Category: Jobs and Apprenticeships

  • Career Profile: Statistician

    Career Profile: Statistician

    For some people, looking at a page of numbers and graphs causes their eyes to glaze over and a yawn to start. For others, however, the idea of working with numbers and how they relate to everyday life is exciting. Are you in the second group of people? If so, becoming a statistician might be the right career for you.

    Working in statistics is all about numbers. Have your parents ever talked about answering surveys or have you ever answered questions about something that you like to do or eat? Many businesses take surveys to find out about the kinds of things their customers might want. Then a statistician takes the information and turns it into something that the business can use for planning. The same thing happens with the government and other organizations. They find out how many people are in certain age groups or in particular jobs. That way, they know if universities need more funding or what kinds of jobs to encourage people to pursue.

    Gathering information is only part of the work of a statistician. A list of numbers means very little unless someone can interpret what that means. Statisticians take the numbers that come from surveys and other sources of information and turn that into something that governments or organizations can use. Most statisticians have at least a Master’s degree in mathematics. With this education, they can take a list of numbers and turn it into something that shows trends and changes. If the numbers of university students has increased by fifteen percent while the general population has increased by five percent, for example, they can show that. Being a statistician involves knowing about the relationships between numbers and being able to see patterns that many other people might ignore.

    Statisticians are not normally involved in making decisions about programs and funding for projects. However, their work is very important for the people who choose where to spend money. Statisticians work in all kinds of organizations, including government departments, businesses, and even community organizations. Although a Master’s degree in statistics or mathematics is the basic requirement for most people in this field, continuing on to a higher level of education might open up opportunities for teaching in a university.

    Besides academic qualifications, statisticians need to have the personal qualities for the work. They often work alone and need to be able to concentrate, but they also need to be able to work with people. They need to be able to communicate with people to get the kinds of information they need for their work.

    For people with the right skills, working in statistics can be a rewarding career. When they are good at their jobs and experienced in the field, statisticians can earn a good living, with salaries generally between $43,000 and $80,000 per year. Jobs are not always easy to find, but people who are flexible can also find work in related fields, such as accounting. Do you love numbers? Consider becoming a statistician.

  • Get a Move On!

    Get a Move On!

    Most people move at some point in their lives, either from a house to an apartment or the other way around. Some people also move from one office building to another or need new furniture or other equipment. Often, moving companies help these people to move their belongings from one place to another. If you are physically strong and enjoy working with a lot of different people, it might be a good job for you.

    Almost anyone who is physically capable of lifting heavy objects can be a mover. However, some people make that their specialty and learn methods of doing their job quickly and efficiently. Professional movers often work in companies that offer these services, but some movers work alone or in small groups.

    When people move from one home to another, they usually have furniture like tables and chairs, as well as boxes full of dishes, books and other objects which might require special care. People in offices might have computers, photocopiers and other large and breakable machines. Movers have to be strong but also very careful as they move objects that could easily be ruined if they fall onto the ground. Being able to pack a truck efficiently is also useful so that the movers have to make as few trips as possible.

    Becoming a mover does not normally require any special education, but gaining experience is useful. Learning special techniques from other movers is a good way to become an efficient mover. Some companies also provide training for their employees, especially for people who want to drive the moving trucks or perform other parts of the job. Most movers work in pairs or small groups, but it is also possible to work alone with the right equipment.

    Although much of the work is physical, movers should be able to talk to customers and to discuss what they need. Employees of moving companies might also need to fill out forms and to complete inventories to make sure that everything has arrived safely. They might accept payments and write out receipts, and they might also work in the offices of small companies. Sometimes, movers might have to put furniture back together and possibly work with electronic equipment to make sure that it is connected properly.

    Wages for movers depend a lot on experience. Most movers start at about minimum wage, but they can move up to about $35 an hour after they have worked in the job for several years. One of the challenges for movers is that the work tends to be seasonal. Although people can move at any time of the year, many of them prefer not to move in winter when the weather is very cold. Movers can be very busy in the warmer months and have little work to do during the winter.

