Utility Fleet Equipment Mechanic Examination

Download the technician examination application form.

Ten years in the making, examination for Utility Fleet Equipment Mechanics is now a reality. The examination is a voluntary process under the direction of the "Canadian Utility Fleet Council". Some time ago, Utility Fleet Managers and equipment manufacturers from across Canada, who participate in an organization known as the Canadian Utility Fleet Council, recognized the need to raise the competency level of mechanics who maintain utility fleet equipment. (aerial devices, digger derricks, chippers, etc.) A working group was formed

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and began work. Their goals, develop a trades matrix which accurately reflects the tasks required of a modern day Utility Fleet Equipment Mechanic and from that matrix, develop and implement a national examination process. The matrix titled the "Utility Fleet Equipment Mechanic Learning Guide" was published in 1997 and served as a blueprint for tradesmen training. Using the tasks identified in the learning guide, a examination was developed. Beginning in the fall of 2002, mechanics who presently maintain this type of equipment and who meet the qualifying criteria, will be allowed to challenge the exam.

In May of 2002 the annual meeting of the Canadian Utility Fleet Council (known as the CUFF meeting) was held in Calgary. At that meeting the audience, consisting of Utility Fleet Managers, Equipment Manufacturers and Equipment Suppliers from across Canada, was polled to determine when examination process should become mandatory for those repairing and maintaining utility fleet equipment in Canada. The consensus was that by the year 2005 all mechanics involved in the maintenance of utility equipment be tested.

Purpose

Examination of the personnel who build, service, repair and inspect modern day utility equipment accomplishes the following:

• For equipment owners, -it means having their equipment maintained by only competent people and provides a means of proving they are following the best practices possible.
• For equipment manufacturers, -it means having their product maintained in the fashion they had intended.
• For the technician repairing, maintaining or inspecting the equipment,-it means getting the necessary training to enable them to adequately perform their jobs.
• For the equipment operator, -it means having a comfort level, knowing the equipment they use is maintained by a trained and competent professional.

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The Process

Examination under the direction of the Canadian Utility Fleet Council is a voluntary process, aimed towards the "best practices" available principle. The program is driven by utilities, equipment manufacturers, owners and operators, requiring that only competent technicians are allowed to service, inspect and maintain their equipment. The process is simple. When a technician meets the qualifying criteria as outlined as follows, he or she is are allowed to challenge the examination. The examination is scored and technicians achieving a grade of 70 percent or higher are issued a proof of completion. Names of successful technicians are entered into the official database of "Qualified Utility Fleet Equipment Mechanics". The release of any information from the database is under the strict control of the Canadian Utility Fleet Council "Mechanic Training Committee". Robert Borer Enterprises Ltd. has developed and will administer the process, under the direction and control of the Canadian Utility Fleet Council "Mechanic Training Committee."

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Task List

All tasks the Mechanic will be tested on are found in the "Utility Fleet Mechanic Learning Guide". The "Guide" identifies task criticality as well as how to go about learning the required skills. The "Guide" also provides a section with sign-off sheets. When a technician has performed a task to the satisfaction of the company's observer, the observer and technician both sign the sheet, indicating that the task has been satisfactorily completed. When the technician has completed all of the tasks, and spent appropriate time to gain experience, he or she should be ready to challenge the examination.

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Training

All tasks the Mechanic will be tested on are found in the "Utility Fleet Mechanic Learning Guide". The "Guide" identifies task criticality as well as how to go about learning the required skills. The "Guide" also provides a section with sign-off sheets. When a technician has performed a task to the satisfaction of the company's observer, the observer and technician both sign the sheet, indicating that the task has been satisfactorily completed. When the technician has completed all of the tasks, and spent appropriate time to gain experience, he or she should be ready to challenge the examination.

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The Examination

The examination is comprised of a combination of 100 multiple choice and true or false questions. Tasks viewed as critical have more questions dedicated to them. Questions pertaining to tasks considered critical are worth more marks in the determination of the technician's final score. Each applicant's examination is unique, being made up of questions randomly selected by computer from a data base of approved questions. Each student is expected to complete the examination within a time period of two hours, without the aid of any written material or coaching. Students are allowed to use a calculator in the examination. Completed examinations are scored with results forwarded to the CUFC. Mechanic Training Committee for review.

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Appeal Process

Appeal of examination results or any other area of dispute, must be made directly to the CUFC Mechanic Training Committee. In all cases, the decision of the committee will be final.

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Qualification Criteria

Since the integrity of the program is of utmost importance, only those meeting or exceeding the qualification criteria will be eligible to challenge the examination. There will be absolutely no "Grand Fathering" of any technician. The Committee fully realizes there are personnel working in the industry who are not "licensed mechanics" and that those individuals, because of their past experience, should be considered. Due to the wide diversity of technicians presently working in the industry, there are a number of ways in which an applicant may qualify to write the examination, Minimum qualifying criteria is as follows:

1. Hold a valid Provincial Mechanic's License (or equivalent) in automotive, truck and coach or heavy duty equipment, and further, have a minimum, of two years dedicated practical experience on utility type equipment.
2. In the absence of possessing a valid mechanic license (or equivalent), the applicant must, at minimum, have 5 years experience actively servicing, inspecting and repairing utility type equipment.
3. Hold a valid Engineering or Technologist degree and have at minimum, two years dedicated practical experience on utility type equipment.

Applications will require photocopies of valid mechanic licenses, Engineering Degree or Technologist Degree and a letter from the applicant's employer attesting to the industry experience, including the completion and sign off of tasks indicated with a criticality of three or higher in the "Utility Fleet Mechanic Learning Guide". Any detected falsifications submitted will result the applicant being ineligible until such time as approval is granted by the "Mechanic Training Committee".

Further information regarding the process can be obtained by contacting the Canadian Utility Fleet Council at cufc@rogers.com.

Download the technician examination application form.

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