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Industry Profile -- by Mark Sproxton
If hard work and a steady career sound interesting, the construction
industry deserves a look. The Alberta Construction Association
predicts the employment opportunities for trained workers, and those
interested in training, will continue to grow to 2005.
Alberta's construction sector employs about 140,000 people (a 1995
Export Services Survey identified 81,000 employees). And the size of
company for which those people work are many. As this industry
requires very specific skills, there are many opportunities for
people with those abilities to be self-employed, work with a small
business or a huge, national company.
This month's Jump Start looks at a program by the Calgary
Construction Association designed to help those without experience,
but interested in learning more about a trade, get hands-on work
experience. The Hot Tip offers answers to common questions about
working in any of the dozens of construction trades.
In the first Feature, painter Rick Lang tells us the rewards of being
owner/operator of a painting company, while in the second Feature,
Lyle Wunderlich sheds some light on working in the interior system mechanic trade.
Glazier Doug Burtch, in the Career Mirror, speaks
of the satisfactions and demands of working with industrial glass,
while bricklayer Ron Thibeault talks about the need for
young blood in his trade. The Book Look and Site Seeing sections reveal a couple of other
sources providing some related career information.
Here's a brief summary of some of the jobs available in this industry:
Carpenters build things like frames and walls with wood and other materials. Most work takes place outdoors and those considering apprenticing must have completed at least Grade 9.
Apprenticeship in this trade lasts four years.
- Pay will range from $17,000 to $60,000 or more a year.
- Above average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Bricklayers work mainly outdoors using bricks, stones and other masonry materials to build or repair things like
walls and chimneys. Those considering apprenticing must have
completed at least Grade 9. Apprenticeship in this trade lasts three
years.
- Pay will range from $30,000 to $90,000 or more a year.
- Above average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Plasterers work primarily outdoors applying materials such as stucco but may also do some interior work. After three years work experience, plasterers can apply to write a theory
exam for their occupational certificate.
- Pay will range from $21,000 to $50,000 or more a year.
- Below average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Glaziers cut and install glass and aluminum in buildings and/or vehicles in a variety of settings. Those considering
apprenticing must have completed at least Grade 9. Apprenticeship in
this trade lasts four years (two years for those in the auto glass
classification).
- Pay will range from $15,000 to $55,000 or more a year.
- Above average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Insulators install or repair many types of insulation in a variety of situations including on vessels and some
duct piping in indoor and outdoor settings. Those considering
apprenticing must have completed at least Grade 9. Apprenticeship in
this trade lasts four years.
- Pay will range from $12,000 to $60,000 or more a year.
- Above average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Painters apply paint and other materials to indoor and outdoor walls and other surfaces.Those considering apprenticing must have completed at least Grade 9. Apprenticeship in this trade
lasts four years.
- Pay will range from $19,000 to $75,000 or more a year.
- Below average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Here are some similar careers previously featured by nextSteps:
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