Steamfitter / Pipefitter

Do you like machines? Do you enjoy careful, precise work? Are you good with your hands? Could you work with power tools? Are you physically fit? Do you enjoy working independently with little supervision? Then, steamfitter/pipefitter could be the career for you!

What the work is like

Steamfitter/pipefitters build, install and maintain piping systems that carry water, steam, chemicals and fuel.

They are employed by pipeline construction contractors, thermal or steam generating plants, utility companies, oil refineries, pulp mills, and gas and chemical plants. They may also be self-employed.

Steamfitter/pipefitters work in the new home building and renovation, heavy industrial, and institutional and commercial construction sectors.

Your duties

As a steamfitter/pipefitter, your duties may include:

• Installing supports, valves, piping and control systems
• Welding pipes to form piping systems
• Measuring, cutting, threading and bending piping using hand and power tools
• Cutting openings for piping in walls, floors and ceilings
• Selecting type and size of piping
• Cleaning and maintaining pipes
• Preparing cost estimates
• Reading and interpreting blueprints

Work conditions

The standard work week for steamfitter/pipefitters is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). As with many careers in construction, there are peak periods that will require you to work overtime. The number of additional hours you work each week depends on the construction sector and region you work in, and will vary from one job to the next.

As a steamfitter/pipefitter, you may work indoors and outdoors, often at physically demanding tasks that may require climbing. You may have to travel for some jobs and live on-site at a company camp.

As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. Steamfitter/pipefitters are trained to work safely, and wear special equipment to protect themselves from injury.

Essential skills

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has identified nine essential skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and are applicable to most construction careers. Best of all, you can learn and improve on these skills in school, on the job, and during your everyday life.

The most important Essential Skills for steamfitters and pipefitters are:

• Numeracy—working with numbers to perform calculations
• Oral communication—conveying or exchanging information verbally
• Problem solving—coming up with solutions to challenges

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is one way of starting out in the construction industry. It involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified steamfitter/pipefitter, called a journeyperson.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working on the job site. Wages start at about 50% of a journeyperson’s hourly rate and increase during your apprenticeship, until you reach the full rate.

Entering an apprenticeship program

Requirements for steamfitter/pipefitter apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. In most provinces and territories, you must be at least 16 years old and have a Grade 10 education, or equivalent, to enter a steamfitter/pipefitter apprenticeship program. You may also need to have completed courses in mathematics.

Some provinces and territories offer secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work towards a career as a steamfitter/pipefitter.

Program length

Apprenticeship training programs for steamfitter/pipefitters vary across Canada, but generally involve four 12-month periods, including at least 6,000 hours of on-the-job training, four 8-week blocks of technical training, and a final certificate examination.

Related work experience or completion of a steamfitter/pipefitter program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship.

Certification

Steamfitter/pipefitter certification is required in some provinces, and is available but voluntary in other provinces and territories. Even where certification is voluntary, it is still recommended. Certification tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional. It also helps you get jobs.

To be certified as a steamfitter/pipefitter you usually need to complete a four-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully complete the on-the-job training, technical training and examinations required by the program, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.

If you have over five years of on-the-job experience and some high school, college or industry courses in steamfitting/pipefitting, you may be eligible for steamfitter/pipefitter certification in some provinces and territories.

As a certified steamfitter/pipefitter, you may attempt the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards’ Red Seal. With a Red Seal, you can work as a steamfitter/pipefitter anywhere in Canada.

Certification for steamfitter/pipefitters is compulsory in:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Ontario
• Québec

It is available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and territories.

To keep your skills current, you have to keep up with new technological developments by reading and talking with other steamfitter/pipefitters.

Salary ranges

TYPICAL WORK WEEK/YEAR *

In addition to their hourly rate, many construction workers receive statutory holiday and vacation pay. Depending on the contract, you may also receive benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits up to 30% of your hourly rate.

If you are self-employed, it’s up to you to arrange your own benefits.

* Wages vary across Canada, among labour organization locals and among open-shop construction contractors.

** Most construction work involves overtime, so your annual salary will vary depending on the number of hours you work. The salary range listed above represents the annual salary range for full-time journeyperson steamfitter/pipefitters across Canada, based on a 40-hour work week, without taking overtime into account.

Building your career

With experience and additional training, you can move into more senior positions, including supervisory roles such as foreman or construction superintendent. You can also become self-employed and work as a contractor or sub-contractor.

As with most careers in the construction industry, your skills are portable. If you want to move, you can take your skills with you.

Roofer

Do you like working outside? Do you get along well with others? Are you physically fit and keen on exercise? Could you work in high places? Do you like working with your hands? Are you comfortable in hot temperatures? Then, you could become a roofer!

What the work is like

Roofers install, repair and replace roofs. They may also waterproof basements, foundations and decks.

As a roofer, you will be employed by roofing and general contractors for construction or repair jobs, or you may be self-employed.

