available from information canada, ottawa, k1a 0s9 ...department of manpower and immigration, ottawa...

ED 112 272

TITLEINSTITUTION

PUB DATENOTEAVAILABLE FROM

EDRS PRICEDESCRIPTORS

IDENTIFIERS

ABSTRACT

DOCUMENT RESUME

CG 010 045

Careers Canada. Volume 1, Careers in Ccnstruction.Department of Manpower and Immigration, Ottawa(Ontario).7536p.; For related documents, see CG 010 046-048Information Canada, Ottawa, K1A 0S9, Ontario, Canada(HC-$1.00)

MF-$0.76 Plus Postage. HC Not Available from EDRS.*Building Trades; Career Opportunities; *CcnstructionIndustry; Government Publications; OccupationalClusters; *Occupational Information*Canada

This pamphlet, published by the Canadian Departmentof Manpower and Immigration, is the first of a Careers-Canada seriesand describes careers in construction. The pamphlet is divided intosix major sections: (1) history and importance; (2) nature of thework, including planning, contracting, site preparation, roofing,finishing, plumbing; (3) workers in the industry, including designand technical staff, architects, civil engineers, and land surveyors;(4) on-site construction workers; (5) preparation and training; and(6) seeking employment. Several photographs are included. (RWP)

***********************************************************************Documents acquired by ERIC include many informal unpublished

* materials not available from other sources. ERIC makes every effcrt ** to obtain the best copy available. Nevertheless, items of marginal ** reproducibility are often encountered and this affects the quality ** of the microfiche and hardcopy reproductions ERIC makes available ** via the ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS). EERS is not* responsible for the quality of the original document. Reproductions ** supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original.***********************************************************************

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I* Manpower Main-d'oeuvre 1111and immigration et Immigration

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Information CanadaOttawa, 1975

Cat. No.: M11P70-20/ 1-1975Librairic itcatichcmin Limit 6cContract No. 38434-74-40453

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER

All Canadians must be given the opportunity to determine their abilities,develop them through education and training, and apply their talents in ameaningful occupation. To achieve this goal, sound information must be madeavailable to every Canadian at a stage in their development where fruitfuldecisions can be made. Careers - Canada is a major effort towards this end.

The benefits of the Careers-Canada series should affect many people: thestudent considering entrance into the world of work; the worker seeking tochange occupations; the prospective immigrant; the manpower or vocationalguidance counsellor, in fact, anyone wishing to match people with jobs.

Many people have been involved in the production of Careers Canada, I jointhem in wishing you every success in your career search.

Robert Andras

'1

NOTE TO READERS

The ultimate judge of any material is the user. It is recognized that improve-ments can be made in the initial booklets and we ask all readers to forward anysuggestions to us. The consolidation of these comments will allow us to betterprovide you with the type of information required.

Suggestions and comments should be addressed to:

Director,Occupational and Career Analysisand Development Branch,Department of Manpower and Immigration,305 Rideau Street,OTTAWA, Ontario.K1A 0J9

HISTORY AND IMPORTANCE

NATURE OF WORKInitiation of WorkPlanningContractingOn-site ConstructionSite PreparationFoundationsFramingExterior Finishing and RoofingElectrical WiringPlumbingSpecial InstallationsInterior Finishing

WORKERS IN THE INDUSTRYDesign and Technical StaffArchitectsCivil EngineersLand SurveyorsThe Technical Team

CONTENTS

1

3

33445

5

6

6

7778

9

9

9

9

10

10

ON-SITE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS 11Carpenters 11Bricklayers and Stonemasons 12Structural Metal Workers 14Roofers 15Electricians 16Plumbers and Pipe Fitters 17Sheet-metal Workers 18Insulators 18Glaziers 19Plasterers and Related Occupations 19Tile Setters and Terrazzo Workers 20Concrete and Cement Finishers 21Floor Layers 22Painters and Decorators 22Construction Labourers 23Construction Machinery Operators (Heavy-equipment Operators) 24

PREPARATION AND TRAINING 25Apprenticeship Training 25Working Conditions 25Advancement 26Employment Outlook 26

SEEKING EMPLOYMENT 29

RELATED PUBLICATIONS 30

What is the Construction Industry?

If you stop and think about it, howmany construction projects couldyou list in your neighbourhood alone?A new home is taking shape in thevacant lot at the corner. The road-way which takes you from your hometo the nearest shopping centre isbeing widened to accommodate in-creasing traffic. A huge grey high-rise apartment building is breakingthe skyline across the street fromyour school. And chances are thateither the gas company or the cityworks department is putting in newpiping somewhere within blocks ofyour home.

These jobs and more - dams, bridges,highways - are what the constructionindustry is all about, meeting theneeds of people -to be warm andcomfortable, to get from one spot toanother, to have a place to work:'

The industry has come a long way inCanada since early settlers built theirlog cabins along the St. Lawrenceand the first roads were cut throughtimber and rock. The earliest homeswere of wood, but with the need formore permanent buildings, stonequarries, brick and tile plants, andlime kilns opened up around Trois-Rivieres, and stonemasons, brick-layers, and other craftsmen becameactive. Sheet-metal workerswerebusy on the silver-toned roofs sotypical of old Quebec. As the countrygrew, docks and harbours were builtto land settlers, and new roads,canals, and bridges took them overland and water westward.

As Canada's population grew, so didthe construction industry, and as itgrew, it changed. New methods ofoperation came into being, and theworkers themselves became morespecialized to carry out the moreinvolved jobs.


