Welcome to the College of the BC Building Trades

Bricklayers prepare, lay brick and other masonry units to construct and repair structures such as walls, partitions, fireplaces and chimneys. They also lay or install fire brick or castable materials on commercial or industrial projects.

Camp Workers plan, prepare and serve meals and clean facilities in remote construction camps. These hospitality workers play a critical role on site!

Carpenters take the designs made by architects and turn them into reality. We use materials like wood, vinyl and plastic to build both the inside and outside parts of houses and other structures. Carpenters can work for construction companies, on maintenance crews, or run their own business.

Concrete Finishers/Cement Masons place, level and finish perishable concrete in various settings, including residential, commercial, industrial and institutional construction. They install overlayments and perform repairs to restore deteriorated surfaces, as well as install structural and machine base grouts.

The Construction Craft Worker Trade appeals to people who enjoy being physically active, working outdoors and using various manual and power tools. Construction craft workers work in many different industries, including civil construction, road building, highrise construction, demolition, dam and tunnel construction, pipelines and various others.

Crane Operators must work in various environmental and hazardous conditions and occasionally in confined spaces under minimal supervision. Crane operators operate various makes and models of lattice boom, telescopic boom, and boom truck cranes. They may also be required to perform minor crane repairs and maintenance.

Drywall Finishers tape and finish wallboard (drywall). They also apply, maintain and restore plaster and similar materials on interior and exterior walls, ceilings and building partitions to make them more decorative, soundproof and fire-rated.

Electricians design, plan, install, repair and maintain electrical systems in homes, commercial buildings, industrial complexes and retail buildings. There’s also growing demand for specialized work with controls, Internet of Things (IoT), renewable energy projects, fibre optics and communication and computer networks.

Glaziers fabricate, install and repair commercial and residential window, door and entranceway systems. They can work with construction glass installation contractors, interior design and architectural firms, and glass fabrication shops. There is always a demand for glaziers!

Hazardous Materials Abatement Workers identify, remove, package, transport and dispose of hazardous materials such as asbestos, mould, lead, mercury, PCBs and other biological hazards.

Heavy Equipment Operators operate heavy machinery such as articulating haul trucks, loaders, excavators, backhoes, dozers, graders, rollers, and skid steers. These machines are universally used for all heavy construction, including earthmoving, road building, mining, and forestry. Operators are responsible for safe equipment operations, basic equipment maintenance, the application of markers, grades and stakes, and the heavy equipment GPS guiding systems.

Insulators apply, remove and repair thermal and acoustical insulation using a range of insulation materials (e.g., fibreglass, mineral wool, styrofoam, etc.) on all types of mechanical equipment, such as plumbing and piping systems, HVAC systems, heat exchangers, tanks, vessels and other mechanical systems.

Ironworkers rig, handle and place all the rebar, post tensioning and structural steel on a construction site such as columns, beams, girders and more. In B.C., they can work on high rise & commercial buildings, bridges, tunnels, dams, mines, stadiums and other structures. An ironworker generalist is trained in both reinforcing and structural steel.

Painters/Decorators apply decorative and protective finishes in commercial, institutional and industrial settings. They prepare a variety of surfaces (wood, masonry, drywall, plaster, concrete, synthetics, stucco and metal) prior to the application of materials such as paint, high performance coatings, waterproofing, fireproofing, varnish, shellac, wall coverings, and specialty finishes.

Plumbers, Steamfitters and Sprinklerfitters are all part of the Piping Trades. Each trade is unique and offers different career opportunities. They can work in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial construction, as well as in refineries, LNG facilities and shipyards.

Refrigeration Mechanics fabricate, install, alter, repair and service equipment that freezes, cools and/or heats. This equipment is used in the industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sectors. They will also have a B Gas Fitter ticket when their apprenticeship is complete.

Scaffolders build temporary structures that help support tools, materials, and give workers safe access to high or hard-to-reach places during construction or repairs. They work in many areas of construction like residential, commercial and industrial settings.

Sheet Metal Workers lay out, fabricate, assemble, weld, install and service a variety of projects such as HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), industrial, kitchen and hospital equipment, and architectural work. A Sheet metal worker requires highly specialized and up-to-date skills to accomplish the various tasks involved in the trade.

Teamsters move crews and materials using a pickup truck to a rock truck to a nine axle lowboy. There is no sector of industry, be it heavy construction, agriculture, manufacturing, road building, or oil and gas, which does not require the services of teamsters. Teamsters drive a wide range of motorized vehicles in a safe and skillful manner.

Wall & Ceiling Installers frame interior walls and install window frames, doors, partitions and computer floors. They hang drywall, T-bar ceilings and suspended ceilings