Roofers work in the new home building and renovation, and institutional and commercial construction sectors.

Your duties

As a roofer, your duties may include:

• Installing, repairing or replacing roofing systems using materials such as asphalt and gravel
• Installing, repairing or replacing shingles and other roofing tiles
• Applying waterproof coatings to concrete surfaces
• Installing and repairing metal roofs using hand and power tools
• Installing scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs
• Estimating required materials and costs

Work conditions

The standard work week for roofers is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). As with many careers in construction, there are peak periods that will require you to work overtime. The number of additional hours you work each week depends on the construction sector and region you work in, and will vary from one job to the next.

Most roofers work steadily throughout the year because roof systems need to be replaced every 15 to 20 years.

As a roofer, you will work mostly outdoors, and with a crew of other construction professionals. The job can be physically demanding—you may have to lift heavy materials, and roofing can be quite hot during the summer.

As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. Roofers are trained to work safely, and wear special equipment like safety harnesses to protect themselves from injury.

Essential skills

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has identified nine essential skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and are applicable to most construction careers. Best of all, you can learn and improve on these skills in school, on the job, and during your everyday life.

The most important Essential Skills for roofers are:

• Numeracy—working with numbers to perform calculations
• Significant use of memory—performing tasks that call upon greater memory use than most jobs
• Working with others—interacting with co-workers to get the job done

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is one way of starting out in the construction industry. It involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified roofer, called a journeyperson.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working on the job site. Wages start at about 65% of a journeyperson’s hourly rate and increase during your apprenticeship, until you reach the full rate.

Entering an apprenticeship program

Requirements for roofer apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. In most provinces and territories, you must have a Grade 9 education, or equivalent, to enter a roofer apprenticeship program.

Some provinces and territories offer secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work towards a career as a roofer.

Program length

Apprenticeship training programs for roofers vary across Canada, but generally involve four 12-month periods, including at least 5,860 hours of on-the-job training, three 6-week blocks of technical training, and a final certificate examination.

Related work experience or completion of a roofer program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship.

Certification

Roofer certification is required in some provinces, and is available but voluntary in most other provinces and territories. Even where certification is voluntary, it is still recommended. Certification tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional. It also helps you get jobs.

To be certified as a roofer, you usually need to complete of a four-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully complete the on-the-job training, technical training and examinations required by the program, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.

If you have over three years of on-the-job experience and some high school, college or industry courses in roofing, you may be eligible for roofer certification in some provinces and territories.

As a certified roofer, you may attempt the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards’ Red Seal. With a Red Seal, you can work as a roofer anywhere in Canada.

Certification for roofers is compulsory in:

• British Columbia
• Québec

It is available, but voluntary, in:

• Alberta
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

In provinces and territories where certification is not available, it may be possible to study as an apprentice through your local labour organization.

To keep your skills current, you have to keep up with new technological developments by reading and talking with other roofers.

Salary ranges

TYPICAL WORK WEEK/YEAR *

In addition to their hourly rate, many construction workers receive statutory holiday and vacation pay. Depending on the contract, you may also receive benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits up to 30% of your hourly rate.

If you are self-employed, it’s up to you to arrange your own benefits.

* Wages vary across Canada, among labour organization locals and among open-shop construction contractors. Some roofers are paid according to how much work they complete, not the number of hours worked.

** Most construction work involves overtime, so your annual salary will vary depending on the number of hours you work. The salary range listed above represents the annual salary range for full-time journeyperson roofers across Canada, based on a 40-hour work week, without taking overtime into account.

Building your career

With experience and additional training, you can move into more senior positions, including supervisory roles. You can also become self-employed and work as a contractor.

As with most careers in the construction industry, your skills are portable. If you want to move, you can take your skills with you.

Plasterer and Drywaller

Are you strong? Do you have an eye for detail? Would you enjoy working with precision tools? Are you creative? Do you like a challenge? Then, you could become a plasterer and drywaller!

What the work is like

Plasterers apply, maintain and restore plaster on interior and exterior walls, and on ceilings. Drywallers install and finish drywall sheets and various types of ceiling systems.

Plasters and drywallers are employed by construction companies and by plastering and drywalling contractors or they may be self-employed.

Plasterers and drywallers work in the new home building and renovation, and institutional and commercial construction sectors.

Your duties

As a plasterer, your duties may include:

• Applying, levelling and smoothing coats of plaster
• Spraying coats of stucco over the exteriors of buildings to form weatherproof surfaces
• Cleaning and preparing surfaces
• Mixing plaster ingredients
• Finishing corners and angles and creating decorative designs
• Spraying finish over walls and ceilings

As a drywaller, your duties may include:

• Measuring, cutting and fitting drywall sheets for installation on walls and ceilings
• Positioning and securing drywall sheets to metal or wooden studs
• Cutting and installing metal corner beads to protect exterior corners
• Filling joints, holes and cracks with compound using a trowel and broad knife
• Smoothing out excess compound and sanding over dry compound

Work conditions

The standard work week for plasterers and drywallers is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). As with many careers in construction, there are peak periods that will require you to work overtime. The number of additional hours you work each week depends on the construction sector and region you work in, and will vary from one job to the next.

