Category: Trades

If you like working with your hands, designing and building things large and small, and working with tools and machinery, a career as a carpenter is a great idea.

Carpenters work mainly with wood to construct, install, repair, and maintain things like houses, apartments, and other buildings, as well as smaller projects such as cabinets, stairs, or artistic wood projects.  They can also work with materials such as wood composites, drywall, lightweight steel products, and other materials used in building.

General carpenters are trained in a wide variety of building construction and detailed woodworking skills.  In carpentry, you also have options to specialize.  You can be a rough work carpenter who does framework and construction work.  You can also be a detail woodworker who builds and installs cabinets and other wood furniture, stairs, trim, and railings.  You can also specialize in either new construction, or repair and renovation.

As a carpenter, you need skills like drawing and reading blueprints, knowing how to measure and calculate sizes and specifications, how to calculate cost estimates for clients, and how to cut and join wood and wood materials.

For rough construction, you will need to know how to frame walls, floors, and stairs, and how to install support beams for floors and roofs.  For detail woodworking, you will build smaller wood projects, install doors, ceiling trim and floorboards, install hardwood flooring or wall panels, moulding, and all associated hardware.

Carpenters can work independently in a sole proprietorship or small business, which usually means working a variety of short-term contract jobs.  You can also work with a company, such as a construction company that employs a number of carpenters and woodworkers, as well as other trades people, and is hired to do specific construction projects from beginning to end.

Generally, carpenters will require at least their high school diploma or equivalent, and also either a three-to-four year college program, or several years of an apprenticeship program or work experience.  Currently, there is mandatory certification only in Quebec; other Canadian provinces have a voluntary certification process for carpenters.  The Red Seal interprovincial trade certification is also available for carpenters who meet the required qualifications.

In terms of wages, carpenters start around minimum wage to $17/hour.  With experience, and depending on the market in your area, skilled carpenters can make up to $30-60/hour.  These days the skilled trades are always in demand, with new construction and renovation projects starting every day, so the future job prospects are very promising.

With hard work and diligence, you will have a great career as a carpenter!

Some people love to work with their hands. Does that describe you? If so, you probably should consider getting into a trade. Not all trades are the same, but you can already prepare to get into any trade you want if you have the ability.

The trades can include many different jobs. Hairstylists, plumbers, and electricians are all tradespeople, and also workers in construction, tile and metal work, and more. Bicycle repair people, cooks, and others all work in trades. People in these trades all tend to work with their hands, and many of them learn their trades on the job, often through apprenticeships. Often, they produce something for people, like furniture, or perform a service, like cleaning out drains or putting sprinkler systems into buildings in case of a fire.

Generally, trades fall into two categories: compulsory trades that require certification and registration, or voluntary trades that have no special requirements other than being able to do the work. Before you decide to get into a trade, you need to know what kind of trade you are starting. If you have trouble with tests, you might not want to choose a trade that involves certification unless you are willing to study very hard.

If you wanted to become a teacher or a doctor, you would have to go to university to learn what you need to know. Training to work in the trades can include classroom time, but usually it involves a lot of practical work. Often, people work in apprenticeships where they learn each task on the job from people who have been working in the area. Sometimes, students can begin to learn through summer jobs, especially when they have a mentor like a parent or family friend who can show them what to do.

Suppose that you wanted to become a hairstylist. By the time you begin to work with clients, you will already need to know many of the basics of cutting and caring for hair. You could study magazines and websites to learn about styles and how to create different looks. Still, working with actual hair could be very different because some people have straight hair, some have curly, and some have waves. If you can start by practicing on yourself or your friends, you can prepare for your career even before you start to work officially. Learning to be a baker or a cook is also something that you can start to prepare for while you’re still young.

Some trades are easier to practice than others. Testing your skills as an electrician, for example, could result in fires that could destroy buildings. In that case, you would want to spend a lot of time watching the experts and reading about the techniques of putting wiring into a wall. Before you try to practice your trade, be sure that you know the risks and benefits.

Talking with people is also a good idea. Even if you don’t know anyone working in your field, you can check with your school counsellor to find out who might be able to help you. With hard work and perseverance, you can get into any trade that suits you.

Bibliography:

Mathews, Justin. “A Beginner’s Guide: What Is A Skilled Trade, And Is It Right For Me?”https://talentegg.ca/incubator/2015/03/09/skilled-trades-101-guide-canadas-demand-industry/.

