HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A typical path starts in secondary school with courses in shop, art, math, and technology, plus any co-op or part-time work in woodworking, painting, or manufacturing. Many people learn the job through on-the-job training as helpers or machine operators in furniture, cabinet, or metal finishing shops. Some employers may prefer candidates with experience using spray equipment, hand tools, or finishing products, and requirements can vary by workplace, province, or the type of finishing work. Early experience with careful measuring, sanding, mixing colours, and following safety rules can help build the skills needed for this hands-on trade.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Set up and operate finishing machines or finish furniture by hand
- Stain or finish wood to specified colour with stains, paints or other materials using brush or spray gun
- Apply toners, highlights, glazes or shaders to obtain desired finish
- Apply lacquer or other sealers
- Decorate wood surfaces or mark surfaces to create antique or other effects using hand and power tools
- Clean and polish furniture
- Sand metal furniture to prepare for finish and spray with paint or other materials.
SKILLS TO BUILD
Skills used in this Career
Customer RelationsMental measurements/calculationsDetail/precision WorkRecording Information