Category: Featured Articles

When cars break down, mechanics can often fix them by repairing the engine, dealing with rust, or putting on new bumpers. Being a car mechanic is something that people can do in almost any city or town, and there will always be work. Being a motorboat mechanic is a much more specialized job, but it could be the right career for you.

Motors are complicated pieces of equipment, and many things can go wrong with them. Motorboat mechanics work with two types of motors: inboard motors, which are on larger boats like yachts, and outboard motors, which are attached to smaller boats and can more easily be taken off and fixed in a shop. Both kinds of motor have various moving parts that can break or become worn out.

Mechanics who work with motorboats need to know as much as possible about the machines that they fix. A high school diploma is usually necessary for work in this area, and trade school courses in motors can be helpful. Working as an apprentice is also a good idea if people are able to do that, even informally, at summer jobs. Like with many trades, learning on the job is a good way of getting into this type of work.

Depending on what they specialize in, motorboat mechanics might work mainly indoors or outside. For inboard motors on yachts and other larger boats, mechanics have to go to where the ship is docked, usually on an ocean or a large lake. This might mean that the mechanic has to live near one of the coasts or an area like the Great Lakes. Since outboard motors can be removed from their boats, mechanics who specialize in these types of machines can have their own workshops where they repair the motors before putting them back onto the boats.

Like most trades, motorboat mechanic wages can vary, depending on experience and location. In general, pay starts at about $21 per hour and can reach $39 after a few years. In small shops, mechanics might earn less than in larger places, but the work can be more varied and interesting in small companies.

People who work as motorboat mechanics need a certain amount of strength to be able to work with heavy machines, and they need to be good with their hands. An ability to work with other people is important, and a knowledge of basic bookkeeping is useful, especially for mechanics who work on their own. Even in a larger company, mechanics might have to meet with clients to discuss what they need.

Working hours for motorboat mechanics can vary. In much of Canada, lakes and rivers are frozen in winter and using boats is impossible. Mechanics are unlikely to get much work at that time of the year, but they can be very busy in spring and summer. Having another source of income is likely to be necessary for many motorboat mechanics, but the skills they learn in their work can also apply to many other jobs.

Do you like to work with your hands and to fix machines? Why not consider becoming a motorboat mechanic?

Bibliography:

CareerPlanner.com. “Motorboat Mechanics.” https://job-descriptions.careerplanner.com/Motorboat-Mechanics.cfm.

Payscale Canada. “Marine Mechanic: Hourly Rate.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Marine_Mechanic/Hourly_Rate.

State University.com. “Motorboat Mechanic.” http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/776/Motorboat-Mechanic.html.

In Canada and other cold countries, insulation is important for keeping people warm and preventing pipes in buildings from freezing. In summer, insulation in floors, ceilings, and walls helps to keep homes cool in hot weather and reduces noise. Working with insulation is very useful, and this trade can be a good choice for people who like to work with their hands.

Much of the work of people in the insulation trade happens during the construction of a building. Workers blow or roll insulation into walls or attics to help keep buildings climate-controlled and to reduce moisture. Some insulation is also necessary for reducing noise, such as between apartments in a building where many different people live. In schools that teach music or theatre, insulation might also be necessary to keep one musician from drowning out another.

Installing insulation often involves cutting larger pieces down to the right size using saws, knives, and other tools. With other types of insulation, the work may involve weighing out the right amount to insert into the area. Some types of insulation require special tools to spread the material throughout the space that needs to be filled. Making accurate measurements is very important so that the building will stay at the right temperature.

Some insulation workers learn on the job, but many enrol in apprenticeships through career colleges. Insulation worker apprenticeships are three or four eight-week periods with both classroom work and practical experience. Normally, this training takes about a year to complete. Beginning salaries start at about $17 per hour or $36,000 per year and can rise to $32 per hour or $69,000 per year. Insulation work is a Red Seal trade, meaning that the training in one province is valid in others, as well.

Like with many other trades, being able to read instructions and make calculations is important. High school courses in English and mathematics are useful, as well as anything that gives people experience in working with their hands. Being able to work alone or with people is important, as well as being able to work quickly and efficiently when necessary.

In Canada, most new construction of buildings happens in spring, summer, and fall. Some insulation work may be possible during the winter, but people in this field might want to find other work for that season.  People will also need help with putting new insulation in their buildings since it tends to become compacted over time and needs replacement. This can also help with energy efficiency, which is important to many.

The materials used for insulation can be harmful to people’s health if they breathe in too much of it. Wearing a mask at work is important for people in this trade. Besides breathing in harmful substances, insulation workers can get small injuries like cuts, scrapes, and other wounds. Working on the upper floors of a building can also be dangerous. Taking safety precautions is very important in this job.

A job as an insulation worker can be a good choice for people who like to work with their hands and to help make homes and offices more comfortable and energy efficient. If this describes you, why not consider this trade?

Bibliography

Career Planner. Job Duties and Tasks for: ‘Insulation Worker, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall.” https://job-descriptions.careerplanner.com/Insulation-Workers-Floor-Ceiling-and-Wall.cfm.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. “Insulator (Heat and Frost).” https://www.nait.ca/programs/insulator?term=1-winter.

Owl Guru. “Floor, Ceiling and Wall Insulation Workers: Salary, Job Description, How to Become One, and Quiz.” https://www.owlguru.com/career/insulation-workers-floor-ceiling-and-wall/.

Payscale Canada. “Average Insulation Hourly Rate (Canada).” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Insulation_Installer/Hourly_Rate.

