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.
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
Crane Operator
Crane operators work on cranes or draglines to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment and other large objects. They can work at construction or industrial sites, ports, railway yards, surface mines or other similar locations. There are three main types of cranes (boom trucks, mobile cranes and tower cranes) and various other types one can specialize in.
Responsibilities
- Operate cranes to lift, move, position or place equipment and materials
- Inspect cranes and calculate capacities and weight
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
Heavy Equipment Operator / Operating Engineer
Heavy equipment operators run heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures.
Responsibilities
- Operate heavy equipment during construction and related activities
- Operate computer-controlled equipment and hydraulic pumping systems
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
Lineman
Reinforcing Rodworker
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
Skilled 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
Underground Workers (Miner, Blaster, Driller)
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.
