Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics install and maintain oil, coal and wood heating systems in residential and commercial buildings. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Good
Market Demand
TEER 2
Skill Level
AB, BC, ON
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Read and interpret drawings or specifications to determine work to be performed
- Lay out oil burner heating system components and assemble components using hand and power tools
- Install oil burner components such as thermostats, motors, piping and safety devices, and connect to fuel supply, ventilation and electrical system
- Test installed unit and adjust controls for proper functioning
- Troubleshoot and repair malfunctioning oil burners, and their components and controls
- Install, maintain and repair coal and wood heating systems
- Perform scheduled maintenance service on oil and solid fuel heating systems.
Qualifications
- checkCompletion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program is usually required.
- checkCompletion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program ora combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in heating systems installation and repair is usually required for trade certification.
- checkOil heat system technician trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- checkRed Seal endorsement is also available to qualified oil heat system technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Market Outlook by Province
Alberta
The employment outlook will be Good for oil and solid fuel heating mechanics (NOC 72420) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about oil and solid fuel heating mechanics in Alberta: Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 86%Management and administrative services (NAICS 55, 56): 14% 50% of oil and solid fuel heating mechanics work all year, while 50% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.9% of oil and solid fuel heating mechanics are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 13% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 43% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 17% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Good
Outlook
British Columbia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for oil and solid fuel heating mechanics (NOC 72420) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about oil and solid fuel heating mechanics in British Columbia: Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 82%Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 18% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 88% compared to 78% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 13% compared to 22% for all occupations50% of oil and solid fuel heating mechanics work all year, while 50% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.28% of oil and solid fuel heating mechanics are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: 19% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 43% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 10% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 14% compared to 22% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Moderate
Outlook
Ontario
The employment outlook will be Moderate for oil and solid fuel heating mechanics (NOC 72420) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about oil and solid fuel heating mechanics in Ontario: Approximately 400 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 68%Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 5% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 88% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 12% compared to 19% for all occupations61% of oil and solid fuel heating mechanics work all year, while 39% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.25% of oil and solid fuel heating mechanics are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 13% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 51% compared to 8% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 2 occupations require college education or apprenticeship training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Express Entry (FSW)
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Programs
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 72420 openings right now.
SECURE
2 active roles · Edmonton, AB
Irvingoil
1 active role
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Search Oil and solid fuel heating mechanicsarrow_forwardCore Competencies
Repairing and Preventative Maintenance
to diagnose, disassemble and repair complex heating systems, while proactively conducting thorough inspections, replacing worn components and fine-tuning systems to prevent future breakdowns
Equipment and Tool Selection, and Setting Up
to make sure the working environment is efficient and safe setting up the right equipment and specialized tools for the task such as pressure gauges, combustion analyzers, or flue gas testers
Colour Perception
to assist in the inspection and maintenance of heating systems, particularly by evaluating the condition of the flames in oil and solid fuel burners, as a change in flame colour may indicate issues with combustion or the fuel mixture
Hearing Sensitivity
to detect unusual sounds that might indicate issues with heating systems, such as rumbling, hissing, or irregular noises
Attention to Detail
to identify and address small issues before they become major problems, ensuring the system operates safely and efficiently
Knowledge in Mechanics and Machinery
to understand common heating systems and simple mechanical components, focusing on routine maintenance and minor repairs
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