Agriculture and Heavy Equipment Certificate

Program Status

Fall 2020

Fall 2021

• Open

• Upcoming

What can you expect from the program?

If you want to get your hands on the newest and largest industry equipment in service come to Olds College. This comprehensive program will give you a thorough understanding of engines, hydraulics, braking, electrical, starting, charging, fuel systems and more. Our classrooms are discipline specific (i.e. motor lab, machinery lab) with small student to instructor ratio and personal workbenches. With our experienced industry-trained instructors you will receive an education placing you at the forefront of the technical curve. Our extensive tool room exposes students to a wide range of tooling solutions for better problem solving. Our large workshops comfortably house industry equipment for overhaul projects.

The class atmosphere is filled with dedication but at the same time you will find yourself relaxed and informal. We have fun! The Steak Fry & Car Bash, volunteering with STARS, and our very popular Shop Night are all Ag Mech club functions!

What will you learn?

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Employ current Occupational Health and Safety and Industry safety standards and procedures in the workplace
Communicate to achieve desired outcomes in industry
Make decisions regarding the adjustment and repair of agricultural and heavy equipment systems
Demonstrate proficiency in adjustment and repair of selected agricultural and heavy equipment systems to meet industry and government standards
Diagnose common faults on agricultural and heavy equipment
Maintain agricultural and heavy equipment
Use advanced technologies on agricultural and heavy equipment

Credential: Certificate

Length of Program: One Year

Method of Delivery: On-Campus

While on campus you will receive important hands-on instruction in our labs. The curriculum is exactly the same as the on-campus program. Students will complete a total of 10 courses throughout the year; five in the fall semester and five in the winter semester.

ON CAMPUS: Traditional course delivery.

Program Intakes:

BLENDED Summer Intake – August program start
ON CAMPUS Fall Intake – September program start

Applications Open: October 1 for the Summer & Fall Intakes

Selection Process for Admission: First Qualified, First Accepted

Tuition, Mandatory Fees, Books, and Supplies: Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for details.

Tuition & Fees: $5,470 / Books & Supplies: $3,300

*These fees are provided as estimates only for the purposes of budgeting. Please note that all fees are best estimates and are subject to change.

What do I need to apply?

Admission Requirements:

Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement (completed at minimum 3 years of formal education taught entirely in English or provide the results of a recognized English Language Proficiency exam)
Applicants for the certificate must have:
- 50% or better in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
- 50% or better in Math 20-1 or Math 20-2

Academic Upgrading and High School Applicants: Applicants currently in high school or who are completing academic upgrading must submit proof of enrolment and any available interim/midterm marks. Final marks must be submitted within one month following the completion of the course(s) and no later than one month prior to the program start date.

Out of Province Applicants: Please refer to the Provincial Equivalency Chart for course equivalencies.

International Applicants: Olds College welcomes applications from international applicants and those who have completed their high school education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency. Further information can be found on our website under International Students.

Alberta’s Apprenticeship & Industry Training

When you graduate with a certificate, you can choose to write the apprenticeship exam for the first and second periods in either the Agricultural or Heavy Equipment programs. If you decide to stay for the second year and get your diploma either specializing in Agricultural or Heavy equipment, you then have the option of writing apprenticeship exams for full technical accreditation towards your specific trade. You will also be well-placed to attain Alberta Journeyman Status pending completion of job training hours specified by Alberta Industry Trade Board. Graduates are in demand by industry professionals.

Olds College also offers the Agricultural Equipment Technician Apprenticeship and Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship program for prospective students who are currently employed and wish to pursue journeyman status.

Did you know?

Students who complete the certificate and/or diploma program with a 2.3 GPA and department consent will have the option of writing their apprenticeship exams?

Admitted Student Information

Program Dates: Find out when you term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.

Class Registration: You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Technology Recommendation: It is strongly recommended that you come to Olds College with the following technology:

A device capable of running Microsoft Office, preferably a laptop

As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:

Go to portal.office.com
Enter your Olds College email address and password
Once logged in there is a button on the right that says "Install Office Apps"

This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.

Materials & Supplies:

The materials on our tool kit list are to be purchased before starting the program in September. There are several local businesses in Olds that supply the requirements. Please adhere to the maximum tool box size listed on the tool list. (Don't bring a tool box that is larger than this)

View the Tool List

You will be required to purchase "tool chips" at a cost of $50. These tool chips allow you to use specialized tools out of the tool room and also include the cost of shop towels and supplies that will be used in the lab classes. At the end of the year, $20 will be refunded if you return all of your tool chips.

Information on other required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.

Other Important Information:

Safety Regulations: Wearing safety equipment and abiding by industry safety standards is mandatory within our program.
Student Clubs: Ag Mech Club
Apprenticeship ILM: Because of the accreditation that our program has with Alberta Apprenticeship for the Heavy Equipment Technician and Agricultural Equipment Technician programs, we use the Apprenticeship ILM’s (Individual Learning Modules) as our reference material for the Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Program. Students will also be required to purchase additional textbooks, which they will be told more about on their first day of classes. These modules and textbooks are available at the Olds College Campus Store at 1.800.661.6537 or 403.556.4630.

Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Certificate

What can you expect from the program?

What will you learn?

Your Future

Program at a glance

What do I need to apply?

Alberta’s Apprenticeship & Industry Training

Olds College also offers the Agricultural Equipment Technician Apprenticeship and Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship program for prospective students who are currently employed and wish to pursue journeyman status.

Did you know?

Students who complete the certificate and/or diploma program with a 2.3 GPA and department consent will have the option of writing their apprenticeship exams?

Ready to apply? Visit our Admissions page for more info or contact an Olds College Advisor.

Admitted Students