Category: Trades

The world is full of hazardous chemicals and other dangerous materials which can damage the environment and harm people. When manufacturing, mining, or other processes produce hazardous waste, people have to come and clean it up. This job can be difficult and potentially dangerous, but it is essential. If you like the idea of helping in this way, you should consider becoming a hazardous waste removal worker.

When you work on an assignment at school, you might have a computer printout or glue bottle that you discard after using them. Throwing something recyclable into the garbage is harmful in a small way, although the hazards add up quickly. However, the waste coming from processes like mining can be immediately poisonous to people and animals while destroying trees and streams. Hazardous materials removal workers help to clean up these types of materials.

The first step in removing hazardous materials is to find out what they are and how to deal with them. People in this field need to study different types of waste and know what to do with each of them, or they can specialize in one type. They could choose to learn about mining waste or the dangerous substances that come from nuclear plants. Some people can even get jobs sorting out hazardous waste like batteries from the regular garbage, like orange peels and chocolate wrappers.

Most hazardous materials removal workers need at least two years of training after high school to get jobs in this field. Throughout their career, they might need extra training to be able to work with certain types of hazardous waste. If an oil spill happens, for example, someone in this career might need to learn about that type of material.

When disasters happen or hazardous waste builds up, people in this field assess the damage and decide how to deal with the trouble. They use various tools and cleaning solutions to remove the waste and store it in containers where it can be safe. People in this job often have to work long and tiring days, frequently outside in all kinds of weather. Sometimes, however, they need to be prepared to spend hours in an office, making plans, organizing work, and writing reports.

Working with hazardous materials can be dangerous, and people in this field need to know about keeping themselves and others safe. Accidents can happen while people are cleaning up the waste material.

Protective equipment is necessary in this job. Workers might need to wear thick rubber gloves, goggles, and other equipment to keep themselves safe. Even then, they should be careful not to touch the hazardous materials or breathe in the fumes from them. Besides the dangers, it can be very unpleasant and smelly work. Although it is possible to stay in this job for many years, it can become more difficult as people get older.

Annual salaries for hazardous waste disposal workers average $68,000. Job prospects are limited right now, but they will likely improve in the next few years as older workers retire. If you like the idea of this job, you could already start to prepare to work in the field by researching further, looking into training, and becoming more aware of the hazardous materials that our modern way of life produces and how they affect us and the planet.

Sources:

ALIS. “Hazardous Waste Management Technologist.” https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/hazardous-waste-management-technologist/.

Career Planner. “Hazardous Materials Removal Worker.” https://job-descriptions.careerplanner.com/Hazardous-Materials-Removal-Workers.cfm.

PayScale Canada. “Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal: Salary.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Industry=Hazardous_Waste_Treatment_and_Disposal/Salary.

Almost every building has metal and glass in it, whether in small sections or covering entire walls. Architectural glass and metal technicians are the people who install these features. For people with the stamina and physical ability, this job can be a good career choice.

Most buildings have at least some metal and glass, whether it covers the entire outer layer of a skyscraper or just a few mirrors inside the building. Architectural glass and metal technicians work with blueprints to measure and cut glass and metal to the right sizes and shapes. Often, people in this trade cut the glass and metal themselves and even assemble and dismantle scaffolding. They may work in teams or work alone.

People in this trade should be in reasonably good physical condition and have good dexterity with their hands. Being able to manage heights is important, as much of the work can be far off the ground. Sometimes, however, technicians may need to work in small spaces. The job can be unpleasant in hot, windy, cold, or rainy weather. During winter, when construction usually ends, people in this trade might still be able to work on jobs inside buildings, but the possibilities are limited.

Architectural glass and metal technicians can work almost anywhere, although they are more likely to find work in large cities than in smaller places. Generally, wages start at $20 per hour and can rise to over $38 per hour, or $42,000 to $81,000 per year. These technicians work with mirrors, prefabricated glass, and metal frames. Some of the work is indoors as people manufacture the items, and outside while they install the windows.