    Moving is a hard job, but it can be good for strong people who like to work with their hands and to meet new people. Why not consider being a mover either full-time or part-time?

  • Rig Technician

    Rig Technician

    Drilling is an important phase of oil exploration and extraction in Canada. Drilling is one of the methods used to access hydrocarbon formations. Rig technicians work on drilling rigs and other specialized equipment to drill holes to retrieve these hydrocarbons.

    Drilling rigs are owned by companies specializing in drilling, called drilling contractors. Some contractors are larger than others and some specialize in certain types of operations. However, all contractors offer their drilling equipment and the services of their employees to exploration companies on a contract basis.

    A rig crew’s operational structure is organized by a clearly defined set of duties and responsibilities. After gaining entry level experience as a leasehand and floorhand, workers in this trade must progress through the ranks of motorhand (level 1) and derrickhand (level 2) in order to become fully qualified rig technicians/drillers (level 3). The division of duties in the levels of skilled workers on a rig crew is:

    Motorhands: maintain drilling rig engines, transmissions, heating systems, diesel electric generators and motors, hydraulic systems and other mechanical equipment; maintain equipment logs and records; monitor fluid and supply levels; participate in rig mobilization (rig up) and demobilization (rig out); supervise and are able to do all duties performed by floorhands and leasehands.

    Derrickhands: operate drilling fluid systems and pumps during drilling; mix chemicals and additives; handle sections of the drill string assembly from the monkeyboard during tripping operations; monitor and record volume and properties of drilling fluids; supervise motorhands, floorhands and leasehands; and are able to do all duties performed by motorhands.

    Rig technicians (drillers): operate the drawworks, rotary equipment and pumps; inspect rig; maintain records of drilling operations; are able to perform all duties performed by any crew member; and are responsible for the safety, training and supervision of the crew members.

    Rig technicians report directly to the drilling rig manager. The scope of the rig technician for this analysis covers the duties of motorhands, derrickhands and drillers.

    A rig crew works with a variety of hand and power tools, as well as motorized equipment, lifting and hoisting equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment. Computers are an important tool in this trade to maintain operational records and interpret data related to drilling activities.

    The rig is set up and transported to different sites resulting in the rig crew often travelling to remote locations. The work is performed in all weather conditions and workers should be prepared to work in all types of weather and environmental conditions (example: cold, hot, noisy, dirty, dusty, wet and muddy). Drilling activity peaks during the winter months when the ground is frozen. The work pressures and demands may fluctuate depending on world oil and gas supply and demand.

    Important attributes for rig technicians are good hand-eye coordination, mechanical inclination, the ability to work well in a team and with third-party service providers, and strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Good physical condition is important because the work often requires considerable lifting, long hours and repetitive movement.

    Drilling is a 24-hour operation, requiring rig technicians to work shifts and often long hours. The job requires mental alertness due to the inherent work hazards such as moving equipment, exposure to chemicals, risks of explosions and working at heights. Rig technicians work outdoors in all kinds of weather, often in remote and isolated areas away from home.

    Rig technicians are expected to perform supervisory duties and training of apprentices and other less experienced crew members. Experienced rig technicians may move into other positions such as rig managers, instructors, well site supervisors, sales representatives or other technical positions within the industry.

  • Child and Youth Worker

    Child and Youth Worker

    Child and youth workers help young people with various challenges. They help children and youth who have learning, social, emotional, or behavioural issues. They can work in residential, institutional, or community-based settings. They often work in schools and hospitals as well.