Today more than 692,000 people areemployed in firms involved only inconstruction. Others are withgovernment agencies, public utilitycompanies(hydro, telephone, forexample), or manufacturing estab-lishments, and work either on con-struction projects or in the mainte-nance of building. Many constructionworkers have no`permanent place ofemployment. When one job is fin-ished, they move on to the next,sometimes even from province toprovince.

The work done by the constructionindustry is varied and involves notonly new construction projects butalso large numbers of repair, mainte-nance, and renovation jobs. And thefirms that do these jobs are just asvaried. To help you understand thevariety of employment availableunder the heading "Construction,"construction work has been split intotwo divisions- building constructionand engineering construction. Somefirms, usually called "heavy con-struction companies," are involvedin both engineering and building.

Engineering construction firmsusually undertake large-scale proj-ects- roadways, railroads, airports,bridges, tunnels, and subways; pipe-lines, power, and communicationssystems; marine works such as docks,harbours, and piers; and reservoirs,canals, dams, sanitary systems, andother waterworks. The operations ofthese firms can cover large distances,and in most cases, workers are hiredlocally. Such companies maintaintheir own work force of supervisory,technical, and skilled personnel whoare required to travel and live con-siderable distances from their homes.Since most of these projects arelarge, workers can expect a numberof years of employment beforemoving to another major constructionjob.

Building Construction can be sepa-rated into three main fields of work.General contractors construct,maintain and repair larger buildings,such as office complexes, schools,hospitals, and shopping centres.Some on-site developers buildhousing projects, stores, and smallapartment houses to sell once thework has begun or been completed.Both contractors and developershave their own work crews and astaff of estimators, site superinten-dents, and other key workers.

Subcontractors provide labour andservices to general contractors in anyone of a large number of specialtiesfrom carpenters to plumbers toglaziers to floor layers; these arecovered on pages 11 to 24.

Added to this list of possible em-ployers are industrial companies andgovernment agencies who hire brick-layers, painters, and carpenters, inaddition to architects, engineers, andother technical staff.'City worksdepartments need people to con-struct and maintain streets, watersupplies, and public utilities, as dorailway companies who build andservice their own rights-of-way.These workers, in contrast with thoseemployed by construction com-panies, have a more permanentworkplace and position.

1


INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION

MAINTENANCE MANUFACTURERS AND ON SITE GENERAL HEAVY CONSTRUCTION SPECIALITYCONTRACTORS "OTHER INDUSTRIALISTS DEVELOPERS 'CONTRACTORS CONTRACTORS I CONTRACTORS'

MAINTENANCEOF

EXISTING STRUCTURES

STRUCTURAL

BUILDINGS CANALSHOMES ROADS

INDUSTRIAL BRIDGESSTORES STREETS

COMMERCIAL TUNNELSAPARTMENTS HIGHWAYS

. ANSTITUTIONAIRESERVOIRS

ON-SITE ORGANIZATION

CLERKS-OF-WORKSPROJECT ENGINEERS

SUPERVISORS

, SITE FOREMAN

FINISHING

SPECIAL SERVICES JIM

SUBCONTRACTORS PLANNING AND ESTIMATING

HEAD OFFICE

SITE SURVEYSRESEARCH DESIGN

MECHANICAL

SURVEYORSARCHITECTSENGINEERS

DRAFTSMENESTIMATORS

CARPENTERS

BRICKLAYERSSTONEMASONS

CEMENT WORKERSSTRUCTURAL STEEL WORKERSREINFORCING IRON WORKERS

INSULATORS

2

ROOFERS

FLOOR LAYERSTILE SETTERS

TERRAllO WORKERSPLASTERERS AND LATHERS

PAINTERS AND DECORATORSGLAZIERS

I.

ELECTRICIANSSHEET-METAL WORKERS

PLUMBERS AND PIPE FITTERSHEAVY-EQUIPMENT OPERATORS

+.)

Initiation of Work

What do construction workers do?

How does it begin?

Work on a construction project maybegin in a number of ways. Manyprojects are begun by either a buyeror an owner of land. In the construc-tion of housing projects and the like,a general contractor may act asdeveloper and both gets the projectrolling and completes the work. In thecase of roadways and bridges, thedeveloper may be a municipal orprovincial authority. A public utilitycompany may require a new genera-ting station, or an industrial companya new factory. On-site developersbuy land for the construction of ashopping centre or apartmentbuilding.

Planning

The planning of a constructionproject begins with a "feasibilitystudy," often under the direction ofan architect or civil engineer or both.This study establishes the suitabilityof the site, whether the project canbe done, and how to do it.

Information is also obtained fromother specialists. A proposed newhighway may call for a geologicalstudy of the area. If a tunnel is to bebuilt or land excavated, boring crewsdrill and provide samples of the soilstructure to soil engineers. Theirfindings will determine whether theroute is suitable and the kind offoundation required for bridges andoverpasses.

A new power station, reservoir ordam requires a study of severalalternative sites. Natural featuresmay be chartered by land surveyors,who must also consider land eleva-

NATURE OF WORK

tions and legal land boundaries. Thetype of structure to be built - whetherthe bridge is cantilever, suspension,or supported on piers -and the mate-rials to be used will involve otherpersonnel such as mechanical andhydraulic engineers.