As a plasterer and drywaller, you will work mostly indoors, with some outdoor work. You may work alone or with other construction crew members. The job is physically demanding—you will be on your feet most of the time, working with heavy drywall sheets.

As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. Plasterers and drywallers are trained to work safely, and use equipment such as masks and safety goggles to protect themselves from dust.

Essential skills

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has identified nine essential skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and are applicable to most construction careers. Best of all, you can learn and improve on these skills in school, on the job, and during your everyday life.

The most important Essential Skills for plasterers and drywallers are:

• Numeracy—working with numbers to perform calculations
• Significant use of memory—performing tasks that call upon greater memory use than most jobs
• Working with others—interacting with co-workers to get the job done

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is one way of starting out in the construction industry. It involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified plasterer and drywaller, called a journeyperson.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working on the job site. Wages start at about 45% of a journeyperson’s hourly rate and increase during your apprenticeship, until you reach the full rate.

Entering an apprenticeship program

Requirements for plasterer and drywaller apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. In most provinces and territories, you must be at least 16 years old and have a Grade 10 education, or equivalent, to enter a plasterer and drywaller apprenticeship program.

Some provinces and territories offer secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work towards a career as a plasterer and drywaller.

Program length

Apprenticeship training programs for plasterers and drywallers vary across Canada. They generally last four years, and include both on-the-job training and in-class technical training.

Related work experience or completion of a plasterer and drywaller program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship.

Certification

Plasterer and drywaller certification is required in Québec, and is available but voluntary in most other provinces. Even where certification is voluntary, it is still recommended. Certification tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional. It also helps you get jobs.

To be certified as a plasterer and drywaller, you usually need to complete a three- to four-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully complete the on-the-job training, technical training and examinations required by the program, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.

If you have over three years of on-the-job experience and some high school, college or industry courses for plasterers and drywallers, you may be eligible for certification in some provinces and territories.

In provinces and territories where certification is not available, it may be possible to study as an apprentice through your local labour organization.

As a certified plasterer or drywaller, you may attempt the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards’ Red Seal *. With a Red Seal, you can work as a plasterer and drywaller anywhere in Canada.

*Under the Red Seal program, plasterer and drywaller is classified as “lather”.

To keep your skills current, you have to keep up with new technological developments by reading and talking with other plasterers and drywallers.

Salary ranges

TYPICAL WORK WEEK/YEAR *

In addition to their hourly rate, many construction workers receive statutory holiday and vacation pay. Depending on the contract, you may also receive benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits up to 30% of your hourly rate.

If you are self-employed, it’s up to you to arrange your own benefits.

* Wages vary across Canada, among labour organization locals and among open-shop construction contractors.

** Most construction work involves overtime, so your annual salary will vary depending on the number of hours you work. The salary range listed above represents the annual salary range for full-time journeyperson plasterers and drywallers across Canada, based on a 40-hour work week, without taking overtime into account.

Building your career

With experience and additional training, you can move into supervisory or estimator positions. You can also become self-employed and contract your services for smaller jobs.

As with most careers in the construction industry, your skills are portable. If you want to move, you can take your skills with you.

Concrete Finisher

Do you like to work with tools and equipment? Are you strong and physically fit? Do you like precise work? Do you like working with your hands? Then, you could become a concrete finisher!

What the work is like

Concrete finishers smooth and finish freshly poured concrete, and install, maintain and restore floors, ceilings, sidewalks, roads and patios.

Most concrete finishers are employed by construction companies, and by concrete contractors and manufacturers. Some concrete finishers are self-employed, contracting their services for smaller projects such as patios, sidewalks and driveways.

Concrete finishers work in all four construction sectors: new home building and renovation, heavy industrial, institutional and commercial, and civil engineering.

Your duties

As a concrete finisher, your duties may include:

• Levelling the top surface of freshly poured concrete on floors, walls, ceilings or sidewalks
• Operating a power vibrator to compress concrete
• Applying hardening and sealing compounds to cure the surface of concrete
• Waterproofing, damp-proofing and restoring concrete surfaces
• Installing anchor bolts, steel plates and other fixtures in freshly poured concrete

Work conditions

As a concrete finisher, your work hours are weather-dependent. There is less work available in the winter, and summer hours are often longer than the standard 40-hour week. Overtime is often required because concrete finishers cannot leave a project in the middle and return to it the next day. The number of additional hours you work each week depends on the construction sector and region you work in, and will vary from one job to the next.