    Certification Requirements
    • The Child and Youth Worker apprenticeship consists of 6,240 hours of on-the-job training.
    • Apprentices must also complete 32 weeks of in-class technical training.
    • Once you have successfully completed the apprenticeship requirements, you receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship and are certified as a journeyperson in the trade.
    • A person with at least 7,200 hours of related work experience is eligible to apply for a Trade Equivalency Assessment (TEA) and, if successful, becomes certified as a journeyperson in this trade.
    Educational Prerequisites

    Grade 12 or equivalent.

  • Cabinetmaker

    Cabinetmaker

    Cabinetmakers build, repair, finish and install residential and commercial cabinets (including hardware), wooden furniture and architectural millwork using a variety of woods, laminates and other products. Cabinetmakers read drawings and specifications, and prepare layouts. They also set up and operate woodworking equipment, both power and computerized, to machine wood products and composite materials. Cabinetmakers use various power tools and precision woodworking tools to perform their work. Cabinetmakers sand and finish the surfaces either before or after assembly in some shops. They also apply finishing products.

    Cabinetmakers are employed by millwork contractors, furniture manufacturers and general contractors. They may also be self-employed. The products they produce may be production or custom-made pieces. Production pieces are made in large quantities and according to a standard design. Custom-made pieces are often from one-of-a-kind designs and are not mass‑produced. Some cabinetmakers specialize in a specific type of product, such as custom‑made furniture, stairs or cabinet doors. In large cabinet making shops using high-tech, computer-controlled equipment, cabinetmakers may specialize in one or two functions. A working knowledge of the design principles, functional requirements, and traditions associated with furniture building is also advantageous in many areas of the cabinetmaker trade.

    Cabinetmakers primarily work in a shop environment, but they may also work at locations where the products are installed. While the working environment varies according to employers and locations, cabinetmakers are often exposed to workplace health and safety risks such as high noise levels, sawdust and chemicals. There are risks of injury involved in working with woodworking machinery, portable power tools and hand tools.

    Key attributes for people in this trade are good eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, mathematical aptitude and good conceptual skills. Cabinetmakers require a high degree of accuracy, and good eyesight to select woods and look for imperfections. The work may require lifting of heavy materials.

    This analysis recognizes similarities or overlaps with the work of carpenters and painters/decorators.

    With experience, cabinetmakers may act as mentors and trainers to apprentices in the trade. They may advance to supervisory or design positions or may set up their own shop. Some may choose to specialize in areas such as stairs, veneering or finishing.

  • Careers In Trades

    Careers In Trades

    The trades sector in Canada is constantly growing and changing. So how do you know which career path is right for you? Here at Jobs People Do, we’ve assembled a list of some of the hottest jobs in the trades industry that will be in high demand for years to come. Take a look at just some of your options and then click on the link to be taken directly to career information. Find out what kind of education you will need and how much you can expect to be paid.