If the results of a study prove satis-factory, preliminary drawings andcost estimates of the structure aremade for the owner and checkedagainst governmental building regu-lations. Depending on the kind ofstructure, these drawings may beprepared under the direction of anarchitect or an engineer, or they maywork together -the architect takingresponsibility for general design andappearance and the engineer beingconcerned with structural features.The services of mining, hydraulic,and sanitary engineers plus the de-signers of electrical, air-conditioning,and similar installations may also berequired on a consulting basis.

When the owner approves the pre-liminary plans, design plans and thedetailed drawings and specificationsto be used on the project site areprepared. All this information thengoes to general contractors who sub-mit "tenders" (how and at what pricethey can do the job) for the con-struction.

3

NATURE OF WORK

Contracting

Before a tender for a project can besubmitted, a general cortractor hasestimators or quantity surveyorsfigure out amounts and costs ofmaterials, labour, and services. Thecontractor may also ask subcontrac-tors to give prices for their specialty.Asteel-fabricating company, forexample, may tender for the con-struction and erection of steelwork,or an electrical subcontractor maysubmit costsfor lighting and electricalpower installations.

4

On-site Construction

The contractor who is chosen to dothe job starts work with a projectsuperintendent, a general foremanwho is the link between the super-intendent, sub-contractors, keypersonnel who survey and lay out atthe actual site, and other skilledworkers. Larger construction sitesusually require a resident engineer tocheck how the work is going for thecivil engineer, or a clerk-of-workswho does the same thing for thearchitect.

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Site Preparation

Temporary roads and water andpower supplies, plus accommodationfor workers and materials, may firstbe required. Trees, undergrowth, androcks are cleared by slashers,burners, and bulldozer operators,and, where necessary, existingbuildings are demolished by wreckerseither by hand, or by demolitioncharges. Elevations and levellingpoints are determined by engineersor' other technical staff, and the site isexcavated by shovel operators andlevelled by grader operators.

The handling of materials at the ex-cavation site requires the use ofpower-driven equipment, such asdraglines and scrapers, manned byskilled equipment operators andvehicle drivers.

Almost every construction site isdifferent, requiring a variety of con-struction workers. In excavating,rock may have to be drilled by pneu-matic drill operators and blasted byshotfirers(blasters). In tunnellingoperations, miners lay and fire ex-plosive charges. Engines for pumpingwater out of an excavation and pro-viding power for other purposes arekept in running order by pump oper-ators or stationary engineers. Inmarine and subway operations,caisson workers operate in chamberspressurized with air from plants con-trolled by air-lock tenders. If under-water work is necessary, a diver maybe needed to fasten lifting gear, laystone and concrete blocks, or usepneumatic or welding tools.

Highway construction consistsmainly of excavating and gradingcarried out by operators of earth-moving, levelling, and transportequipment. The actual paving is doneby concrete workers, asphalt layers,rakers, tampers, and paving-machineoperators.

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411

NATURE OF WORK

Foundations

The foundations which carry theweight of the structure are laid onceexcavation is completed. Where theground is soft, pilings-of steel, con-crete, or wood are machine-driveninto the ground by a crew of piledrivers to give support to thefoundation.

Concrete is used extensively forfoundations and for retaining walls,floors, and support columns. Woodenforms which give the concrete therequired shape and provide supportwhile it hardens are installed by formcarpenters, who also install chutesthrough which the concrete Is poured.Metal forms are also used. Installa-tion in this case is performed by formsetters. Most concrete structures arestrengthened with steel rods whichare set within the forms by reinforcingiron workers.

As a rule, concrete ready for pouringis delivered to the construction siteby commercial suppliers. On someprojects, particularly road building,the concrete is mixed with aggregateat the site by mixing and batch plantoperators, and poured into chutesleading to the forms or forced intothe forms by concrete-pump opera-tors. Vibrator operators work theconcrete to remove airspaces, andconcrete finishers level the surfaces.

5

NATURE OF WORK

Framing

Framing and the following stages ofconstruction are limited mainly tobuilding projects and do not usuallyoccur in engineering projects suchas dams and canals. Construction ofsteel bridges and transmission towersdoes, however, include a stagesimilar to structural steel rigging,which is outlined later.

The term "framing" is generally ap-plied to the work of frame carpentersor framers in housing and small scaleconstruction. These carpenters laywooden sills on the foundation, onwhich the floor joists rest; lay sub-flooring; erect the studs for siding andwalls, and complete the roof frame.

Framing for large buildings calls forengineering skill and the specializedknowledge of many different workers.The materials used must be able tocarry heavy loads. Structural steel,reinforced concrete, and pre-stressedconcrete beams and girders arecommon framing materials.

In steel framing, girders, rafters,trusses, braces, and other steel sup-ports are made according to specifi-cations in a steel-fabricating plantand brought to the construction sitewhere they are unloaded and hoistedinto place by crane operators. Struc-tural steel workers bolt them tem-porarily into place and align thesupports. They are then permanentlysecured by welders or riveters.

In reinforced concrete framing, theupright columns, floor girders andbeams, and roof supports are madeof reinforced concrete poured intoforms or moulds and allowed to hard-en. Floors and roof slabs may also beformed in this way. Concrete formersor formers build the plywood forms,steel reinforcing bars are bent andpositioned by iron workers, and con-crete is poured into forms anda'lowed to harden.

Exterior Finishing and Roofing

Exterior finishing protects buildingsagainst the weather and gives anattractive appearance to the struc-ture. The materials used in finishingwill determine whether exterior clad-ders, carpenters, bricklayers, stone-masons, sheet-metal workers, orplasterers or a combination of thesetrades are used.

