Entries tagged with “construction sectors”.
Did you find what you wanted?
Sat 1 Mar 2008
Steamfitter / Pipefitter
Also known as:
- apprentice pipefitter-steamfitter
- fire sprinkler fitter
- marine pipefitter
- sprinkler system fitter
- sprinkler system installer
- sprinkler system installer apprentice
|
|
|
|
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 *
| JOURNEYPERSON |
|
| ANNUAL SALARY RANGE ** |
| |
|
|
| LOW |
|
HIGH |
| |
|
|
| $56,160 |
|
$72,800 |
| |
|
|
|
| HOURLY SALARY RANGE |
| LOW |
HIGH |
| $27 |
$35 |
| |
| APPRENTICE |
| HOURLY SALARY RANGE |
| |
LOW |
HIGH |
| YEAR 1 – 50 % |
$ 13.50 |
$ 17.50 |
| YEAR 2 – 60 % |
$ 16.20 |
$ 21.00 |
| YEAR 3 – 70 % |
$ 18.90 |
$ 24.50 |
| YEAR 4 – 80% |
$ 21.60 |
$ 28.00 |
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.
Sat 1 Mar 2008
Roofer
Also known as:
- apprentice roofer
- asphalt roofer
- built-up roofer
- flat roofer
- residential steep roofer
- shingler
- single-ply 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:
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 *
| JOURNEYPERSON |
|
| ANNUAL SALARY RANGE ** |
| |
|
|
| LOW |
|
HIGH |
| |
|
|
| $43,680 |
|
$62,400 |
| |
|
|
|
| HOURLY SALARY RANGE |
| LOW |
HIGH |
| $21 |
$30 |
| |
| APPRENTICE |
| HOURLY SALARY RANGE |
| |
LOW |
HIGH |
| YEAR 1 – 65 % |
$ 13.65 |
$ 19.50 |
| YEAR 2 – 75 % |
$ 15.75 |
$ 22.50 |
| YEAR 3 – 85 % |
$ 17.85 |
$ 25.50 |
| YEAR 4 – 95% |
$ 19.95 |
$ 28.50 |
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.
Sat 1 Mar 2008
Plasterer and Drywaller
Also known as:
- acoustical ceiling installer
- ceiling installer
- drywall applicator
- drywall finisher
- drywall installer and finisher apprentice
- drywall taper
- interior systems mechanic
- lather
- lather apprentice
- plasterer
- plasterer apprentice
- sheetrock applicator
- wood lather
|
|
|
|
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 *
| JOURNEYPERSON |
|
| ANNUAL SALARY RANGE ** |
| |
|
|
| LOW |
|
HIGH |
| |
|
|
| $35,360 |
|
$60,320 |
| |
|
|
|
| HOURLY SALARY RANGE |
| LOW |
HIGH |
| $17 |
$29 |
| |
| APPRENTICE |
| HOURLY SALARY RANGE |
| |
LOW |
HIGH |
| YEAR 1 – 45 % |
$ 7.65 |
$ 13.05 |
| YEAR 2 – 60 % |
$ 10.25 |
$ 17.40 |
| YEAR 3 – 75 % |
$ 12.75 |
$ 21.75 |
| YEAR 4 – 90 % |
$ 15.30 |
$ 26.10 |
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.
Sat 1 Mar 2008
Concrete Finisher
Also known as:
- cement finisher apprentice
- cement mason
- concrete mason
- precast 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 *
| JOURNEYPERSON |
|
| ANNUAL SALARY RANGE ** |
| |
|
|
| LOW |
|
HIGH |
| |
|
|
| $45,760 |
|
$68,640 |
| |
|
|
|
| HOURLY SALARY RANGE |
| LOW |
HIGH |
| $22 |
$33 |
| |
|
|
| APPRENTICE |
|
| HOURLY SALARY RANGE |
|
| |
LOW |
HIGH |
| YEAR 1 – 60 % |
$ 13.20 |
$ 19.80 |
| YEAR – 75 % |
$ 16.50 |
$ 24.75 |
| YEAR – 85 % |
$ 18.70 |
$ 28.05 |
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.
Sat 1 Mar 2008
Plumber
Also known as:
- maintenance plumber
- plumber apprentice
- plumbing mechanic
|
|
| |
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 *
| JOURNEYPERSON |
|
| ANNUAL SALARY RANGE ** |
| |
|
|
| LOW |
|
HIGH |
| |
|
|
| $54,080 |
|
$72,800 |
| |
|
|
|
| HOURLY SALARY RANGE |
| LOW |
HIGH |
| $26 |
$35 |
| |
| APPRENTICE |
| HOURLY SALARY RANGE |
| |
LOW |
HIGH |
| YEAR 1 – 50 % |
$ 13.00 |
$ 17.50 |
| YEAR 2 – 60 % |
$ 15.60 |
$ 21.00 |
| YEAR 3 – 70 % |
$ 18.20 |
$ 24.50 |
| YEAR 4 – 80 % |
$ 20.80 |
$ 28.00 |
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.