A Grade 10 education is the minimum for people in this trade, but high school graduation is better. Courses in math, English, science, and technology are helpful. Following high school, many people enter an apprenticeship program, which normally takes four years of both practical work and classroom studies. It is also possible for people with some experience to challenge the Certificate of Qualification.

Like in many trades, architectural glass and metal technicians can be part of the Red Seal program if they pass the Interprovincial Standards Examination. This means that they will be able to work in any province or territory without any additional training except for special tasks specific to the employer. That way, people in this trade can easily move to where the jobs are.

Architectural glass and metal technicians need a certain amount of physical fitness to be able to lift heavy objects and to work with potentially dangerous machines. Being able to stand for long periods of time is important. As physical stamina fades with age, people might want to move on to other jobs.

Like many trades, opportunities in this field depend on the economy and how many people start construction projects. Work is easier to find in large cities than in small towns, but some people may need to combine more than one job to earn a living. If this career sounds good to you, why not consider pursuing it?

Bibliography:

Durham Workforce. “Architectural Glass and Metal Technician.” http://durhamworkforceauthority.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Architectural-Glass-and-Metal-Technician.pdf

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. “Architectural Glass and Metal Technician.” https://oyap.ca/trades/?fuseaction=Profile&appnum=131

Payscale Canada. “Average Glazier Hourly Pay in Canada.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Glazier/Hourly_Rate

Some people like working with engines, taking them apart to see how they work and then putting them back together. These machines come in many different types, including marine engines. Working with these engines can be a rewarding career for people who enjoy mechanical work. If that describes you, why not consider becoming a marine engine technician?

Engines have many connected parts that help the machine to work properly, but these can also break or wear out. They need people to inspect, service, and repair them. Marine engines might be slightly different from other engines, but they have the same basic structure. Learning to build and repair other engines can help people deal with the types of issues they might face in working with marine engines.

Normally, marine engine technicians need at least a high school education with courses in topics like mathematics and English. For trade certification, people need a three- or four-year apprenticeship, or five years of work experience with some courses in machine repair or millwright work. In some parts of Canada, official certification is necessary. For that designation, people should be able to work with gasoline and diesel engines, electrical systems, steering systems, and other aspects of engine maintenance.

Since marine engines are for boats and ships, most of the work in this trade is close to the water on the east and west coasts of the country. Cargo ships and other large boats can provide work for many people in this trade. However, some work might be available near lakes and rivers, where people ride small boats for pleasure. Being willing to work with other types of engines can help provide a steady income, especially in winter when lakes and rivers are frozen and only the large ships can sail.

Attention to detail is an important quality for marine engine technicians. Making even small mistakes can cause an engine to break down, and technicians need to be careful. Good eyesight with or without glasses and steady hands can help people avoid making errors, and curiosity about machines can make the job interesting. Since machines can change over the years, marine engine technicians should be sure to keep up with the latest developments.

Like with most trades, people who work as marine engine mechanics can increase their pay and level of responsibility as they develop their skills. Wages usually begin at $21 per hour or $44,000 per year and can rise to $39 per hour or $81,000 per year with experience. People can specialize in a certain type of marine engine or work more generally with whatever is available. Choosing to specialize is easier for mechanics who work with mechanics who can take over other tasks, but it can be possible even for people who work alone.

The work of a marine engine technician can be tiring and sometimes stressful, especially if a job needs to be finished quickly. Sometimes, clients have tight deadlines, and mechanics have to get the work done before the ship has to leave the harbour. However, it can also be a very good job for people who enjoy working with their hands and solving problems. If this career sounds good, you can already start to prepare for a career as a marine engine mechanic through your schooling or work experience.

Bibliography:

Boating Industry in Canada. “Careers.” https://boatingindustry.ca/careers.

Georgian College. “Inspect, service and repair marine engines as a marine mechanic.” https://www.georgiancollege.ca/academics/programs/mechanical-techniques-marine-engine-mechanic/.