When the exterior walls are com-pleted and openings for windows anddoors framed, sashes of metal orwood are installed and caulkersweatherproof the joints with sealingcompounds. Window sashes are fre-quently supplied already glazed. Ifnot, cutting the glass and mounting itin the framework is the job of crewsof glaziers and metal mechanics.Plate glass, such as is used in storefronts and doors, may be mounted inmetal channels. Where the glass isnot framed, as in a theatre and storedoors, it must be cut to accommodatehandles, hinges, and other hardware.

When roof framing is completed,insulators apply non-conductivematerials to walls and ceilings. Car-penters then lay wood sheathing onthe roof framework, and roofers nailon overlapping shingles of asphalt orwood or apply a hot tar and gravelcoating.

Electrical Wiring

Electricians install the electricalwiring from the fuse panel to the out-let boxes before the wall studs arecovered. The positioning of the fix-tures, outlets and switches is deter-mined from the blueprints of thebuilding. The final connections arecompleted when the interior wallshave been finished.

Plumbing

Plumbers cut, thread, and installpipes and valves and make connec-tions with water mains and sewers.Some fixtures are installed at thisstage, while others must wait untilinterior walls are completed.

NATURE OF WORK

Special Installations

Modern building requirements gobeyond standard electrical andplumbing installations. Automaticheat controls, refrigeration, or air-conditioning equipment involvingmultiple thermostat controls, me-chanical and electronic switching,and cut-out panels are installed andbrought into operation by furnaceinstallers, air-conditioning and re-frigeration mechanics, pipe fitters,and electrical technicians.

7

NATURE OF WORK

Interior Finishing

Plaster has been the traditional in-terior wall finish, but developments in"dry wall" (composition plaster-board) and wood panelling offer newand different finishes. Wood lath,once used as a base on which toapply plaster, has given way to metallath and plasterboard. Lathers nailor staple plasterboard or metal lathwhich forms the base for the plaster.Plasterers prepare all surfaces andthen apply plaster to the walls.

Some carpenters specialize in layingfloors. Wood is nailed to the subfloorboards, sanded, and protective coat-ings of sealer and wax are applied.Tile, terrazzo, asphalt, and concretebrick are laid by tile setters; andvinyl, carpeting, or similar resilientmaterials by floor layers.

Finish carpenters, skilled in detailwork, complete stairs, moulding, cup-boards, panelling, doors, and win-dows. These specialties may be doneby stair builders or interior trimmers.

Final work to the building is done bypainters and decorators who applypaints and varnishes or wallpaper.Ornamental iron workers add decora-tive iron supports or railings, columns,stairs, or gates where required.

Some large buildings require addi-tional fixtures such as elevators,escalators, water tanks, sprinklersystems, or refrigerated storagerooms. These are usually installed bymanufacturer's specialists.

8

Workers in the Industry

Occupations in the constructionindustry fall into two groups(1) de-sign and technical staff and (2) con-struction workers employed at theactual building site. The main reasonfor this division is a marked differ-ence in methods of training andworking conditions.

Teams of specialists carry out de-sign and technical tasks under thedirection of architects and civil engi-neers. These functions requireknowledge of mathematics, science,and similar subjects normally obtain-ed through courses in high schooland later at a university, communitycollege, CEGEP or Institute of Tech-nology.

On-site construction work requiresmanual skills and is done by workerswhose training is frequently a com-bination of work experience andtrade-school education.

Design and Technical Staff

Architects

Architects may prepare design andworking drawings and specificationsfor a variety of projects from privatehomes to large housing develop-ments. They co-ordinate the work ofother design consultants and super-vise the construction for the owner.Architects may also be involved intown and city planning, buildinginspection and appraisal, teaching,and research.

The architect first consults with theclient to determine the purpose of theproject, its size and possible loca-tion, cost range, and other consider-ations. Preliminary sketches andcost estimates are made. This infor-mation is submitted to the client forapproval.

The architect's staff then preparesworking drawings and other data inline with building codes and localregulations. These drawings outlinethe details of the project and specifythe quantity and quality of materialsand workmanship. They are used bythe contractor to estimate prices and,later, as instructions to workers onthe construction site. At the sametime, drawings and specifications areprepared by civil, mechanical, elec-trical, and other engineers workingwith the architect.

After tenders are received, the archi-tect may help in the selection of ageneral contractor and the prepara-

yIr

WORKERS IN THE INDUSTRY

tion of contracts which outlineprices, methods of payment, timelimits, and other special conditions.

Once the contract has been placed,the contractor assumes respon-sibility for all activities on the con-struction site. The architect ensuresthat design specifications are beingfollowed, and co-ordinates the tech-nical team. A clerk-of-works mayrepresent the architect on the site ofalarge project.

The publication "Careers in Archi-tecture" describes the duties andresponsibilities of architects anddiscusses the preparation and train-ing required as well as the generalcareer outlook.

may)

Civil Engineers

Civil engineers design and maysupervise the construction of high-ways, dams, bridges, railroads, andsewers. Most work close to or in thelarger cities, but some enjoy the wideopen spaces working on dams andreservoirs. "Careers in Engineering"gives more information on thepreparation, training, and careeroutlook for civil engineers.

9

WORKERS IN THE INDUSTRY

Land Surveyors

Land surveyors determine propertyboundaries, and may be responsiblefor the location, conception orplanning of construction projects.

