Teamster

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

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

Responsibilities

• Safely operate kitchen equipment
• Prepare meals and cook using grills, ovens & fryers

Carpenters bring an architect’s blueprints to life by working with wood, vinyl, plastic and other materials to create the interior and exterior of structures. They can work with construction companies, carpentry contractors and maintenance departments or they can be self-employed.

Responsibilities

• Read blueprints, drawings and sketches
• Measure, cut and join materials made of wood or wood substitutes

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
• Perform dry finishing & remedial work

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

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

Floor covering installers, also known as floorlayers, install all types of flooring materials, including carpet, sheet vinyl, linoleum, luxury vinyl tile, hardwood, laminate and even sports surfaces. Floorlayers work in commercial, residential and institutional settings and install floor coverings in structures such as office buildings, schools, hotels, homes and hospitals.

Responsibilities

• Estimate materials, measure and mark guidelines on surfaces
• Cut covering & foundation materials according to blueprints and sketches

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!

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret drawings & specifications
• Measure, cut, fit, install and/or secure glass panes, window parts & architectural metals

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
• Pre-cleans work areas

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
• Read blueprints & specifications

Millwrights install, service, diagnose and repair stationary machinery and heavy equipment used in many industries. They work on a range of equipment such as pumps, compressors, turbines and mining equipment using a combination of hand and power tools, including welding equipment. They can develop skills in areas such as hydraulics, electronics and other specializations.

Responsibilities

• Detect and troubleshoot mechanical problems and malfunctions
• Repair or replace defective machinery parts

Operating engineers work as heavy equipment operators, crane operators, mechanics and welders. Industries include construction, road building, paving, mining, marine, & oil and gas. They are highly skilled and masters in the operation of specialized equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operate high technology equipment with computer-controlled systems
• Conduct pre/post operational checks & perform minor repairs on equipment

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
• Read and interpret blueprints

Piledrivers install pipes and poles vertically deep into the ground to support buildings of all sizes. On roads and highways, they construct overpasses and bridges. In water, they build structures under the sea, from container ship docks to ferry terminals.

Responsibilities

• Ability to weld and rig
• Operate heavy-duty equipment

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

Scaffolders assemble systems that are temporary structures used to support equipment and material, and to provide access for workers in the construction and maintenance of buildings and facilities. Scaffolders can work in almost all sectors of the construction industry, including residential, commercial, industrial and maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Unload scaffolding material
• Set up base plates and scaffold tubes

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

• Read blueprints, drawings and sketches
• Measure, cut and join materials made of wood or wood substitutes

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