Job Bank. “Marine Engine Mechanic in Canada.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/requirements/17112/ca

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

When people read the news, act out a story, or narrate a documentary, they need others to take care of the filming, sound, and other technical aspects of the process. Broadcast technicians work with electronic equipment to produce programs for people to listen to or watch.  If you want to be part of making information and entertainment available to people, the job of broadcast technician might be right for you.

Good stories or music on the radio or television are not very useful unless people can see and hear them. On the radio, the sound is especially important since listeners have nothing to see. For television, both lighting and sound are essential. Broadcast technicians work with the equipment necessary for the actors, reporters, and other people who make television and radio so that they can concentrate on the content instead of the technical aspects of broadcasting.

Often, technicians must listen or watch carefully and make small adjustments to the light and volume controls. For example, some people have louder voices than others, and these adjustments can help to make the sound more pleasant for listeners. Filming indoors might also require lighting adjustments that are unnecessary outdoors. Often, the director of the program will make the decisions about what kinds of lighting or sound to have, but the broadcast technician should be able to follow directions but also make changes when necessary.

Generally, the minimum education for a broadcast technician is a certificate or diploma from a technical college, but some people might want to get a three- or four-year degree in broadcasting or related fields. In high school, courses in broadcasting or computers are helpful, but English and even theatre could also be useful.

Jobs are more likely to be available in large cities, but even small towns might also have openings for broadcast technicians. Salaries start at $58,000 and can rise to $65,900, depending partly on experience but also on the place. A radio station in a small town, for example, is likely to pay less than a broadcaster in a large city.

Working as a broadcast technician is not very physically difficult, but it can be busy and stressful, especially if something goes wrong with equipment during a broadcast. People in this career need to be very well prepared before a show, but also be ready to react quickly if a light breaks or a microphone stops working. Being able to work with people is important, but often workers in this job also need to be independent enough to get the necessary equipment together and check it for any problems.

Depending on the type of job, people in this field might have to work outdoors, recording special events such as weddings or graduations. The hours can be long when a project needs to be finished, but some broadcast technicians can find jobs with regular hours. Technological skills are important, and flexibility can be very helpful. The work can be repetitive if a scene needs to be redone, and people in this field should have a certain amount of patience.

Working as a broadcast technician can be good for people who enjoy being behind the scenes of radio or television. If you enjoy technology and making information and entertainment available to people, this job could be a good choice.

Bibliography:

Job Bank. “Broadcast Technician in Canada.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/summary-occupation/16280/ca.

Job Bank. “Broadcast Technician in Canada: Job Opportunities over the Next 3 Years.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/outlook-occupation/16280/ca

LinkedIn. “Broadcast Technician in Canada.” https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/broadcast-technician-jobs/?currentJobId=3444898894&originalSubdomain=ca.

Work BC. “Broadcast Technicians.” https://www.workbc.ca/career-profiles/broadcast-technicians.

If you’re considering jobs that have a good future, you might not think of working in a bindery. However, getting a job as a bindery worker can still be a good choice for people who enjoy working with machines and who like to make information and entertainment available to people. If this idea appeals to you, preparing for a job as a bindery worker could be the right decision to make.

Binderies are places where books, magazines, and pamphlets are put together and made ready to send out to a bookstore or other company. Sometimes, binderies also assemble the pages for a family album or travel book. Many places, like government offices, libraries, and community centres, also publish pamphlets with information about programs, issues, or any other information that they think people will need. Publishing companies are good places to find binding jobs.

Before a book or pamphlet goes to the bindery, someone must write the content and decide how to place the words and pictures on the pages. Bindery workers might sometimes be involved in helping people decide what works best so that everything on the page is readable. Have you ever read a book that it too tightly bound for you to read the words in the middle? Bindery workers help to make sure that this problem does not occur by setting the margins of a page at the right place to ensure that readers can see everything on the page without too much trouble.

Checking the book or other item before binding it is important. The customer might also check for any flaws, such as smudges or smears on the pages, before bringing the project to the bindery. However, a final check for any flaws can help bindery workers avoid problems later in the process. Sometimes, this might mean that customers need to redo parts of the project several times before bindery workers can begin.