Two locations are involved in sur-veying. Work in the "field" may rangefrom surveying portions of the citycentre to work at an isolated site for apower dam. At headquarters, notesmade in the field are analyzed andconverted into plans, drawings,maps, and other data.

Field surveying is the work of a "fieldsurvey party" consisting of severalpersons under the direction of thesurveyor. The party consists ofpeople skilled in the use of transits,rods and chains and note keeping,and are assisted by axemen andlabourers who clear brush and stakeboundaries.

Certain surveying functions requiredon, the construction site can becarried out by resident engineers orother technical staff.

"Careers in Engineering" describesthe work of land surveyors, thepreparation and training required,and the outlook for this occupation.

10

The Technical Team

A number of engineering and ar-chitectural tasks are given to the"technical team." Junior architectsand engineers or specialists trainedin one area of construction make upthe technical team. These special-ists are dealt with briefly here sincethey are described in the chapters"Careers in Drafting" and "Careersin Engineering." On larger buildingand engineering projects, several orall of the following workers maybe found:

Quantity surveyors estimate costs ofsupplies, services, and labourand, on the basis of their work, con-tractors submit price quotations.In smaller companies this work maybe undertaken by estimators.

Architectural draftsmen/drafts-women prepare the first drawings ofthe proposed structure. They alsoincorporate design changes andprepare the line drawings to be usedon the construction site. This maybe a training position for juniorarchitects or may be done by thosetrained in drafting technology."Careers in Drafting" outlines theduties and responsibilities of drafts-men/draftswomen and describesthe preparation, training, and careersoutlook for this occupation.

Engineering draftsmen/draftswomenmake drawings of supporting frame-work for buildings, bridges, andsimilar engineering structures. Theymay be trainee engineers or havecommunity college training instructural drafting techniques.

Junior draftsmen/draftswomen helpprepare detailed drawings andtracings to be used on the actualconstruction site.

Mod& makers and artists make scalemodels of projects and illustrationsto help the client visualize the sug-gested design and for test purposes.

t

Clerks-of-works may be registeredarchitects. They are appointed tothe building site by the chief archi-tect to check the progress of thework.

ResidentAngineers are employed onthe constrattion,siteand serve as a .link between the engineers and thecontractor's superintendents.

On-site Construction Workers

Of the many on-site workers, a largenumber of those in engineeringconstruction are trained "on-the-job." They are hired as helpers orlabourers and are upgraded as theygain necessary skills through prac-tical experience. On the other hand,most workers in building constructionare trained through apprenticeshipa specific period of practicalexperience and classroom studylasting several years.

Most construction projects employapprentices to assist the qualifiedworkers, together with many helpersand labourers to handle materials anddo routine work.

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ON-SITE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

f."so',rag

Carpenters

Carpenters form the largest singlegroup of building tradesmen. Theirskills are needed at all stages ofconstruction, from the installation offorms supporting the concretefoundations to the last cupboarddoor.

Carpenters involved in the construc-tion of single homes may begeneralcarpenters with all-round Skills.They may be required to estimateamounts of materials and labour, toprepare sketches in line with localand other building regulations, andto lay out, cut, and install all wood-work from the rough framing to, thefinishing trim.

On large construction projects, morespecialization occurs. Frame car-penters or framers erect floor joists,wall studs, rafters, and similar sup-porting framework, and concreteformers construct and install thewooden supports for the concreteused in dams, tunnels, foundations,roof slabs, and exterior sheathing.Other carpentersunder the titles ofexterior cladders, interior trimmers,and stair buildersare responsiblefor exterior and interior trim, doors,wall panelling, door hanging, andstair building.

In addition to carpenters employedat the construction site, many work inplants manufacturing factory-builtunits ranging from doors and garagesto sections of houses. Here they arehelped by bench hands and opera-tors of jointers, planers, shapers,and other power-driven equipment.Carpenters also renovate, repair, andmaintain existing buildings.

Other related though separate craftsin woodworking include cabinet andfurniture makers who do intricatework, and patternmakers who areemployed in foundries and relatedindustries.

11


All carpenters must be skilled in theuse of hand and power-operatedtools and be able to read drawings.They must know the working proper-ties of composition board, plastics,asbestos, and metal, often used inplace of wood, and be able to installfactory-built units such as doors andwindows.

12

Bricklayers and Stonemasons

Bricklayers set out and lay bricks,structural tile, ceramic veneer, arti-ficial stone and blocks of concrete,glass, and other structural materialsfor a variety of building projects.These projects range from load-carrying exterior walls, internal par-titions, and similar structures above,below, or on the ground to ornamen-tal detail such as fireplaces.

Typical of the bricklayer's work is theconstruction of a new home. Thefirst step is to "set up" and indicateon the foundations where bricks orother building materials are to be laid.This is done by arranging lines of thincord from wooden frames previouslyset at the corners of the building.Bonding material or mortar is trow-elled onto a brick which is thenplaced exactly at the point where thelines cross. This is repeated at allcorners, and the positions of suchfeatures as door openings aremarked. "Setting up" calls for accu-

racy, the ability to read architecturaldrawings; skill in the use of plumbbobs, spirit levels, rules, and straightedges, and a knowledge of the prin-ciples of construction.

When the setting up has been com-pleted, a team of bricklayers andapprentices lay several courses ofbrick in triangular form at each cor-ner of the building. If necessary,bricks are cut with power-operatedsaws or, on smaller projects, withhammers, chisels, or a sharp blow ofthe trowel.