As a concrete finisher, you may work indoors or outdoors, usually with a team of other construction professionals. The work is often fast-paced and strenuous—you may have to lift heavy materials and spend long periods of time bending and kneeling.

As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. Concrete finishers are trained to work safely, and wear special equipment to protect themselves from injury.

Essential skills

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has identified nine essential skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and are applicable to most construction careers. Best of all, you can learn and improve on these skills in school, on the job, and during your everyday life.

The most important Essential Skills for concrete finishers are:

• Document use—reading and interpreting documents to extract information
• Numeracy—working with numbers to perform calculations
• Problem solving—coming up with solutions to challenges
• Decision making—making a choice among options

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is one way of starting out in the construction industry. It involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified concrete finisher, called a journeyperson.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working on the job site. Wages start at about 60% of a journeyperson’s hourly rate and increase during your apprenticeship, until you reach the full rate.

Entering an apprenticeship program

Requirements for concrete finisher apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. In most provinces and territories, you must be at least 16 years old and have a Grade 10 education, or equivalent, to enter a concrete finisher apprenticeship program. You may find it helpful to have courses in math, science and drafting.

Some provinces and territories offer secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work towards a career as a concrete finisher.

Program length

Apprenticeship training programs for concrete finishers vary across Canada, but generally involve three 12-month periods, including at least 3,600 hours of on-the-job training, two four-week blocks of technical training, and a final certificate examination.

Related work experience or completion of a concrete finisher program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship.

Certification

Concrete finisher certification is required in Québec, and is available but voluntary in most other provinces and territories. Even where certification is voluntary, it is still recommended. Certification tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional. It also helps you get jobs.

To be certified as a concrete finisher, you usually need required to complete a three-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully complete the on-the-job training, technical training and examinations required by the program, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.

If you have over four years of on-the-job experience and some high school, college or industry courses in concrete finishing, you may be eligible for concrete finisher certification in some provinces and territories.

As a certified concrete finisher you may attempt the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards’ Red Seal. With a Red Seal, you can work as a concrete finisher anywhere in Canada.

Certification for concrete finishers is compulsory in Québec.

It is available, but voluntary, in:

• Alberta,
• British Columbia,
• Manitoba,
• New Brunswick,
• Newfoundland,
• Nova Scotia,
• Ontario,
• Prince Edward Island, and
• Saskatchewan.

In provinces and territories where certification is not available, it may be possible to study as an apprentice through your local labour organization.

To keep your skills current, you have to keep up with new technological developments by reading and talking with other concrete finishers.

Salary ranges

TYPICAL WORK WEEK/YEAR *

In addition to their hourly rate, many construction workers receive statutory holiday and vacation pay. Depending on the contract, you may also receive benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits up to 30% of your hourly rate.

If you are self-employed, it’s up to you to arrange your own benefits.

* Wages vary across Canada, among labour organization locals and among open-shop construction contractors.

** Most construction work involves overtime, so your annual salary will vary depending on the number of hours you work. The salary range listed above represents the annual salary range for full-time journeyperson concrete finishers across Canada, based on a 40-hour work week, without taking overtime into account.

Building your career

With experience you can progress to supervisory positions. You can also become self-employed and start your own concrete finishing business.

As with most careers in the construction industry, your skills are portable. If you want to move, you can take your skills with you.

Millwright

Are you good at problem-solving? Could you read blueprints and visualize a layout? Do you like working with heavy-duty equipment and machines? Do you like precise work? Are you looking for on-the-job variety? Then, millwright could be the career for you!

What the work is like

Millwrights install, maintain and repair stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment.

They are employed by manufacturing and construction companies, as well as amusement parks and ski hills.

Millwrights work in the heavy industrial, and institutional and commercial construction sectors.

Your duties

As a millwright, your duties may include:

• Inspecting, repairing, cleaning and maintaining industrial machinery and equipment
• Operating cranes and tractors to move machinery
• Operating lathes or grinders to build parts for maintenance of machinery and equipment
• Reading and interpreting blueprints and schematic drawings

Work conditions

The standard work week for millwrights is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). As with many careers in construction, there are peak periods that will require you to work overtime. The number of additional hours you work each week depends on the construction sector and region you work in, and will vary from one job to the next. If you do maintenance work, you may work in shifts.

As a millwright, you may work indoors or outdoors, often closely with other construction professionals including electricians, steamfitter/pipefitters, or welders. The job can be physically demanding—you may have to work with heavy equipment and materials.

As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. Millwrights are trained to work safely, and wear special equipment to protect themselves from injury.

Essential skills

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has identified nine essential skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and are applicable to most construction careers. Best of all, you can learn and improve on these skills in school, on the job, and during your everyday life.

