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?
The unionized skilled trades offer hands-on work, strong career paths and the chance to make a real impact in your community. This industry honours the work it takes to build, maintain and care for our world – just like many generations have done before.
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.
Bricklayer
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
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 / Concrete Finisher
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
Electrician
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
Glazier
Glaziers cut and install glass and aluminum systems for commercial, residential and automotive applications. They are employed by construction glass installation contractors, repair and glass fabrication shops, and interior design and architectural firms. Because glass is everywhere, there is always a need for glaziers.
Responsibilities
- Read and interpret drawings & specifications
- Measure, cut, fit, install and/or secure glass panes, window parts & architectural metals
Hotel Sector Worker
Camp workers plan, prepare and serve meals and clean facilities in remote construction camps. These hospitality workers play a critical role on site! UNITE HERE Local 47 supplies workers through the hiring hall to work in remote camps in Northern Alberta. It takes dedication, responsibility and relevant experience to be a camp worker!
Responsibilities
- Safely operate kitchen equipment Prepare meals and cook using grills, ovens & fryers
- Ensure proper storage and rotation of foods per health/sanitation guidelines
Instrumentation Technician
Instrumentation technicians install, maintain & repair the measuring and control instruments used in industrial and commercial processing. Instrumentation technicians work with a wide variety of electronic and microcomputer instruments used to measure and control variables such as pressure, flow, temperature, level, motion, force and chemical composition.
Responsibilities
- Consult manufacturers manuals to determine test and maintenance procedures
- Use pneumatic, electrical and electronic testing devices to inspect and test instrument and system operations
Insulator
Heat and frost insulators work with more than just heating and cooling, they also help reduce the passage of sound, air, smoke and fire. They are essential to every large institutional, commercial and industrial construction project in the country, as well as residential construction.
Responsibilities
- Apply and secure insulation using spraying, blowing, pasting, strapping, taping and other application and installation methods
- Read and interpret specifications to select the type of insulation required
Ironworker – Reinforcing
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
Labourer
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
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
Painter
Painters apply a range of coatings to beautify, identify, and protect interior and exterior surfaces and structures from weather, UV, chemicals, abrasion and fire. From housing, hospitals, schools, office towers, and retail stores to bridges, tanks, pipelines, structural steel and hydro generation a painter does it all.
Responsibilities
- Repair, clean and prepare wood, plaster, stucco, stone, concrete, brick, steel and other materials
- Apply paint and other materials using brushes, rollers or spray equipment
Plasterer – Fireproofer
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
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
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanics work with primary or secondary refrigeration and air conditioning systems. They install, troubleshoot and repair systems such as residential central air conditioning and commercial & industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Responsibilities
- Remove refrigerants from refrigeration & air conditioning systems
- Install, remove, recycle, store and dispose of refrigerants
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
Sprinkler System Installer
Sprinkler System Installers build, install, adjust, maintain and repair sprinkler systems on industrial, commercial and residential sites. They can be self-employed or work with construction firms, plumbing contractors, heating & air conditioning companies, building developers or sprinkler system contractors. They work primarily indoors but may also install outdoor systems above and below ground.
Responsibilities
- Read and interpret prints & specifications to determine location, size & material required
- Examine, inspect and test sprinkler systems
Steamfitter/Pipefitter
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
Teamster
Teamsters are involved in the transportation of materials in a variety of industries, including agricultural, forestry, health, manufacturing, mining, oil & gas, transportation and wholesale/retail industries. They are employed by organizations that produce, process and use products such as office supplies, tools and equipment, food goods, textile products, farm equipment or industrial supplies.
Responsibilities
- Operate and drive straight or articulated trucks and lighter, special purpose trucks
- Plan routes and meet delivery schedules
Welder
Welders apply heat to metal pieces to melt and fuse them together. They join or sever metals in beams, girders, vessels, piping and other metal components. They weld parts, tools, machines and equipment, and make metal parts used in construction and manufacturing. Welders work indoors and outdoors, depending on the industry or welding project. This career involves a variety of job duties.
Responsibilities
- Use different welding processes & fillers
- Follow directions in layouts, blueprints & work orders
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.