    Aboriginal Child Development Practitioner
    Agricultural – Dairy Herdsperson
    Agricultural – Fruit Grower
    Agricultural – Swine Herdsperson
    Agricultural Equipment Technician
    Alignment and Brakes Technician
    Appliance Service Technician
    Arborist
    Architectural Glass and Metal Technician
    Assistant Cook
    Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer
    Auto Body Repairer
    Automotive Electronic Accessory Technician
    Automotive Glass Technician
    Automotive Painter
    Automotive Service Technician
    Baker
    Baker-Patissier
    Bearings Mechanic
    Blacksmith
    Brick and Stone Mason
    Cabinetmaker
    Cement (Concrete) Finisher
    Chef
    Child and Youth Worker
    Child Development Practitioner
    Composite Structures Technician
    Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Programmer
    Concrete Pump Operator
    Construction Boilermaker
    Construction Craft Worker
    Construction Millwright
    Cook
    Developmental Services Worker
    Die Designer
    Draftsperson – Mechanical
    Draftsperson – Plastic Mould Design
    Draftsperson – Tool and Die Design
    Drywall Acoustic and Lathing Applicator
    Drywall Finisher and Plasterer
    Educational Assistant
    Electric Motor System Technician
    Electrical Control (Machine) Builder
    Electrician – Construction and Maintenance
    Electrician – Domestic and Rural
    Electrician (Signal Maintenance)
    Electronic Service Technician
    Elevating Devices Mechanic
    Entertainment Industry Power Technician
    Exterior Insulated Finish Systems Mechanic
    Facilities Mechanic
    Facilities Technician
    Fitter – Assembler (Motor Assembly)
    Floor Covering Installer
    Fuel and Electrical Systems Technician
    Gemsetter / Goldsmith
    General Carpenter
    General Machinist
    Hairstylist
    Hardware, Lumber and Building Materials Retailer
    Hazardous Materials Worker
    Heat and Frost Insulator
    Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
    Heavy Equipment Operator – Dozer
    Heavy Equipment Operator – Excavator
    Heavy Equipment Operator – Tractor Loader Backhoe
    Hoisting Engineer – Mobile Crane Operator 1
    Hoisting Engineer – Mobile Crane Operator 2
    Hoisting Engineer – Tower Crane Operator
    Horse Groomer
    Horse Harness Maker
    Horticultural Technician
    Hydraulic / Pneumatic Mechanic
    Industrial Electrician
    Industrial Mechanic Millwright
    Information Technology – Contact Centre Customer Service Agent
    Information Technology – Contact Centre Sales Agent
    Information Technology – Contact Centre Technical Support Agent
    Information Technology – Hardware Technician
    Information Technology – Network Technician
    Institutional Cook
    Instrumentation and Control Technician
    Ironworker – Generalist
    Ironworker – Structural and Ornamental
    Light Rail Overhead Contact Systems Lineperson
    Locksmith
    Machine Tool Builder and Integrator
    Marine Engine Technician
    Metal Fabricator (Fitter)
    Micro Electronics Manufacturer
    Motive Power Machinist
    Motorcycle Technician
    Mould Designer
    Mould Maker
    Mould or Die Finisher
    Native Clothing and Crafts Artisan
    Native Residential Construction Worker
    Network Cabling Specialist
    Optics Technician (Lens and Prism Maker)
    Packaging Machine Mechanic
    Painter and Decorator – Commercial and Residential
    Painter and Decorator – Industrial
    Parts Technician
    Pattern Maker
    Plumber
    Pool, Hot Tub and Spa – Installer
    Pool, Hot Tub and Spa – Service Technician
    Powered Lift Truck Technician
    Powerline Technician
    Precast Concrete Erector
    Precast Concrete Finisher
    Precision Metal Fabricator
    Pressure Systems Welder
    Process Operator – Food Manufacturing
    Process Operator – Power
    Process Operator – Refinery, Chemical, and Liquid Processes
    Process Operator – Wood Products
    Pump Systems Installer
    Railway Car Technician
    Recreation Vehicle Technician
    Refractory Mason
    Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic
    Reinforcing Rodworker
    Relay and Instrumentation Technician
    Residential (Low Rise) Sheet Metal Installer
    Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic
    Restoration Mason
    Retail Meat Cutter
    Roll Grinder / Turner
    Roofer
    Saddlery
    Saw Filer / Fitter
    Sheet Metal Worker
    Ski Lift Mechanic
    Small Engine Technician
    Special Events Coordinator
    Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer
    Steamfitter
    Surface Blaster
    Surface Mount Assembler
    Terrazzo, Tile, and Marble Setter
    Thin Film Technician
    Tire, Wheel and Rim Mechanic
    Tool / Tooling Maker
    Tool and Cutter Grinder
    Tool and Die Maker
    Tool and Gauge Inspector
    Tractor-Trailer Commercial Driver
    Transmission Technician
    Truck and Coach Technician
    Truck-Trailer Service Technician
    Turf Equipment Technician
    Utility Arborist
    Water Well Driller
    Welder
    Wooden Boat Rebuilder

     

  • Career Profile: Dietitian

    Career Profile: Dietitian

    Cooking a good, balanced meal can be complicated. Some types of food taste good, but they have too much fat or sugar to be healthy, or they contain something else that is bad for people. Planning a nutritious meal can be complicated even more by all of the choices that are available to people. How can anyone know what they should eat? Dietitians can help.