The most important Essential Skills for millwrights are:

• Document use—reading and interpreting documents to extract information
• Oral communication—conveying or exchanging information verbally
• Problem solving—coming up with solutions to challenges
• Decision making—making a choice among options
• Working with others—interacting with co-workers to get the job done
• Computer skills—working with computers to operate machinery or to input/extract information

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is one way of starting out in the construction industry. It involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified millwright, called a journeyperson.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working on the job site. Wages start at about 60% of a journeyperson’s hourly rate and increase during your apprenticeship, until you reach the full rate.

Entering an apprenticeship program

Requirements for millwright apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. In most provinces and territories, you must be at least 16 years old and have a Grade 12 education to enter a millwright apprenticeship program. You must also have courses in mathematics, science and English.

Some provinces and territories offer secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work towards a career as a millwright.

Program length

Apprenticeship training programs for millwrights vary across Canada, but generally involve four 12-month periods, including at least 6,240 hours of on-the-job training, four 8-week blocks of technical training, and a final certificate examination.

Related work experience or completion of a millwright program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship.

Certification

Millwright certification is not required to work as a millwright. It is available, but voluntary, in Ontario. Certification tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional. It also helps you get jobs.

To be certified as a millwright, you usually need to complete a four-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully complete the on-the-job training, technical training and examinations required by the program, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.

If you have over five years of on-the-job experience and some high school, college or industry courses for millwrights, you may be eligible for millwright certification in some provinces and territories.

As a certified millwright, you may attempt the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards’ Red Seal. With a Red Seal, you can work as a millwright anywhere in Canada.

In provinces and territories where certification is not available, it may be possible to study as an apprentice through your local labour organization.

To keep your skills current, you have to keep up with new technological developments by reading and talking with other millwrights.

Salary ranges

TYPICAL WORK WEEK/YEAR *

In addition to their hourly rate, many construction workers receive statutory holiday and vacation pay. Depending on the contract, you may also receive benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits up to 30% of your hourly rate.

If you are self-employed, it’s up to you to arrange your own benefits.

* Wages vary across Canada, among labour organization locals and among open-shop construction contractors.

** Most construction work involves overtime, so your annual salary will vary depending on the number of hours you work. The salary range listed above represents the annual salary range for full-time journeyperson millwrights across Canada, based on a 40-hour work week, without taking overtime into account.

Building your career

With experience and additional training, you can move into more senior positions. Millwrights are involved with a variety of other construction workers, so they make good candidates for promotion to supervisory and superintendent positions.

As with most careers in the construction industry, your skills are portable. If you want to move, you can take your skills with you.

Plumber

Are you looking for on-the-job variety? Do you like working with your hands and with machines? Are you disciplined and precise? Can you visualize detailed structures from drawings? Do you like dealing with people? Then, plumber may be the career for you!

What the work is like

Plumbers install, repair and maintain pipes and plumbing equipment used for water distribution and disposal.

They are employed by construction companies, plumbing contractors and maintenance departments, or they may also be self-employed.

Plumbers work mostly in the new home building and renovation, and institutional and commercial construction sectors.

Your duties

Plumbers usually specialize in either residential or commercial/institutional work.

As a plumber, your duties may include:

• Installing, repairing and maintaining domestic, commercial or industrial plumbing systems
• Marking positions for pipe connections and fixtures in walls and floors
• Cutting openings in walls and floors to accommodate pipes and pipe fittings
• Measuring, cutting, bending and installing pipes using hand and power tools
• Joining pipes using clamps, screws, bolts or cement
• Welding pipes
• Testing pipes for leaks
• Preparing cost estimates
• Reading and interpreting blueprints

Work conditions

The standard work week for plumbers is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). As with many careers in construction, there are peak periods that will require you to work overtime. The number of additional hours you work each week depends on the construction sector and region you work in, and will vary from one job to the next.

As a plumber, you may work outdoors and indoors, alone or with a team of other construction professionals. The work can be physically demanding—you may have to stand or crouch for long periods of time, and you may have to lift heavy materials.

As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. Plumbers are trained to work safely, and take special precautions to protect themselves from injury.

Essential skills

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has identified nine essential skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and are applicable to most construction careers. Best of all, you can learn and improve on these skills in school, on the job, and during your everyday life.

The most important Essential Skills for plumbers are:

• Numeracy—working with numbers to perform calculations
• Significant use of memory—performing tasks that call upon greater memory use than most jobs
• Working with others—interacting with co-workers to get the job done

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is one way of starting out in the construction industry. It involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified plumber, called a journeyperson.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working on the job site. Wages start at about 50% of a journeyperson’s hourly rate and increase during your apprenticeship, until you reach the full rate.

Entering an apprenticeship program

Requirements for plumber apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. In most provinces and territories, you must be at least 16 years old and have a Grade 12 education, or equivalent, to enter a plumber apprenticeship program. You must also have courses in math.

Some provinces and territories offer secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work towards a career as a plumber.