The bricklayers next stretch a line toact as a guide between the cornersand lay straight runs of bricks. This iscontinued, until the wall reaches therequired height. Finally, to improvethe appearance, the joints are press-ed with a steel roller or "pointed"(filled) using a small trowel.

The method just described is called

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"straight run" and is the simplest formof bricklaying. Some methods are notso simple. The steel framing of anengineering structure may be deco-rated with patterns of brick callingfdr skill in cutting and arranging.Bricks in varying shades may bearranged in pleasing patterns; thisrequires artistic talent and a goodeye for colour blending. Archways,decorative pillars, and other orna-mental work demand additional skillsfrom the bricklayer.

Bricklayers are employed in firmsspecializing in the repair, alteration,and renovation of existing buildings.This includes a full range of work,from repairing a cracked wall to add-ing a new room to the building. Sincethe bricklayer must repair the dam-age and discover the cause, suchwork requires a good knowledge ofthe principles of construction.

Bricklayers are also on the payroll ofi. i..... '-'"ft"...... ,t

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

other organizations such as hospi-tals, real estate companies, munici-pal authorities, and manufacturingcompanies, where they usually dorepair and maintenance work. Worksuch as lining furnaces in steel-making plants, building industrialchimneys, and lining mine tunnels isdone by bricklayers, who have re-quired special skills.

The work of the stonemason is similarto that of the bricklayer, and in someprovinces the two trades are com-bined. The stonemason works withstone slabs and blocks which requireconsiderable cutting to shape ateither the masonry yard or construc-tion site.

In the yard, sections of stone are cutinto blocks with power-driven sawsand may be further shaped withpower-driven lathes and shapers.Patterns may be cut in the stone withhand chisels or by machine. Hoisting

rorimAiAll Air:

holes are cut, and the blocks may bepolished with rotary grinders. Thiswork requires good control of thehands and a delicate touch. Carving,lettering, and work on monuments isdone by those trained as artistsrather than stonemasons.

The job of the mason at the con-struction site begins with placingblocks of stone in position usingcrowbars, pulley blocks, and otherhoisting tackle. The spirit level, rule,and straight edge are in constantuse, and the mason must exerciseconsiderable judgment. Although thestones are shaped in the masonryyard, they may require further dress-ing with chisels and heavy hammersbefore they fit exactly. Holes are cutto accommodate bolts and clipswhich hold the stones to steel frame-work.

Some work becomes available formasons in the restoration of historical

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13


structures. Decayed, orstone is cut away with chisels, anddrawings are made of old stones.Replacement blocks are made, andthen hoisted and fixed into place.

14

Structural Metal Workers

Much use is made of prefabricatedsteel parts, reinforcing iron rod, andmetal mesh in commercial, industrial,and large residential buildings, inbridges and tunnels, and in radio andmicrowave towers.

Assembly, erection, and installationof these metal components is doneby workers in distinct occupations,although some are skilled in severalor all of the following phases of struc-tural metal work.

Reinforcing iron workers are chieflyemployed in setting iron or steel barsto reinforce the concrete used inbeams, piers, walls, floors, and roofsof a building. The workers cut, bend,and install the bars according toengineering drawings or verbal in-structions and hold them in positionwith wire, metal clips, or by welding.Coarse metal mesh is used to rein-force roofs, floors, and in particular,the surfaces of highways. Reinforc-ing iron workers measure the sur-faces to be covered, cut and bendthe mesh, and secure it in positionwhere the concrete is to be poured.

Structural steel workers usually workin a team that includes riggers, craneor hoisting equipment operators, andpossibly riveters or welders.

From drawings, they determine thecorrect layout and arrange the steelparts of the building framework for

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erection. Equipment operators,riggers and helpers erect hoistingequipment and metal scaffolding,sometimes directed or assisted bystructural steel workers.

Girders, beams, or sections are madein metal-fabricating plants, andon site, are hoisted into position.Welding or riveting crews completethe final assembly.

Ornamental iron workers installgrilles, iron ladders, catwalks, fireescapes, stairways, and similar fix-tures and also do decorative metalwork for fences, balcony railings, andgates. They must be skilled in theuse of iron, aluminum, brass, andbronze. Ornamental or decorativemetal work is usually done in metalworking shops but may require cut-ting and assembly on the con-struction site before installation.The ornamental iron worker assem-bles, bolts, or welds the parts intocomplete units and sets them inposition with concrete.

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Roofers

Roofers apply shingles of composi-tion, asphalt, or asbestos to theroofs of buildings or coat them withtar, asphalt or other weatherproofingmaterials. Their work also includesWaterproofing and weatherproofingwalls, and other building surfaces.

The roofer's job is best explained byan example. In composition roofing,the worker first covers the surfacewith overlapping strips of asphalt ortarred paper. Where surfaces join,metal or asphalt strips known as"flashing" are nailed to make thejoints waterproof. Shingles are thenplaced in overlapping rows and arenailed in position. Finally, exposednailheads are weatherproofed withroofing cement.

Roofers may also use layers of roof-ing paper and hot tar, or they mayuse asphalt which is brushed on andfinished with small pebbles as aweatherproofing measure. Through-out this work, the roofer uses handtools such as the roofing hammer,knives, pincers, and caulking gun.

Metal roofs are the work of sheet-metal workers. They solder togetheror overlap sheets of metal such astin, copper, or galvanized iron, andnail them to the wooden sheathing ofthe building.

15


Electricians

In the construction industry, elec-tricians install electrical systems inbuildings and engineering projects,or extend and repair existing in-stallations. Electricians also work inseveral other areas than construc-tion. Industrial electricians, forinstance, service and repair elec-trically operated machinery andequipment used in industry.