Matuson, Chinsky. “Break into the Trades.” https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/break-into-the-trades-skilled.

McGinn, Dave. “Looking for a Job? Why You Should Consider a Trade.” https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/looking-for-a-job-why-you-should-consider-a-trade/article9117896/.

When people consider trades jobs, they think of tiny minutiae, such as the intricacies of wiring and plumbing that keep buildings and homes running effectively. These are important and rewarding careers, but sometimes can feel small in scope. Some tradespeople work in a single area where they live. However, there are many growing opportunities to work in the trades in such a way that you get to see the world. It makes an already rewarding career path even more gratifying.

One way to travel while working is to do it literally. Cruise ships venture around the world to many exciting locales. While they are filled with tourists and people on vacation, they also have many employees and workers ensuring a great experience for those travelers. Carpenters and electricians are regularly hired to be stationed aboard these ships, either in senior or assistant roles, for regular maintenance. Carpenters ensure furniture and accommodations in theatres, lounges, and more are in proper shape, and electricians guarantee all electrical systems are functioning so that the cruise’s activities go on unhindered. You can help many happy travelers while being one yourself.

Another option is to take your skills to where they are needed. As technologically advances, people around the world are turning to more environmentally-friendly power sources. Wind technology is becoming an increasingly popular choice. The wind turbines that make this possible are often in remote locations, and the technicians and repairers for these devices are required to travel frequently in order to reach and service the hundreds of thousands of turbines around the world. Due to the vast size and intricacies of certain wind farms, it may be necessary to have portions of the land managed by different organizations. This can require tradespeople to travel between different sites to work on various turbines. You can venture to many locales while making the world a better place.

Finally, you can also take your skills with you on the road. Many musicians and music bands depend on national and international tours in order to make a living. As they travel from city to city, or country to country, they depend on a talented crew to ensure their show is pulled off seamlessly at all venues. Sound technicians are critical to guarantee pristine acoustics for the crowd. Musical acts also depend on proper lighting for the stage, and perhaps special effects as well. Lighting technicians work hard to make sure this component of the performance is properly in place. You will get to journey with the musical act to see many cities and create great memories for countless audience members.

There are numerous ways to equip yourself with trades skills that will allow you to travel. As technology evolves in a world of increasing globalization, there will be more and more opportunities to do so. If this is of interest to you, seek out job opportunities along the lines of cruise ships and musical tours, as well as growing industries that sprawl many locales, such as wind energy. Not only can you do work that you are passionate about, but you can do it with the added bonus of seeing the many wonderful sights the world has to offer.

Sources:

Gomez, Monica. “Skilled Trades That Allow You to Travel.” ISpeak CTE. https://mnlearningthatworks.org/2014/11/19/skilled-trades-that-allow-you-to-travel/

O’Carroll. Etain. “The best careers for travelling the world.” Lonely Planet. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/the-best-careers-for-travelling-the-world/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d2766b79

A large portion of Canada, across all the provinces and territories, is covered with boreal forest.  This forest is both the habitat for the wide and varied wildlife of our country, but also a valuable resource for wood and wood products which Canada uses for its own population, as well as for trade with other countries.  Canada’s forests are also popular for camping, hiking, fishing and other outdoor recreational activities, and are also an essential part of the culture and lifestyle of Canada’s Indigenous people.

But contrary to what you might think, because people want to use the forest as a resource, this means the forest must be carefully managed to ensure that wildlife still has enough habitat to live in, activity spaces are maintained and safe, and that the wood resources we have are not depleted.

This is the role and responsibility of forestry and conservation technicians, who work to manage forest environments by performing surveys of trees and wildlife, using photographic and mapping techniques to prepare management and harvest plans, and coordinating many forest activities including fire suppression, timber scaling, disease and insect control, thinning, and reforestation planting.  Forestry technicians will also assist to plan, develop and build forest access roads for logging and conservation use, so that these workers can reach the areas they need.

Forestry technicians will collect data on the different types of trees, wildlife, water sources, and other plants that live in a section of forest, and use this information to make decisions about when and where a section of forest should be trimmed, culled, or harvested.  They will also ensure that all forest activities are conducted safely, and in accordance to any local, municipal, provincial, and national requirements for logging, environmental protection, and conservation.

