Build Your Future with the Heavy Equipment Mechanic Trade at ATI
At ATI, we prepare future heavy equipment mechanics to service, repair, and maintain the powerful machines that drive construction, mining, and large-scale industry. Our training combines practical, hands-on experience with in-depth technical knowledge, ensuring you can tackle engines, hydraulics, and complex systems with confidence.
From excavators and bulldozers to cranes and loaders, you’ll master the skills that keep the big machines moving. At ATI, every repair you make keeps industries building, growing, and pushing forward, and every skill you gain powers a career built to last.
Qualification purpose
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic. A Heavy Equipment Mechanic maintains, diagnoses faults in and repairs heavy equipment such as earth moving or mining equipment, including engines, mechanical parts and hydraulically or electrically powered systems. A qualified learner will be able to:
- Perform preventative and scheduled maintenance on heavy equipment.
- Dismantle, assess, repair, and reassemble heavy equipment engine and power train system components.
- Diagnose and repair faults in heavy equipment diesel engine and power train systems.
Foundational Learning Competence (SAQA Minimum Entry Level)
NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematics
Trade test requirements
Learner should have passed:
- N2 Mathematics Engineering Science, Engineering Drawings, Petrol / Diesel Trade Theory
- N2 Certificate including the four relevant subjects of maths, engineering science and a fourth subject as required by the trade: or
- Technical trade theory programs quality assured by a SETA deemed to be equivalent to NQF level 3 (N2); or
- Relevant Engineering NCV Certificate with seven subjects at NQF level 3; or
- Technical Grade 11 with Maths, Science, Language, and related trade theory subject; or
- Relevant (directly related to the trade theory subjects) N6 certificate or National Technical Diploma (T, S or N stream.)
In addition to the above-mentioned minimum educational qualification the applicant must also have:
- Successfully completed all off the job practical training unit standards (in the case of learnerships) or modules (in the case
of an apprenticeship) of an artisan learning program at an accredited training provider as verifiable by training records
(logbook).
- Satisfied the requirements of the structured workplace, on the job, learning for a minimum period of 12 months verifiable
through a workplace learning record (e.g. logbook) unless any other workplace period has been contractually specified before the date of publication of this Regulation.
Note: A Logbook is a record of all training the learner has received, contributing to their portfolio of evidence.
Skills obtained as outcomes
- Perform preventative and scheduled maintenance on heavy equipment.
- Dismantle, assess, repair, and reassemble heavy equipment engine and power train system components.
- Diagnose and repair faults in heavy equipment diesel engine and power train systems.
Qualification outcome
Qualified HEM mechanic (red seal) Internationally recognised.
Types of jobs pertaining to the trade
- Entrepreneur / Contractor
- as an employee in any of the industries listed
Industries where they can work if qualified
- Manufacturing
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Civil
- Logistics
- Anywhere there are heavy diesel machines working.
Approximate trade duration
Off the job practical training.
- Phase 1 – Duration – 12 Weeks
- Phase 2 – Duration – 12 Weeks
- Phase 3 – Duration – 8 Weeks
- Phase 4 – Duration – 4 Weeks (Revision and Trade Test)
Workplace (on the job) experience
- 18 months. Registered learner with a SETA.
- 3 years ARPL route.
Contact us now for more information at any of our nationwide branches.
