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Jump Start -- by Mark Sproxton
Work experience in the floor covering or tilesetter trades, and
potentially a long-lasting career, rests only a phone call away.
"There are employers regularly contacting me," said Andrea Dodd,
co-ordinator with the Calgary Construction Association's (CCA) Youth
Employment Program. "Usually, within a week of someone showing
interest in that field I can set up a work experience. There seems to
be more opportunities than people."
The CCA program is available to 16-24 year olds who are underemployed
or unemployed. After Dodd meets interested candidates, she matches
employers to employees who sign up for three-week work opportunities.
If the employer is satisfied with the person's work, most often they
are offered a job.
"Anyone who's been interested, I've been able to place them because
it's an in-demand area," Dodd said of the flooring trades. "If you're
looking long term, there are tons of opportunities."
Work experiences are available in over 40 construction-related trades
through the program. The construction industry in general is pushing
to find young workers as the Alberta workforce is quickly aging and
new employees are sorely needed.
Dodd can be reached by phone at 262-4898.
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Here's a list with information on industry tips, education/training/apprenticeships, along with a host
of links to associations/organizations/businesses
and some links to online job boards that may also
help get you land a career in flooring:
Industry tips
- The flooring industry includes two apprenticeship trades,
tilesetter and floor covering installer. An apprenticeship means
someone is earning a wage while learning on-the-job and through
specified classroom training. More information about apprenticeships
in Alberta can also be found through the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Web
site.
- Work in this industry requires travelling throughout the city,
and sometimes outside the city, meaning a driver's licence will help
land a job.
Education/training/apprenticeships
Those still in high school may be able to enrol in the Registered
Apprentice Program (RAP) which is the feature of this month's Hot Tip.
The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) offers the
in-school courses related to the tilesetting trade.
The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
association has many details on the educational and training
requirements for the tilesetting (3.5 years) and floor covering
installation (three years) trades.
Associations/organizations/businesses
Job boards
- Calgary Herald
- Calgary Sun
- The Calgary Youth Employment Centre has numerous construction jobs posted on a job board that are NOT posted on the Internet.
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