Most forestry technicians will live and work in areas that have a significant amount of surrounding woodlands, and therefore a strong forestry industry.  This can include working for logging companies, for timber or wood pulp mills and processing companies, both as an employee or as a contractor.  You could also work on the conservation side through the government and the Ministry of Natural Resources, which has offices and conservation operations across Canada.

This career is ideal for people who enjoy being outdoors and working with their hands, as much of the work takes place on site in a woodlot, logging camp, or reforestation project. It can also be a great job for those who like working with others, as outreach is often an important part of a forester’s job.  This can be through forest fire prevention and safety presentations, or working at one of Canada’s national or provincial parks to maintain the grounds and help campers to enjoy their experience.

Educational requirements are a minimum of high school if accompanied with an apprenticeship or other work experience, but usually a one to three-year college or university program in forestry or a related subject will be required to work in this industry. This field is also regulated in most provinces and territories, so you will likely be required to complete a certification or registration process in your province.  You may also need some additional licensing, such as a scaler’s license, depending on your job.

Wages start around $17 per hour for entry level positions, up to around $45 per hour, depending on your level of experience, and which province or territory you’re working in. Working hours are usually fairly regular, as most outdoor forestry work can only be done during daylight hours, but your schedule can include long days or travel to worksites.

Sources:

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report-eng.do?area=0011&lang=eng&noc=2223&action=final&ln=n&s=1&source=8#report_tabs_container2

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/careers/environment-foresters-forestry-technicians

https://www.recruiter.com/salaries/forest-and-conservation-technicians-salary/

With Canada’s continuous efforts to be a major player in world economy, it’s not a surprise why building and infrastructure stays on its must-do list. As a result, a job that is generally perceived as an old-fashioned or outdated one is, in fact, one of the most in demand more than ever especially in the British Columbia province, according to the Global News website. It is also starting to grow in Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, P.E.I. and the Yukon.

A carpenter is profession that can’t easily be replaced by technology or machine as one would always need to come in and do the work manually, whether they are working on commercial or private properties.

Carpenters – What You Need to Know

For the most part, carpenters are responsible for the wood or steel components to be utilized in any structure, be it as a foundation or framing itself or doors, windows, and furniture. They often work with tools or machinery to carry out their duties. Due of the nature of their job, carpenters are expected to be in the best of health to be able to carry heavy items and be flexible and adaptive enough to work at any kind of environment, whether it is within a house, shop, building, or the site itself. Work hazards are a given in this profession, and thus carpenters should be well-aware of safety measures like wearing protective clothing at all times and others.

While to be successful in the carpentry field requires a great deal of physical skills and knowledge in machines and tools, carpenters are also required to have excellent attention to detail as they have to deliver products that are not only functional but also aesthetically and consistently pleasing. Carpenters should also be able to read and interpret blueprints easily and have good mathematical knowledge to deduce measurements. With these in mind, you can tell that carpentry is both a physically and mentally demanding.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, a carpenter can earn an average of $33,352 to $75,991 a year, with more experienced workers having the potential to earn more.

Skills

Physical prowess and mental strengths are a must for this job. A high school diploma or equivalent is required as well, and taking elective courses such as shop, industrial arts, and mechanical drawing can prove to be an advantage. It is recommended to undergo a pre-apprenticeship program and afterward an apprenticeship program with a certified carpenter or what is referred to as a journeyperson. The time it takes to complete these programs, which consist both of classroom and on-site training, vary depending on the location, but it generally takes four 12-month periods.

Carpenters who target to work in Quebec must obtain certification, where it is required. In other provinces and territories, certification is voluntary. However, it is always an asset to obtain certification even in locations where it is not required. The certification process involves a four-year apprenticeship program, plus four years on-the-job experience. If you wish to take it further, you can also look into applying for the Red Seal where you can work as a carpenter anywhere in Canada.

Pros and Cons

The biggest advantage of being a carpenter is that it helps you be in tip-top shape as physical strengths are a large part of the job. With any job that’s focused on this, you tend to take care of yourself more, knowing that your livelihood depends on it.

The biggest disadvantage are the hazards that are part of the job. Some environments can be downright noisy that you may develop hearing sensitivity while some environments are polluted that you may develop sensitivity in your respiratory system. It is therefore important to practice safety measures at all times to minimize these hazards.

SOURCES:

https://globalnews.ca/news/3854605/jobs-making-a-comeback-canada/

https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Carpenter/Hourly_Rate

http://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/career/carpenter