    Most people know the basics of nutrition and can plan a reasonably healthy meal. They know, for example, that vegetables are healthy but that ice cream is not. However, what happens when people have trouble eating or need a special diet? Dietitians can help people like that to know what they can eat without harming themselves.

    Suppose that a patient in a hospital needed to lose weight before having surgery. A dietitian could help the patient find out what and how much to eat. Dietitians often work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and doctors’ offices. They might also work in schools, daycare centres and other places where people need help in finding the right food to eat.

    Working as a dietician usually involves working with other people, although parts of the job are solitary. If you work in a hospital, for example, you might start by talking with the patients, their families and the doctors to learn as much as you can before starting on research.

    You need to know about allergies, food preferences and restrictions, and anything else that might affect the patients’ ability to follow the diet. Patients who dislike oranges, for example, are unlikely to stay with a diet long if it includes a lot of the fruit. In that case, the dietitian will have to find creative ways of giving patients the nutrition they need.

    Besides all of the other knowledge that dietitians need to have, they should also know a lot about how to cook. They might never actually have to prepare meals for the people they are helping, but they should have an idea of what kinds of food work together and how to use foods in unexpected ways. They might need to teach people about how to cook healthy meals, and they should know as much as possible about the best techniques for making food taste good while still keeping as much of the nutrition as possible.

    Working with so many different people and diets usually requires knowledge of foods and their benefits. Most dietitians require at least a bachelor’s degree in an area related to food systems management or dietetics. Normally, that takes about four years at a university or college. In many areas of Canada, dietitians also need official government certification to be able to work.

    Job prospects for dietitians are limited, but they are likely to improve in the next few years. Depending on where they work, dietitians might earn about $55,000 per year, but that can change with experience and other factors. If you love food and enjoy helping people, the job of dietitian might be right for you.

  • What Is A Cruciverbalist?

    What Is A Cruciverbalist?

    One across is a six-letter word for a job or occupation. One down is a fourteen-letter word for someone who creates or solves crossword puzzles. Together, they make one of the most unusual ways of earning a living: having a career as a cruciverbalist. It might sound like an unlikely way to earn money, but for people who love words and puzzles, working as a cruciverbalist can be a good career move.

    Crossword puzzles come in all shapes, sizes and levels of difficulty. They can be very general and cover all kinds of information or stick to one theme, such as gardening or television shows. If you went to Britain and tried to do a crossword puzzle, you would find that the style was very different from the North American variety.

    However, all crossword puzzles have certain things in common. They all have a set of squares going up and down with space for people to write in the answers to a series of questions. Writing these questions and answers is a cruciverbalist’s job. North American-style crosswords cover trivia on all kinds of topics, including history, sports, literature and anything else people might know.

    You might wonder why people still compile crossword puzzles when computer programs can do the same thing. Many cruciverbalists use computer software to create the pattern of grids and to supply possible answers for their puzzles, but people often still prefer the personal quality of a puzzle designed by a person rather than a machine.

    Compiling crossword puzzles is normally not a full-time job. Cruciverbalists are often paid $40 or $50 per puzzle, and they might be able to sell only a few per year. Almost anyone can create crossword puzzles. Cruciverbalists might be writers, teachers or carpenters who love playing with words and who want to earn a bit of extra money.

    Almost anyone can solve crossword puzzles as well. Many of the questions require knowledge of history or literature, but the puzzles also have a scientific side which can appeal to people in areas such as mathematics or computers. However, anyone can enjoy compiling or solving the puzzles.