Program length

Apprenticeship training programs for plumbers vary across Canada, but generally involve four 12-month periods, including at least 6,000 hours of on-the-job training, four 8-week blocks of technical training, and a final certificate examination.

Related work experience or completion of a plumber program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship.

Certification

Plumber certification is required in some provinces, and is available but voluntary in most other provinces and territories. Even where certification is voluntary, it is still recommended. Certification tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional. It also helps you get jobs.

To be certified as a plumber, you usually need to complete a four-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully complete the on-the-job training, technical training and examinations required by the program, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.

If you have over five years of construction experience and some high school, college or industry courses in plumbing, you may be eligible for plumber certification in some provinces and territories.

As a certified plumber, you may attempt the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards’ Red Seal. With a Red Seal, you can work as a plumber anywhere in Canada.

Certification for plumbers is compulsory in:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Québec

It is available, but voluntary, in:

• Manitoba
• Newfoundland
• Northwest Territories
• Yukon

In provinces and territories where certification is not available, it may be possible to study as an apprentice through your local labour organization.

To keep your skills current, you have to keep up with new technological developments by reading and talking with other plumbers.

Salary ranges

TYPICAL WORK WEEK/YEAR *

In addition to their hourly rate, many construction workers receive statutory holiday and vacation pay. Depending on the contract, you may also receive benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits up to 30% of your hourly rate.

If you are self-employed, it’s up to you to arrange your own benefits.

* Wages vary across Canada, among labour organizations locals and among open-shop construction contractors.

** Most construction work involves overtime, so your annual salary will vary depending on the number of hours you work. The salary range listed above represents the annual salary range for full-time journeyperson plumbers across Canada, based on a 40-hour work week, without taking overtime into account.

Building your career

With experience and additional training, you can move into more senior positions, including supervisory roles such as foreman or estimator. You can also transfer your skills to other construction trades, such as steamfitter/pipefitter or gasfitter. Another option is to become self-employed and start your own contracting business.

As with most careers in the construction industry, your skills are portable. If you want to move, you can take your skills with you.

Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Do you like working with your hands? Could you work with heavy-duty machinery? Are you strong and physically fit? Are you good at problem solving? Do you like precise work? Would you like working with machines? Then, you could be a heavy equipment mechanic!

What the work is like

Heavy equipment mechanics repair and maintain mobile heavy-duty equipment used in construction, oil and gas, landscaping and similar activities.

They are employed by heavy equipment dealers, railway transport companies and urban transit systems.

Heavy equipment mechanics work in all four construction sectors: new home building and renovation, heavy industrial, institutional and commercial, and civil engineering.

Your duties

Heavy equipment mechanics may specialize in specific types of machinery such as combines or tracked vehicles, or in engine overhaul, power shift transmissions, fuel injection, hydraulics or electronics.

As a heavy equipment mechanic, your duties may include:

• Inspecting bulldozers, cranes, graders and other heavy construction equipment
• Diagnosing malfunctions using computerized and other testing equipment
• Repairing equipment using hand and power tools
• Testing repaired equipment for proper performance
• Cleaning, lubricating and maintaining equipment
• Servicing attachments

Work conditions

There is no standard work week for heavy equipment mechanics. Travel requirements and hours of work vary considerably from one job to another. As with many careers in construction, there are peak periods that will require you to work overtime.

As a heavy equipment mechanic, you may work indoors or outdoors, usually on construction or industrial sites. Depending on the job, you could be working alone or with a team of other construction professionals.

As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. Heavy equipment mechanics are trained to work safely, and take special precautions to protect themselves from injury.

Essential skills

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has identified nine essential skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and are applicable to most construction careers. Best of all, you can learn and improve on these skills in school, on the job, and during your everyday life.

The most important Essential Skills for heavy equipment mechanics are:

• Numeracy—working with numbers to perform calculations
• Significant use of memory—performing tasks that call upon greater memory use than most jobs
• Working with others—interacting with co-workers to get the job done

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is one way of starting out in the construction industry. It involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified heavy equipment mechanic, called a journeyperson.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working on the job site. Wages start at about 60% of a journeyperson’s hourly rate and increase during your apprenticeship, until you reach the full rate.

Entering an apprenticeship program

Requirements for heavy equipment mechanic apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. In most provinces and territories, you must have a Grade 12 education, or equivalent, to enter a heavy equipment mechanic apprenticeship program.

Some provinces and territories offer secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work towards a career as a heavy equipment mechanic.

Program length

Apprenticeship training programs for heavy equipment mechanics vary across Canada, but generally last four years and include at least 9,000 hours of on-the-job training, as well as technical training and a final certificate examination.

Related work experience or completion of a heavy equipment mechanic program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship.

Certification

Heavy equipment mechanic certification is required in Alberta and Québec, and is available but voluntary in all other provinces and territories. Even where certification is voluntary, it is still recommended. Certification tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional. It also helps you get jobs.

