Explore the Trades
Interested in working in the Canadian construction industry but not sure which trade is the best fit for you? Check out the many skilled trades in Manitoba and start your career journey here.
Explore the Trades
Interested in working in the Canadian construction industry but not sure which trade is the best fit for you? Check out the many skilled trades in Manitoba and start your career journey here.
Boilermakers build, repair, test and maintain all types of boilers, tanks and pressure vessels and related metal products for building manufacturing and industrial processes in heavy industry. They perform structural and plate work on dust, air, gas, steam, oil, water and other liquid-tight containers.
Responsibilities
- Lay out patterns and fit and weld parts together
- Install, repair and maintain boilers and heavy-metal products
Bricklayers work with masonry materials such as brick, concrete block, stone, structural tile and pre-cast panels to construct and repair structures like walls, partitions, patios, arches, fireplaces, chimneys and other elements. They often work on commercial, industrial and residential buildings.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and lay bricks, concrete blocks, structural tiles or other masonry units
- Read sketches and blueprints to calculate materials required
Carpenters construct, maintain and repair structures made of wood and wood substitutes, steel, concrete and other materials. They can work with construction companies, carpentry contractors and maintenance departments of factories, plants and other establishments, or they can be self-employed.
Responsibilities
- Read and interpret blueprints and drawings
- Calculate requirements and prepare layouts to follow building codes
Cement masons/finishers construct, level and finish freshly poured concrete. They install, maintain and restore concrete structures such as foundations, floors, ceilings and walls, sidewalks, roads, patios and high-rise buildings. In this career, they can work with construction companies, cement and concrete contractors and manufacturers of precast concrete products, or can be self-employed.
Responsibilities
- Direct placement of concrete, check formwork and steel reinforcement materials
- Install anchor bolts, steel plates, door sills and other fixtures
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
Electricians install new electrical systems and test, replace, upgrade and service existing systems in all types of buildings and structures. There’s also growing demand for specialized work with controls, fiber optics and communication and computer networks.
Responsibilities
- Read and interpret blueprints, maps, drawings and specifications
- Test and measure voltage, loads, ground faults integrity of circuits
Elevator constructors and mechanics assemble, install, maintain and repair freight and passenger elevators, escalators, moving walkways and other related equipment. In this career, they are most often employed by elevator construction and maintenance companies. They may specialize in installation, maintenance or repair.
Responsibilities
- Install and wire electric and electronic control system devices
- Adjust valves, seals, brake linings and other components
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
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration mechanics install, troubleshoot and repair entire heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems such as residential central air conditioning and commercial and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Responsibilities
- Measure and install refrigeration and air conditioning components
- Replace components for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems
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
Ironworkers assemble, hoist, repair and service steel framework and other metals and materials used in buildings, bridges, highways, dams and other structures. They can manufacture refabricated construction components and buildings, and custom-fabricate fine wrought-iron architectural ornamentation.
Responsibilities
- Position and secure steel bars or metal mesh in concrete forms to reinforce concrete structures
- Erect and install scaffolding, falsework and other working platforms
Labourers use diverse skills in a variety of construction activities, including preparing construction sites, moving equipment and materials, installing water and sewer lines, operating hand tools, often working with concrete, and cleaning up finished sites. They are essential in assisting many other trades on site.
Responsibilities
- Perform various duties involving lifting, carrying tool use and machinery management
- Install and remove scaffolding, ramps and barricades at construction site
Millwrights install, service, diagnose and repair all types of industrial machinery and heavy equipment used in many industries. They work on a range of equipment such as pumps, compressors, turbines and mining equipment using a combination of hand, power and precision tools. Millwrights can also weld and fabricate.
Responsibilities
- Detect and troubleshoot mechanical problems
- Repair or replace defective machinery parts Assemble and install machinery and equipment using tools
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 office towers and retail stores to bridges and pipelines, a Red Seal 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
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.
Responsibilities
- Read blueprints and drawings for plumbing system layouts, water supply networks and waste and drainage systems
- Determine piping system requirements and pipe sizing
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 fitters build, install, inspect, maintain and repair sprinkler systems on industrial, commercial and residential sites. They can be self-employed or work with construction firms, plumbing contractors, heating and air conditioning companies, building developers or sprinkler system contractors.
Responsibilities
- Read and interpret work specifications and fire codes
- Inspect, maintain and repair piping, fixtures and controls including hydrant, pump and sprinkler head connections
Steamfitters/pipefitters build, assemble, maintain and repair piping systems that carry water, steam, chemicals or fuel in heating, cooling, lubricating and other process piping systems. Because of this, much of their work is industrial. They work indoors or outdoors, and the job can be physically demanding.
Responsibilities
- Install supports, valves, piping and control systems
- Measure, cut, thread, bend and install metal, plastic and fiberglass pipes, valves and fittings
Teamsters are involved in the transportation of materials across a wide variety of industries. Transport truck drivers operate heavy trucks via urban, interurban, provincial and international routes. They are employed by transportation, manufacturing, distribution and moving companies, and trucking employment service agencies, or they may be self-employed.
Responsibilities
- Operate and drive straight or articulated trucks and lighter, special purpose trucks
- Plan routes and meet delivery schedules