The basic work of electricians in-cludes the layout, installation,maintenance, and testing of elec-trical circuits, fixtures apparatus, andcontrol equipment used in lighting,heating, and air-conditioningsystems. They use and maintain handand power tools, portable equipment,and testing and measuring instru-ments. A thorough knowledge of theCanadian Electrical Code is requiredsince it must be followed in certainregions and types of work. In addi-tion, they must know and complywith local, provincial, or municipal

regulations.

Duties of the construction electriciandepend on the type of building proj-ect but are usually in four mainsteps. First someone has to work outhow the job is to be done. This isknown as "layout." Then wiring,cables, and conduits are run be-tween the supply points and thepoints where the current is to beused. Next, concealed equipmentsuch as switch boxes are installedbefore the walls are plastered andthe floors laid. At a later stage, vari-ous fittings such as service panelsand lights are installed. Finally,everything must be tested to ensurethat it is correctly connected andsafely insulated.

Responsibility varies with the extentof the project. On larger projects,installations are made according todrawings prepared by electricaldraftsmen/draftswomen. On smaller

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jobs, the electrician is responsiblefor all work including planning andlayout.

Electricians require a keen sense ofresponsibility and a methodical ap-proach. They must be able to write anaccount of the work and to under-stand drawings.

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Plumbers and Pipe Fitters

In the construction industry, plumb-ers install piping systems and fixturesthat provide water or dispose ofwastes. In addition to new construc-tion work, plumbers repair, maintain,or remodel systems in existing build-ings.

Although both plumbing and pipe-fitting are part of the plumber's craft,particularly in the smaller centres,some workers specialize in eitherplumbing or pipefitting. Steam fittersinstall and service piping used tocarry steam in commercial and in-dustrial buildings. Gas fitters install,repair, and maintain gas burgingequipment and associated piping.Gas appliance installers and re-pairers are described in the publi-cation "Mechanical Repair Occu-pations." Pipefitters are employed onthe complex piping used in oil re-fineries and petro-chemical plants,and also work in shipbuilding yards,pulp and paper mills, and food pro-cessing plants. Sprinkler fitters installpipes to conduct liquids and gasesused in fire protection.

The work done to equip a new hometypifies the construction plumber'sjob. The plumbing contractor exam-ines the architectural drawings andarranges to use both standard-sizedand non-standard piping and sec-tions. The contractor also providessketches and other instructions tothe plumbers who are to do the job.

On the site, plumbers measure andmark the location of faucets, sinks,and holes through which pipes willpass. Then before the walls and floorare finished, they "rough in" all pip-ing which will later be covered. Fromthe basement, vertical pipes are in-stalled up through the floor into thekitchen and bathroom. The pipesmay have to be cut and connectionsmade to join the sections. Fromcouplings in the vertical pipes, othersections of pipe are laid between thefloor joints and wall studding, and


outlets are left for fixtures. Piping isthen laid for drainage and the dis-posal of waste.

Work does not end with the laying ofpipe. The plumber will install traps toprevent sewage gases from enteringa building, catch basins to trap kit-chen wastes, drain tiles to preventwater from seeping into the building,and lastly, venting pipes.

Carpenters and plasterers finish therooms, and the plumber then installssinks, toilets, faucets, and perhapsradiators. Finally the system is testedfor leaks. Since all plumbing workmust meet with municipal regula-tions, testing is done under thesupervision of a public health repre-sentative.

In repair work, the plumber fixesdefects in existing systems. This mayconsist of removing defective pipes,opening clogged drains, or replacing

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worn washers.

Pipefitting is similar to plumbing inthat the work is done according todrawings. Pipes are cut, bent, andthreaded, and the assembledsections are installed. Becausesteam and refritgeration'pipes areunder pressure, methods of makingpipe joints differ from those used inplumbing. Some are bolted together,while other joints are sealed orwelded.

Plumbers and pipefitters mustpossess a variety of skills. On theconstruction site they use hacksaws,reamers, and pipe cutters as well ashand-held hydraulic benders tomake parts. Pipe and section jointsare bolted, welded, soldered, orbrazed. Thus, knowledge of the useof wrenches, welding equipment, andblowtorches is required. In additionplumbers must be able to measureaccurately and read architectural

17


drawings.

Some tools are supplied by the em-ployer, but most workers purchasetheir own hand tools during theirapprenticeship.

18

Sheet-metal Workers

Sheet-metal workers on the con-struction site install ducts and otherparts used in ventilating, and air-conditioning systems. They alsoinstall metal roofing, wall sidings,drainage gutters, partitions, andother metal framework required inhomes, business, and industry.

Ducting is often ready-made when itis delivered to the construction site.However, it and other metal unitsoften have to be made or adjusted tofit available space and structuralconditions on the site. In the sheet-metal shop, the worker determinesthe size, thickness, and kind ofmaterial, such as galvanized sheet,to be used. The metal is cut withpower shears, shaped on presses,bending brakes, and other power-operated machinery, and holes arecut and drilled. It is then welded, andjoined into finished sections.

On the construction site, the sheet-metal worker operates out of a port-able workshop where the ready-made sections are cut to suit theinstallation. The sections of ductingare then fitted together and are puton brackets and hangers on thebuilding. The joints are bolted,welded or soldered, and coveredwith leak-proof materials.

