Industry Profile -- by Mark Sproxton

There are about 30 different trades that make up the construction industry in Alberta, employing enough people to make it one of the province's biggest industries (click here for more information about trades in Alberta). With so much variety among those trades, it is difficult to find generalities that exist throughout the industry -- except, that is, when it comes to job searching. No matter how different one trade is from another, almost all employers look for similar qualities in the people they hire.

The days of people working in the construction industry with a Grade 9 or Grade 10 education are over. While there are many job opportunities in construction, those with higher levels of education are most often the ones who receive the employment opportunities. Employers with the Calgary Construction Association (CCA) said they would not automatically turn away anyone without Grade 12, but would certainly ask why a prospective employee had no diploma.

"You need to have Grade 12," said a member of the CCA gathered for a meeting with nextSteps. "Grade 12 shows commitment. Communication skills and team work abilities are key. If you drop out of school, maybe you're lacking those skills. Grade 12 is critical from that aspect."

With $17.7 billion forecast on construction spending in 1999 alone, needless to say there are many opportunities in the industry. Skilled workers are needed so badly, the Alberta Construction Association predicts a labor shortage in the province for at least three more years. That's not to say employers are hiring anyone who walks off the street. "I feel much better about someone who comes and says 'I want to be a scaffolder,' rather than 'I want a job,'" said another CCA member.

As the construction industry often experiences shortages of apprentices in many of the trades, the CCA members recommend researching a particular trade before looking for that type of work. Much can be learned by visiting career centres, reading, or asking people working in the field. Once you find a trade to your liking, don't apply for a job at a construction site, go to a company's office neatly dressed with a resume. Many companies will hire an employee for a trial period of 90 days or so, and then set them up in an apprenticeship program, the CCA members said. That may vary, however, depending on the employer and the trade. As apprenticeships are a cost to the employer, some have to be pressured more than others before they'll put someone into a program. Apprenticeship programs take three or four years to complete and include specified periods of schooling, along with a certain number of at-work hours. A good place to start looking into apprenticeship programs is SAIT or NAIT.

Once you've selected a trade and completed an apprenticeship, many opportunities will be yours. Construction is one of the few industries where you can readily move up the career ladder. On almost any work site, a foreman, or the person with authority, will be someone who started as a tradesman and worked his way up the ranks. These people not only assume more responsibility, but are paid more as well. And in an industry that can see workers earning over $25 per hour -- remembering that good workers work year-round no matter how weak or strong the economic situation -- that's good money.

More and more women are also entering the industry, for many of the same reasons men pursue construction. The offer of good pay, and the satisfaction of seeing your work completed in a long-lasting structure are two of the most common reasons people work in construction. Though the majority of construction workers are still men, the majority of the CCA members said they either have women working for them now, or have in the past. The abundance of opportunity in the industry has also made it simpler for women to get a start in the industry, and to forge a long career.

In Alberta, the majority of work sites are open-shop, or non-union workplaces. Some trades have more union interaction than others, though. Regardless, all trades, and all work sites, are under strict safety codes. "The level of safety now compared to 10 years ago is heads and tails more," said a CCA member. "Lots of organizations call for a zero per cent accident rate."

As there are about 30 construction related trades, we've only listed a small sample here. For a more complete list of the construction trades visit www.abconst.org, www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca, or call 1-800-661-3753.

• Concrete Finisher -- These workers place and finish concrete floors, drieveways, sidewalks, curbs, and other concrete structures. Wages for a journeyman range from $14 to $21 or more.
• Gasfitters -- These workers service, install, test and adjust natural gas and propane equipment in residential or industrial settings. Wages for a journeyman range from $15 to $25 or more.
• Sheet Metal Worker -- These workers install, assemble, and repair sheet metal products for a variety of industries. Wages for a journeyman range from $15 to $25 or more.
• Tilesetters -- These workers use ceramic, marble, slate, stone, granite and other materials to cover, repair or decorate interior or exterior walls and floors. Wages for a journeyman range from $17 to $22 or more.