Red Seal. “Insulator (Heat and Frost).” https://www.red-seal.ca/eng/trades/.3ns.5l.1t.4r.shtml

Salary Expert. “Insulation Worker: Floor, Ceiling, and Wall.” https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/insulation-worker-floor-ceiling-and-wall/canada/quebec

Melting snow and warmer weather in spring bring road repairs in many parts of Canada. Many people are involved in this work, but some of the most important ones are paving and surface equipment operators.  For anyone interested in operating heavy machinery, this career could be a good choice. The condition of many roads in spring and other times of the year means that the skills of a paving and surface equipment operator will always be in demand.

Operating heavy equipment like the machines that resurface roads takes strength and skill. People in this trade need to monitor the thickness of asphalt in the mixer and ensure that the road surface is evenly covered. The machine itself can have complicated controls, which the worker needs to learn to use. The work can be dusty and hot, and the equipment is often very loud, which can sometimes make the work unpleasant.

Like most work in construction, paving, and surface equipment operator work is seasonal and heavily dependent on the weather. Although construction often continues even in bad conditions, a severe storm can cause major delays. People in this trade should be prepared to deal with heat, cold, dampness, and many other kinds of situations that are less than ideal.

Generally, workers need to finish an entire section of road or sidewalk so that it will dry and harden as one piece. This could mean working late into the evening or even at night. Although paving and surface equipment operators often work regular days, they should also be flexible enough to work overtime when necessary.

Having a license to drive large equipment is necessary for this job. Some employers might also require a commercial driver’s license, especially if it becomes necessary to move equipment from one place to another. High school is normally a requirement, especially if it includes courses in dealing with large machines.

Some employers might require employees to complete a one- or two-year apprenticeship, and possibly some college or industry courses. Trade certification is necessary for working in Quebec and is available but voluntary in the Northwest Territories, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nunavut. Some employers might also have their own systems of certification or apprenticeships for their employees, and on-the-job training is common.

Knowing about the equipment and safety procedures is essential in this job. Starting and shutting down the equipment can be complicated. Making a mistake can potentially injure workers or damage the equipment, and it can cause delays in the work. Reading all instructions carefully and remembering them can help to keep workers safe. Good observational skills are also essential to be able to notice any potential problems, such as children playing nearby or rough sections of the road.

Wages for paving and surface equipment operators begin at $22 per hour or about $45,000 per year and can rise to $32 per hour or $69,000 per year.  Operating equipment is not as strenuous as other construction jobs, and people can often stay in this work for many years. However, it can be tiring and hard on the eyes, and moving to a more supervisory role later in life is a good idea.

Working as a paving and surface equipment operator is a good choice for people who like being involved in construction and helping to make transportation run smoothly. If you have the necessary qualities, it could be a good job for you.

Bibliography:

Indeed. “Asphalt Paving Operator.” https://ca.indeed.com/Asphalt-Paving-Operator-jobs?vjk=bebd40acf94648ad.

Payscale Canada. “Asphalt Paving Machine Operator: Hourly Rate.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Asphalt_Paving_Machine_Operator/Hourly_Rate.

Statistics Canada. “National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011.” https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3VD.pl?Function=getVD&TVD=122372&CVD=122376&CPV=7521&CST=01012011&CLV=4&MLV=4.

Your Free Career Test. “What does a Paving Equipment Operator do?” https://www.yourfreecareertest.com/paving-equipment-operator/.

Machines are part of all of our lives, but some people make a career of working with them. Tradespeople who set up or operate machines like lathes, milling machines, and grinders are called machinists. If you can work with very precise measurements and handle different machines safely, the job of a machinist is a good choice for you.

Like many other people in the trades, machinists often work closely with the construction industry. This means that much of the work happens in spring, summer, and fall when the weather is warm enough for people to be outside for long periods. Still, the machinists themselves normally don’t have to work outside and deal with the weather. Most machinists work in factories, where they produce the metal parts that other people use for their work. Machinists can also work with car parts and might even help with assembling vehicles.

Being a machinist requires a certain amount of physical strength and endurance. Lifting heavy objects is often part of the job, and standing in one place to work on a machine is also often necessary, although some machinists might be able to move around. Many machinists who work in large factories have to do shift work, meaning that they might have to work early in the morning or late at night, or even through the night.

Starting wages for machinists are close to $18 per hour and can rise to almost $34 per hour. Many machinists leave the trade after fifteen or twenty years to become millwrights, tool and die makers, or maintenance planners, but others stay until retirement. Becoming a machinist usually requires an apprenticeship where people spend about 720 hours in classroom training and 7,280 hours in training on the job. Normally, this takes about four years, and it can sometimes start in high school. If you are interested, you can check out schools like the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, or any other trade school in Canada for specific requirements.

Working as a machinist requires mathematical skills and the ability to read blueprints. You can already start to prepare for a career as a machinist by taking math courses, and also working on your ability to read complicated diagrams and other documents. Writing skills can also be important, since you might need to write reports for supervisors or clients. If you work on your own or for a small business, you might have to deal with customers, and developing your ability to work with people is also important. Learning to estimate costs, write out bills, and keep records can also be useful in this kind of work.

Machinists can decide to specialize in certain types of machines, or they might decide to work in repairs instead of operating the machines themselves. Repairing machines can be a good career choice, although the work is likely to be less regular and predictable than for other machinists. In either case, the job of a machinist can be a good choice for people who like to work with their hands.

Bibliography:

Career Profiles. “Machinist.” http://www.careerprofiles.info/machinist-career.html.

Payscale Canada. “Average Machinist Hourly Pay.” https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Machinist/Hourly_Rate.

Work BC. “Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors.” https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs-Careers/Explore-Careers/Browse-Career-Profile/7231