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.
Responsibilities
Read sketches & blueprints to calculate materials required
Measure and construct corners first, using a plumb line & mason’s level to ensure level layers
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.
Responsibilities
Place and finish concrete in construction walls & floors and curbs & sidewalks
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.
Responsibilities
Handle, transport and distribute various construction materials
Perform various duties involving lifting, carrying tool use and machinery management
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.
Responsibilities
Safely perform inspections, lifts, transport, and maintain cranes
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.
Responsibilities
Apply assorted beads, reveal and shadow trims that transform ordinary walls into “Drywall Art”
Mix and apply filling compounds, then sand them to create a smooth finish
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.
Responsibilities
Plan new systems and upgrade older systems, wiring, receptacles & light fixtures
Install fiber optic systems, fire alarms, security & data systems
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.
Responsibilities
Comply with safety procedures, provincial regulations and federal laws
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.
Responsibilities
Safe operation of haul trucks, loaders, dozers, excavators, graders, and other heavy equipment
Operate heavy paving equipment safely for building roads
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.
Responsibilities
Measure and cut insulating material & coverings to required shape and dimension
Fit insulation around obstructions or shape insulation materials & protective coverings
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.
Responsibilities
Select, cut, bend, position and secure steel bars & wire mesh to reinforce concrete
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.
Responsibilities
Use, maintain and repair various types of spray pumps, spray guns, pressure washing equipment and sand blasting equipment & related components
Plumbers, steamfitters and sprinkler fitters 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.
Responsibilities
Plumbers study building plans and install underground, sanitary and water piping systems
Steamfitters lay out, assemble, fabricate, maintain and repair piping systems
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.
Responsibilities
Comprehend schematic diagrams and troubleshooting
Measure, cut and connect piping using welding and brazing equipment
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.
Responsibilities
Lay out, measure and mark sheet metal according to drawings or templates
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
Responsibilities
Use architectural blueprints to lay out walls and ceilings for a project
Assemble interior and exterior walls, ceilings and partitions
Interested in working in the Canadian construction industry but not sure which trade is the best fit for you? Check out the many skilled trades in British Columbia and start your career journey here.