Trades and Technology
ufv.ca/trades

Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport certificate

Entry-level trades training

At UFV, we can put students on the road towards a career as a heavy duty, commercial transport, or agriculture technician by teaching them how to service and repair equipment such as trucks, crawler units, and farm tractors. The Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport program will prepare students for entry into the provincial apprenticeship program, or for entry directly into employment. Students will develop skills needed to work in the trade.

Theory and shop procedures are set up to simulate job conditions, so punctuality and good work habits are essential. This program exceeds the provincial standards of Foundation and ELTT programs taught throughout B.C.

Concurrent studies option

UFV allows high school students to complete this program through a concurrent studies model during their grade 12 year. For more information, contact your disctrict/school career counsellor. You may also contact the UFV Trades & Technology Centre at 604-847-5448 or email trades@ufv.ca.

Employment opportunities

After successfully completing the program, students will be prepared for employment in the equipment industry. Potential employers include logging, trucking, bus companies, mining, and agricultural shops.

Entrance requirements

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.

2. Successful completion of a math and reading comprehension entrance exam.

When to apply

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space. See Continuous application process for more information.

How to apply

1. Submit a UFV application form, along with the $45 application fee, to the Admissions & Records office. You can apply online or download an application form at ufv.ca/ar/admissions/apply. Application forms are also available from any A&R or Student Services office. Applicants currently in Grade 12 may apply during their Grade 12 year. A statement from the school counsellor or principal, indicating that you are likely to meet graduation requirements by June, must be presented at the time of entrance exam appointment.

2. Applicants will be notified of entrance exam dates by the Trades & Technology Centre. There is no fee for writing these exams. Applicants who have not been contacted within two weeks of submission of their applications should call 604-847-5448.

3. Read the program description and information carefully. If you require more information, please contact the Trades & Technology Centre at 604-847-5448 or trades@ufv.ca.

4. Prior to classes starting in September, applicants will be notified by telephone of the registration procedures. Applicants who cannot be reached by telephone after three attempts will be removed from the wait list.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and other expenses

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport Technician students should also budget up to $1200 for basic hand tools, approximately $1000 for required textbooks, and up to $300 for appropriate working apparel.

Note: A deposit (currently $200) must be paid at the time of registration, which typically takes place one or two months before the start of each semester. The balance of fees must be paid by the end of the second week of the semester.

Medical requirement

A medical statement from a qualified physician may be required at any time before or during the program. Students will be notified by a UFV official if/when the statement is required.

Location

The Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport program is located in the Trades & Technology Centre at the Canada Education Park in Chilliwack, which is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Classes and shops are in session 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dates and attendance requirements

The Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport program starts in September and ends the following May.

The Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport program requires continuous attendance through all three semesters to successfully complete all requirements for the program. Students will be expected to attend classes five days per week for the duration of the entire program.

Students who fail to meet the attendance requirements as outlined in their individual program guides may be subject to a failing grade or academic warning.

See UFV's Academic Warning policy (79) and Attendance policy (62).

Program requirements

Students must complete all requirements with a minimum of 70% or better to receive a Credit (CR) grade in order to graduate.

Students who do not receive a Credit (CR) grade in all required areas by the program end date, may apply to their instructor for re-entry into the program. Students who reapply may register as upgrading students and must complete all program requirements no later than the program end date of the following year. See upgrading policy for more details.

Graduation

Students must apply for graduation by completing a Request to Graduate form available at the Trades Centre. We recommend this be done at the beginning of your final semester.

Academic warnings

Trades & Technology students who demonstrate unacceptable academic performance will be placed on Academic Warning. See UFV's Academic Warning policy (79).

Unacceptable academic performance may, at the discretion of the instructor, include poor attendance, slow progress in theory and practical tasks, and/or lack of satisfactory participation in class activities. See UFV's Attendance policy (62).

Trades & Technology students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner, and will be held responsible for their actions, whether acting alone or in group. See UFV's Student Academic Misconduct policy (70) and Student Non-Academic Misconduct policy (204).

Withdrawal policy

Student-initiated withdrawal (discontinuing)

If a student wishes not to continue or return for the next semester, the Trades Centre will advise Admissions & Records and initiate a withdrawal from the student’s current Trades program.

Required to withdraw (failed grades)

Failed grades may result in withdrawal from the program.

Required to withdraw (academic warning)

Students may be required to withdraw from a course or program for failing to comply with any of the following UFV policies: Academic Warning policy (79), Attendance policy (62), Student Academic Misconduct policy (70), Student Non-Academic Misconduct policy (204).

Upgrading policy

An upgrading student will be enrolled for no more than 13 weeks. Upgrading students will not displace anyone registered in the next intake.

The upgrading program allows those currently or recently employed in the industry to complete their certificate requirements or to become proficient in specific processes or techniques.

Upgrading students are expected to meet program prerequisites through previous enrolment or proof of industry experience approved by the program instructor.

Re-admission policy

Students who begin a trades program, but withdraw before completing the program, may contact the department to request re-entry to the program provided their absence is less than two years. Re-entry is subject to space availability.

If you are absent more than two years you will be required to apply for re-admission.

• An Application for admission form and Application fee will be required
• Trades & Technology entrance exams will need to be retaken

Program outline

The Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport program starts in September and ends in May.

Students must show that they understand the theory by successfully completing a written test for each unit and then applying it to an acceptable level of practical skills as assigned in that unit. The learning materials may include home access to the internet, printed handouts, worksheets, videoclips, display boards, lab manuals, and instruction.

At regular stages you will be required to move to a shop or lab area to perform various tasks in order to develop your practical skills. As much as possible, study lab and shop instruction is patterned after “on-the-job” situations, where a limited amount of direct supervision is required.

The training follows a modular system that begins by developing a wide variety of basic skills, and builds on these to develop intermediate and specialized skills required in this industry.

Sample topics:

• Using specialty equipment
• Starting and moving selected vehicles
• Servicing hydraulic systems
• Servicing truck components
• Servicing track type equipment
• Servicing working attachments
• Servicing gas and diesel engine support systems
• Servicing air-brake systems
• Basic oxy-acetylene and arc welding
• Technical Communications 115 (three academic credits).

All unit tests and assigned practicals must be completed with a passing grade before writing the final exam, which is scheduled in May.