadership through Royal Roads University in 2012. In addition to teaching, I am also the program coordinator for the school of trades, farrier program, and trans-vocational program at Olds College. In reflection, it’s amazing where one can wind up it seems. I am always thankful for my time at Lethbridge College and enjoy keeping up with all the wonderful changes there.”
– From Winter 2015 Wider Horizons
G. David Fajnor, Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician 1996
“I moved to Calgary in 2001 and I worked for Calgary Transit repairing buses and trains. I moved over to the Calgary Fire Department for the last four years and now repair the fire equipment.”
– From Fall 2010 Wider Horizons
Investing in the future of service technicians
Taylor Harvesting to establish the Taylor Family Heavy Equipment Bay
Success stories from Wider Horizons
It's a family affair: The Harbers Family
Virtual tour
Take a walk through one of the equipment bays in the Crooks School of Transportation. It could be your classroom.