Agricultural Equipment Technician FET

Holland Code: R (Realistic)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

Apprenticeship programs are run at Fanshawe College in partnership with the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. You can not apply to an apprenticeship program through the Ontario Colleges Application Service. Your first step is finding an employer who will support you in your apprenticeship training. The employer must register you as an apprentice with the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. For more information on the process, please see the Fanshawe Apprenticeship website.

Prospective students, who do not have an employer or wish to explore a mechanical career before doing an apprenticeship, may want to consider the Motive Power Technician (Automotive) program at Fanshawe College. This program provides much of the in-school portion of an apprenticeship.

Arts & Literacy Applicants will need good literacy skills – be able to read technical manuals and write reports.

Math & Science Strong math skills are needed, high school physics courses would be excellent preparation for this program.

Technology Basic computer skills required (Microsoft Office, email, Internet, checking student portal for course material).

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• Mechanical aptitude and interest
• Enjoy performing tasks that require precision
• The strength required to lift heavy machine parts
• The ability to read and understand technical information
• The ability to work independently with little supervision
• The ability to keep up to date with changing technology

What kind of work could I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become

A licensed Agricultural Equipment Technician. This is a Red Seal certified program.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• May work in fully equipped service centres or they may travel to agricultural centres to make service calls.
• Hours of work vary from regular hours during the winter to long and hectic hours during planting and harvesting seasons.
• Routinely handle heavy machine parts, some weighing over 20 kilograms.
• Work is sometimes noisy and dirty.

Places you may find yourself employed include

Retail agricultural equipment dealerships and independent repair facilities.

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

• Reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation, and making adjustments as necessary.
• Maintain, repair, and overhaul agricultural machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
• Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.
• Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.
• Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.
• Repair or replace defective parts, using hand tools, welding equipment, grinders, or saws.
• Overhaul engines, transmissions, hydraulic systems, and related equipment.
• Drive trucks to haul tools and equipment for on-site repair of large machinery.
• Test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers' specifications.
• Clean, lubricate, and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles.
• Read and understand operating manuals, blueprints, and technical drawings.
• Fit bearings to adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment.
• Diagnose faults or malfunctions to determine required repairs, using engine diagnostic equipment such as computerized test equipment and calibration devices.
• Examine parts for damage or excessive wear, using micrometers and gauges.

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

Links to learn more about apprenticeship in general

• www.apprenticesearch.com
• The Apprenticeship Network
• Apprenticetrades.ca
• Ontario College of Trades
• Employer apprenticeship incentives

Links to learn more about being an automotive service technician

• Agricultural Machinery & Equipment Directory (agmachine.com)
• Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA)
• Heavy Duty Repair Specialist Association
• Canadian Transportation Equipment Association (CTEA)
• www.canadiantechnician.com
• John Deere Career information

Last Modified: January 15, 2024