To be certified as a heavy equipment mechanic, you usually need to complete a four- to five-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully complete the on-the-job training, technical training and examinations required by the program, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.

If you have over four years of on-the-job experience and some high school, college or industry courses for heavy equipment mechanics, you may be eligible for heavy equipment mechanic certification in some provinces and territories.

As a certified heavy equipment mechanic you may attempt the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards’ Red Seal. With a Red Seal, you can work as a heavy equipment mechanic anywhere in Canada.

To keep your skills current, you have to keep up with new technological developments by reading and talking with other heavy equipment mechanics.

Salary ranges

TYPICAL WORK WEEK/YEAR *

In addition to their hourly rate, many construction workers receive statutory holiday and vacation pay. Depending on the contract, you may also receive benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits up to 30% of your hourly rate.

If you are self-employed, it’s up to you to arrange your own benefits.

* Wages vary across Canada, among labour organization locals, and among open-shop construction contractors.

** Most construction work involves overtime, so your annual salary will vary depending on the number of hours you work. The salary range listed above represents the annual salary range for full-time journeyperson heavy equipment mechanics across Canada, based on a 40-hour work week, without taking overtime into account.

Building your career

With experience and additional training, you can move into more senior positions such as supervisor or service manager.

As with most careers in the construction industry, your skills are portable. If you want to move, you can take your skills with you.

Do you have good communication and reading skills? Do you have a knack for math and working with mechanical things? Are you good with your hands and in good shape? Do you enjoy using tools, figuring out plans and solving problems? Do you get along well with others? Then, you could become an electrician!

What the work is like

Electricians install, test, and repair electrical wiring, fixtures, and related equipment in all types of buildings and structures.

They are employed by electrical contractors and building maintenance departments, or they may be self-employed.

Electricians work in all four construction sectors: new home building and renovation, heavy industrial, institutional and commercial, and civil engineering.

Your duties

As an electrician, your duties may include:

• Installing and repairing lighting fixtures and equipment, including switches and circuit breakers
• Connecting power to communications equipment, signalling devices and heating and cooling systems
• Troubleshooting electronic systems and replacing faulty components
• Conducting preventive maintenance programs
• Reading and interpreting drawings and blueprints

Work conditions

The standard work week for electricians is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). As with many careers in construction, there are peak periods that will require you to work overtime. The number of additional hours you work each week depends on the construction sector and region you work in, and will vary from one job to the next.

As an electrician, you may work indoors and outdoors, independently or with other construction professionals. If you work in renovation or maintenance you may have to deal with customers.

The work can be physically demanding, and you may have to work at heights.

As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. Electricians are trained to work safely, and take special precautions to protect themselves from electrical shocks.

Essential skills

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has identified nine essential skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and are applicable to most construction careers. Best of all, you can learn and improve on these skills in school, on the job, and during your everyday life.

The most important Essential Skills for electricians are:

• Document use—reading and interpreting documents to extract information
• Problem solving—coming up with solutions to challenges
• Computer skills—working with computers to operate machinery or to input/extract information

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is one way of starting out in the construction industry. It involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified electrician, called a journeyperson.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working on the job site. Wages start at about 40% of a journeyperson’s hourly rate and increase during your apprenticeship, until you reach the full rate.

Entering an apprenticeship program

Requirements for electrician apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. In most provinces and territories, you must be at least 16 years old and have a Grade 12 education, or equivalent, to enter an electrician apprenticeship program. You may find it helpful to have courses in English, physics and math.

Some provinces and territories offer secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work towards a career as an electrician.

Program length

Apprenticeship training programs for electricians vary across Canada, but generally involve four 12-month periods, including at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, four 8-week blocks of technical training, and writing a final certificate examination.

Related work experience or completion of an electrical program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship.

Certification

Electrician certification is required in most provinces and territories. Certification tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional. It also helps you get jobs.

To be certified as an electrician, you usually need to complete a four- to five-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully complete the on-the-job training, technical training and examinations required by the program, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.

As a certified electrician you may attempt the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards’ Red Seal. With a Red Seal, you can work as an electrician anywhere in Canada.

Certification for construction electricians is compulsory in:

• Alberta
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Québec
• Saskatchewan
• the Northwest Territories
• the Yukon

It is available, but voluntary, in British Columbia and Manitoba.

In territories where certification is not available, it may be possible to study as an apprentice through your local labour organization.

To keep your skills current, you have to keep up with new technological developments by reading talking with other electricians, and attending upgrading seminars.

Salary ranges

TYPICAL WORK WEEK/YEAR *

In addition to their hourly rate, many construction workers receive statutory holiday and vacation pay. Depending on the contract, you may also receive benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits up to 30% of your hourly rate.

If you are self-employed, it’s up to you to arrange your own benefits.

* Wages vary across Canada, among labour organization locals and among open-shop construction contractors.

