Looking for a career that builds your future and your community?
What if you could learn practical skills and build a career that supports your goals and values?
Hear from Indigenous tradespeople about how they’ve built strong, meaningful careers while staying connected to their values, communities and goals.
The unionized skilled trades offer:
- Paid, hands-on training
- Real-world experience from day one
- A path to stability through union support, with access to benefits and pension security
- A community that supports your success
Sound good? Your next steps are to explore the trades and start preparing for an apprenticeship.
Explore the trades below to find one that suits your skills and interests! When you’re ready for the next step, try the Build Your Skills Learning Hub – it’s your complete resource to support you through every step of your skilled trades journey.
Start your career journey here!
Explore the trades below to find the best fit for you.
Boilermaker
Bricklayer Craft Worker
Bricklayers prepare, lay brick and other masonry units to construct and repair structures such as walls, partitions, fireplaces and chimneys. They also lay or install fire brick or castable materials on commercial or industrial projects.
Responsibilities
- Read sketches & blueprints to calculate materials required
- Spread mortar and prepare and lay bricks, concrete blocks or other masonry units
Building Concrete, Excavations & Common Laborer
Cabinetmaker
Carpenter
Carpenters construct, maintain and repair structures made of wood and wood substitutes, steel, concrete and other materials. Their duties vary according to job type, including residential, commercial, industrial or maintenance, and some specialize in one type of work. Carpenters can work with construction companies, carpentry contractors and maintenance departments, or can be self-employed.
Responsibilities
- Read and interpret blueprints, drawings and instructions
- Calculate requirements and prepare layouts to follow building codes
Cement Mason
Cement masons/finishers construct, place and finish freshly poured concrete. They install, maintain and restore concrete structures. In this career, they can work with construction companies, cement and concrete contractors and manufacturers, or can be self-employed.
Responsibilities
- Place concrete, check formwork and steel reinforcement materials
- Have knowledge of grouts, epoxy material & concrete curing materials
Concrete Worker
Construction & General Building Laborer
Derrickman & Rigger
Dockbuilder
Drywaller
Electrician - Construction and Residential
Electricians install, test, repair, maintain and upgrade new and existing electrical systems designed to provide heat, light, power, control, signal or fire alarms for all types of buildings, structures and premises. There is growing demand for specialization in controls, fiber optics and communication & computer networks.
Responsibilities
- Read and interpret drawings and electrical code specifications
- Cut, thread, assemble and install conduits, other electrical conductor enclosures & fittings
Elevator Constructor
Floor Coverer
General Building Laborer
Construction craft labourers use diverse skills in a variety of construction activities, including preparing and cleaning up construction sites, moving equipment and materials, operating hand tools and performing demolition and excavation activities. They are essential in assisting many other trades on site. Their duties and responsibilities vary from job to job.
Responsibilities
- Perform various duties involving tool use, equipment and machinery
- Handle, distribute, lift and carry construction materials
Hoisting and Portable Operating Engineer
Installation Worker
Ironworker
Ironworker – Reinforcing tradespeople place and tie reinforcing material. They place and tie reinforcing steel, and post-tension tendons and related components to reinforce concrete structures.
Responsibilities
- Read blueprints & specifications to lay out work
- Safely operate tools & equipment
Ironworker – Structural
Ironworker – Structural/Ornamental tradespeople fabricate and construct structural steel buildings, bridges, pre-cast structures, ornamental ironwork and join scaffolding. They erect structural steel and pre-cast components, install conveyors, secondary steel, curtain wall and sometimes perform reconstructive work on existing structures.
Responsibilities
- Read blueprints & specifications to lay out work
- Safely operate tools & equipment
Lather
Millwright
Millwrights install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment used in many industries. They work on a range of equipment in factories, production plants and recreational facilities.
Responsibilities
- Read diagrams and schematic drawings to determine work procedures
- Detect and troubleshoot mechanical problems and malfunctions
Operating Engineer
Paver
Plasterer
Plasterers select, mix and apply gypsum, cement and acrylic mixtures to exterior and interior walls and ceilings to produce clean finishes or decorative surfaces that are fire, weather or sound resistant. Plasterers can work on industrial, residential and commercial projects, and their duties vary according to the type of job.
Responsibilities
- Residential jobs: Apply plaster material over interior or exterior masonry surfaces, especially manufactured wallboard & drywall surfaces, including plaster, stucco or acrylic
- Industrial and commercial jobs: Spray specialized coatings for sound control and hand-trowel or spray fireproofing material for fire protection
Plumber Roofer
Plumbers install, remodel and maintain systems that carry water, steam, air and other liquids or gases necessary for sanitation, industrial production, heating, air conditioning and many other systems. Because they work in all kinds of industries, there are nearly endless work opportunities. On a typical construction job, they do the “roughing in” after the frame and roof of a new building are in place.
Responsibilities
- Read blueprints & specifications to determine plumbing layout
- Locate, mark, join and secure pipe sections
Sheet Metal Worker
Sheet metal workers design, create, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products, including heating, venting and air conditioning systems, pollution control systems and other metal structures. They work indoors and outdoors, on construction sites and in shops.
Responsibilities
- Build and install products such as eavestroughs, air and heat ducts, roof decking and sheet metal buildings
- Lay out, measure and mark sheet metal
Steamfitter
Steamfitters/Pipefitters build, assemble, maintain & repair piping systems that carry water, steam, chemicals or fuel in heating, cooling, lubricating and other processes. Because of this, much of their work is industrial or commercial. Pipefitters also remove and replace worn components, do general maintenance work and may work on plant shutdowns.
Responsibilities
- Install piping systems in commercial buildings or industrial plants
- Study blueprints, drawings & specifications
Tile, Marble & Terrazzo Worker
Timberman
The skilled construction trades are for everyone!
Amazing mentors
Earning potential
Work-life balance
Rewarding careers
Not sure which skilled trade is right for you?
There are tons of different trades within the unionized construction industry, and each offers a different kind of challenge and reward.
Explore the trades above to...
- Learn the day-to-day responsibilities associated with each skilled trade
- Explore the skills and attributes needed for each trade
- Find a trade that fits your skills and interests
Wondering if you’ve got what it takes to succeed in the trades?
There are tons of resources to help you get started in an apprenticeship and a lifelong career in the unionized skilled trades.
The Build Your Skills Learning Hub can help you...
- Brush up on your math, science, reading and more
- Find easy-to-follow lessons, interactive activities and video tutorials
- Feel confident as you prepare for an apprenticeship
Do you have resources for apprentices?
When you are in apprenticeship training, there are loads of resources to help you succeed.
The Build Your Skills Learning Hub gives you...
- Trade-specific resources, interactive activities and video tutorials to help you tackle technical training concepts.
- Professional development topics to help enhance your career in the skilled construction trades.
- A Red Seal prep course to help you achieve your Red Seal or trade certification.