    What does it take to become a cruciverbalist? There is no special training for the job, but knowledge of how crossword puzzles work is helpful. An interest in trivia and an ability to find information on many different topics can also help make the job easier. However, the best way to prepare for a job as a cruciverbalist is to practice. Doing crossword puzzles every day will help you understand how they work and how to develop your own style. You can also learn what makes a crossword puzzle easy or difficult and how to sell your puzzles to newspapers or magazines.

    It’s never too early start developing a career as a cruciverbalist. You might never be able to make a living by making crossword puzzles, but you can earn extra money by using a love of words to provide entertainment for people in your home or across the country.

  • Skilled Trades: The Basics

    Skilled Trades: The Basics

    In Canada, the skilled trades industry has had steady employment growth since the mid-1990s. It’s an industry that has attracted many unions and has also paved the way for self-employed workers. It is an industry that keeps growing, as there will always be a demand for skilled trade workers.

    The average wage for workers in skilled trades is $22.36 per hour, which is twice the amount of the Ontario’s $11.00/hour minimum wage for adult workers. Within the next two decades, 40% of the jobs created will be in skilled trades. This means that employment will be steady, plentiful and secure. As many skilled trades’ workers are unionized, their wages tend to be higher than that of a non-unionized worker.

    Ontario, in particular, has been improving the industry by investing more $165 million dollars to support apprentices. The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities offers plenty of information on how to obtain apprenticeships and educational programs that lead into skilled trades. They also assist in providing loans and grants to individuals who qualify.

    With the skills of a tradesperson, you are not limited to one location. You’re free to employ yourself anywhere. Western Canada has a high demand for trade workers and many workers from Ontario move all over Canada and work on contracts through corporations.

    The skilled trades industry has great opportunities and flexibility for its employees. It’s an industry that offers great pay, great security and great amount of work now – and in the future.

  • Career Profile: Clinical Psychologist

    Career Profile: Clinical Psychologist

    Suppose that you could solve people’s problems just by talking with them. Maybe you already talk with your friends or your family about their issues, and maybe you give them good advice about what to do. If so, you might want to consider becoming a clinical psychologist and learning ways to help not just your family, but also many other people.

    When people go through difficult times or suffer from a mental illness like depression, they might need help from professionals. If they need medication to treat the problem, they might need to go to a psychiatrist or other trained doctor. However, they might also need help from a clinical psychologist.

    When people need to talk about their problems with someone who can listen and help them work through the issues, they might want to contact a clinical psychologist. These professionals study psychology in university so that they know the techniques of helping people understand the roots of their problems and how to solve them.

    Basically, clinical psychologists assess people’s mental health and then recommend treatments for them. They might work with children, adults or teenagers and help families or individuals. Some of them work in community programs or schools, but others might work in their own clinics or in doctors’ offices. The average salary for clinical psychologists is almost $71,000 per year, but it can take some time to work up to that point. Most people in this profession move on to something else after about twenty years.

    The first step towards becoming a clinical psychologist is to get a degree from a university. Most people in this field have some kind of specialty, such as with a certain age group or illness. They might also decide to get into teaching or research. If you want to become a clinical psychologist, you might already want to think about the kinds of work you want to do.

    One of the first steps in training as a clinical psychologist is to develop the ability to listen. Even when you are trained in your profession, you will need to be able to listen to people without interrupting them or becoming bored or distracted. You can already start to develop that skill as you interact with your friends and family at school or at home.

    Right now, job prospects for clinical psychologists are good in Canada. Besides having a degree in a related field, clinical psychologists need to have certification from the government to show that they have the necessary qualifications. Each province or territory might have slightly different requirements, and it is important to find out what they are. When you have your training and certification, you can start to work at helping people professionally.

    Consultations with other professionals like doctors will be a large part of your work since many different factors can contribute to people’s problems. Finding out what other professionals know can help clinical psychologists understand their patients better. If they do their work well, clinical psychologists can help many people feel better about themselves and the world.