** Most construction work involves overtime, so your annual salary will vary depending on the number of hours you work. The salary range listed above represents the annual salary range for full-time journeyperson electricians across Canada, based on a 40-hour work week, without taking overtime into account.

Building your career

With experience and additional training you can move into more senior positions such as estimator or electrical inspector, or into supervisory roles such as foreman or superintendent. You can also become self-employed and start your own contracting business.

As with most careers in the construction industry, your skills are portable. If you want to move, you can take your skills with you.

Job prospects

Construction careers across Canada are booming! To learn about the forecast for electricians, check out Job prospects. There you’ll find information on the expected demand by province for electricians from 2006 to 2014.

Do you like working with wood or steel? Can you be precise and accurate in your work? Are you creative? Are you good with your hands? Do you have an eye for detail? Do you have strong math skills? Then, you could be a carpenter!

What the work is like

The largest single group of skilled workers in Canada, carpenters build, install, maintain and repair structures made of wood or wood substitutes.

They are employed by construction companies, carpentry contractors and maintenance departments or they may be self-employed.

Carpenters work mostly in the new home building and renovation, heavy industrial, and institutional and commercial construction sectors.

Your duties

As a carpenter, your duties may include:

• Building foundations, installing floor beams, laying sub-flooring, and installing walls and roofing systems
• Fitting and installing trim, doors, stairs, moulding and hardware
• Measuring, cutting and joining materials made of wood or wood substitutes
• Repairing and renovating wooden structures
• Preparing cost estimates for clients
• Reading and interpreting blueprints, drawings and sketches

Work conditions

Carpenters’ working conditions vary from one job to another. Some carpenters work indoors and work a standard 40-hour week (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). Other carpenters work mostly outdoors and may work varied hours, depending on the demands of the project.

As with many careers in construction, there are peak periods that will require you to work overtime. The number of additional hours you work each week depends on the construction sector and region you work in, and will vary from one job to the next.

Carpenters may work alone, in teams, or with helpers. The job can be physically demanding. You will often have to lift heavy materials and work with sharp tools. The work is also mentally challenging—you may have to make quick mental calculations.

As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. Carpenters are trained to work safely, and take special precautions to protect themselves from injury.

Essential skills

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has identified nine essential skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and are applicable to most construction careers. Best of all, you can learn and improve on these skills in school, on the job, and during your everyday life.

The most important Essential Skills for carpenters are:

• Document use—reading and interpreting documents to extract information
• Numeracy—working with numbers to perform calculations
• Problem solving—coming up with solutions to challenges

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is one way of starting out in the construction industry. It involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified carpenter, called a journeyperson.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working on the job site. Wages start at about 60% of a journeyperson’s hourly rate and increase during your apprenticeship, until you reach the full rate.

Entering an apprenticeship program

Requirements for carpenter apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. You are usually required to complete secondary school. You may find it helpful to enrol in math, shop, industrial arts, and mechanical drawing courses in high school.

Some provinces and territories offer secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work towards a career as a carpenter.

Program length

Carpenter apprenticeship programs vary across Canada, but generally involve four 12-month periods, including at least 5,440 hours of on-the-job training and four 8-week blocks of technical training.

Related work experience or completion of a carpenter program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship.

Certification

Carpenter certification is required in Québec. It is available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and territories. Even where certification is voluntary, it is still recommended. Certification tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional. It also helps you get jobs.

To be certified as a carpenter, you usually need to complete a four-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully complete the on-the-job training, technical training and examinations required by the program, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.

If you have over four years of on-the-job experience and some high school, college or industry courses in boilermaking, you may be eligible for carpenter certification.

Once certified, you may attempt the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards’ Red Seal. With a Red Seal, you can work as a carpenter anywhere in Canada.

To keep your skills current, you have to keep up with new technological developments by reading and talking with other carpenters.

Salary ranges

TYPICAL WORK WEEK/YEAR *

In addition to their hourly rate, many construction workers receive statutory holiday and vacation pay. Depending on the contract, you may also receive benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits of up to 30% of your hourly rate.

If you are self-employed, it’s up to you to arrange your own benefits.

* Wages vary across Canada, among labour organizations locals and among open-shop construction contractors.

** Most construction work involves overtime, so your annual salary will vary depending on the number of hours you work. The salary range listed above represents the annual salary range for full-time journeyperson carpenters across Canada, based on a 40-hour work week, without taking overtime into account.

Building your career

With experience and additional training, you can move into supervisory positions, such as foreman or construction superintendent. You can also become self-employed and work as a contractor or subcontractor.

As with most careers in the construction industry, your skills are portable. If you want to move, you can take your skills with you.

Job prospects

Construction careers across Canada are booming! To learn about the forecast for carpenters, check out Job prospects. There you’ll find information on the expected demand by province for carpenters from 2006 to 2014.