Once the margins and other settings are established, bindery workers feed books or other materials into the binding machines according to what the client wants. Different publications might require stitching, glue, or staples. Filling the machine with the right materials is important for getting the job done. Once the books, magazines, or pamphlets have gone through the machine, bindery workers check each item to make sure that it is properly fastened together and that it will not fall apart.

Being detail-oriented is important for people working in binderies. The work can sometimes be physically difficult, and the machines can be loud. A certain amount of physical fitness is necessary for carrying books and papers from one place to another, but people can work in this field late into their careers. Wages start at about $15 per hour or $31,000 per year and can rise to $20 per hour or $41,000 per year.

Normally, a high school education is the main requirement for work in this field, but studying graphic arts or technology can also be helpful. People can find at least some work in this trade almost anywhere, but cities with large publishing companies are the best places for bindery jobs.

If you like physical work and helping make information available to people, this trade might be right for you.

Bibliography:

Career Planner. “Bindery Worker.” https://job-descriptions.careerplanner.com/Bindery-Workers.cfm.

Job Bank. “Bindery Worker—Printing in Canada.” https://www.on.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/summary-occupation/18521/ca.

Payscale Canada. “Bindery Worker: Hourly Rate.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Bindery_Worker/Hourly_Rate.

Every average kitchen has cabinets for storing dishes or food, and someone needs to build these cupboards. Working as a cabinet maker can be a good choice for people who are precise and who like to work with their hands. If that describes you, why not consider this trade?

When construction companies build houses, schools, or offices, they need someone to finish the interiors of the building. Cabinet makers are part of the process. They also work on renovations. The ability to follow instructions is important, since people ordering the cabinets might have specific ideas of what they want. For example, they might want special kinds of wood like oak or pine. They might want a plain design or something more elaborate. Being aware of current trends is important for being able to meet customers’ needs.

Generally, cabinet makers need at least a high school education. Certification is not required, but is available in most parts of Canada. However, most people in this trade go through an apprenticeship program. The length of these programs can vary, depending on the region, but most apprenticeships include four twelve-month periods with at least 5,440 hours of practical experience and four eight-week units of technical training. Some people can also choose to shorten their apprenticeships through studying at a college or technical institute, and work experience can help people get through the program quickly.

An ability to use tools such as saws, files, and paintbrushes is an important part of working as a cabinet maker. Some cabinet makers might also use special tools for particular jobs that they do. The work can be dusty and dirty, and getting splinters is a constant danger in working with wood. Some cabinet makers might also work with other materials, such as metal or fibreglass. Small injuries are common, and people in this field need to be careful to wear masks when they are working with certain materials.

Many cabinet makers work as contractors for construction companies or private individuals. They might own a cabinet-making business or work on a salary for a larger company. Generally, people in this trade earn between $42,000 and $60,000 per year, although some people can earn much more than that. Because the work can require endurance, especially when a job has to be finished quickly, it can become difficult for people as they age. After some point, people might decide to move on to a different aspect of the work, such as management.

Precision is a very important part of being a cabinet maker. Often, the first part of the job involves measuring out sections of wood or other materials and then marking them for cutting. Often, the cabinet maker will do the entire job from beginning to end, but sometimes a cabinet maker might do most of the planning and leave the rest of the work for others. People in this trade might need to know how to find customers, estimate costs, supervise employees, and deal with other aspects of management.

Cabinets can make a kitchen or office look better and more organized, besides being useful for storing dishes or other necessary items. Working as a cabinet maker can be a very satisfying job.

Bibliography:

Careers in Construction. “Cabinetmaker.” https://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/career/cabinetmaker.

Job Bank. “Cabinetmaker in Canada.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/requirements/16991/ca

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. “Cabinetmaker.” https://www.nait.ca/programs/cabinetmaker?term=1-winter.

Ontario Colleges. “Cabinetmaking.” https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/programs/professions-and-trades/cabinetmaking.

Talent.com. “Cabinet Maker Average Salary in Canada, 2022.” https://ca.talent.com/salary?job=cabinet+maker#.