In some cases a worker will bothmake the material and be responsiblefor its installation. However, theworker may specialize and becomea sheet-metal installer.

Many sheet-metal workers are em-ployed in industries which makeautomobiles, agricultural implements,boats, and aircraft. These workersare described in the publication"Mechanical Repair Occupations."

Insulators

The principal work of insulators is toapply non-conducting materials toceilings, walls, and floors, and also topiping, boilers, and other heatingequipment. The materials used in-clude cork, felt, asbestos, and fiberglass, and they serve the purpose ofpreventing or reducing the passageof heat, cold, or sound. On the job,insulators examine the plans andspecifications and decide on themost suitable material. Rock wool,spun glass and other material is thencut to the required size and shape,and fastened to the building frame-work. Other insulating substancesincluding blocks and slabs of foamedplastic or cork are secured in placewith an adhesive. Insulators mayalso spray or blow foam or other sub-stances between walls, floors, andceilings.

Insulators use various methods tocover pipes, ducts, boilers, andsimilar equipment. Block and pre-formed insulation may be wrappedaround pipes ensuring that joints andother connections are completelycovered. Insulating materials aresecured to surfaces with wire bandsor sheet metal and strapping. Jointsmay be coated with an asbestoscement and then wrapped with tapeto provide a tight seal. On some jobs,the workers spray or plaster thematerial to a wire netting placed overthe surface to be insulated.

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Glaziers

People who cut, fit, and install platemirrors and such items as leadedglass panels are glaziers (glassworkers). In making a simple window-glass installation, the glazier cutsthe glass to size or selects a precutpanel of glass. A bed of putty is thenput into the sash and the glasspressed into place. It is later securedby wire clips or metepoints andfinished by smoothing putty aroundthe outside edges.

These workers are sometimes re-, - ferred to as glaziers and metal me-

chanics. Since the increasing use ofglass in building construction hasenlarged the traditional scope ofthe work, glaziers generally install alltypes of interior and exterior struc-tural glass. During installation theyapply cement to the supportingbacking, and press the glass into it,or else set the glass by use of metalretaining mouldings. They also set awide variety of automatic doors andother ready-made glass units that areused in buildings.

Plasterers and Related Occupations

The covering of walls and other sur-faces with plaster and similar ma-terials may be the work of plasterersor, as is usual on larger projects,be divided among several trades.These include plasterers, lathers anddrywall installers, tapers andsanders.

Plasterers apply wet coats of ma-terials to the interior and exterior ofbuildings, to provide plain and orna-mental surfaces which are fireresistant and can later be paintedor decorated.

In the first stage of interior plastering,the lather prepares the walls andceiling. Brickwork and concrete areleft rough, but smooth surfaces,joists, and studding are covered withgypsum lathing or metal mesh toprovide support for the plaster.Finally, two or three successive coatsof plaster are mixed by helpers, andapplied to the walls.

19


After the lathing has been put inposition, the plasterer loads up a"hawk"a small board with a handleand applies small dabs or "dots"of plaster with a trowel to the topand bottom of the walls. The dots aremeasured until they are perfectlyupright and represent the finalthickness of the plaster to be applied.Between these dots, strips of plasteror "screeds" are laid with a troweland smoothed with a long, straightboard or "darby." The final coat is athin mixture of lime, plaster, andwater which may be smoothed ortextured in decorative patterns.

The introduction of new plasteringtechniques has created other meth-ods; for instance, lathing and severalcoats of plaster have been eliminatedby the use of "drywall" or plasterboard (a sandwich of plaster be-tween sheets of paper). This work isperformed by people known variouslyas drywall installers, tapers, andsanders. They nail sections of boardto wooden joists in the walls andceiling, and then cover the jointswith fabric tape and plaster and sandthem smooth.

For most walls and ceilings, plainplastering is all that is required. How-ever, plasterers may make and installornamental panels such as cornices.To make a decorative shape, theplasterer cuts thin sheets of metalwhich are mounted on woodenframes. On the walls and ceiling,the main location points for thevarious sections are marked andpieces of wood are nailed to act asguidelines. Plaster is then appliedand pressed into shape with moulds.

Often cornices or other shapes areready-made in the plastering shop.The precast shapes are nailed,screwed, or plastered to a woodenframework in the walls. To completethe work, plaster is added andsmoothed until the shapes blend inwith the contours of the walls.

20

Decorative panels and ornamentalmouldings are also made in the plas-tering shop, and this small branch ofthe craft may appeal to those withartistic talents. Plain and geometricalshapes are made in sections using"horsing" moulds or cast in sectionsin jelly moulds, and designs, suchas scrolls, are then added to theplainer sections. Complex decora-tions may be modelled first in clay byspecialist modellers. From this, theplasterer makes jelly moulds andcastings.

The exterior of buildings may becovered with stucco either by plas-terers or specialists known as stuccomasons or stucco plasterers. Theirwork is similar to that done inside thebuildings except that more cementis used for weatherproofing. Wiremesh normally provides the base onwhich several coats of plasteringmaterials are applied. The walls arethen smoothed or decorated with themason's own design or with smallstones. The stucco mason may alsohave to make cornices, and mouldledges, and other ornamental shapes.

Tile Setters and Terrazzo Workers

Exterior and interior walls of build-ings, floors, and other surfaces maybe covered with ceramic tiles andsimilar materials which are appliedby a tile setter.

Floors may also be covered withmarble chips set in cement by aspecialist known as a terrazzoworker. Workers in closely relatedoccupations include marble setterswho attach panels of marble to wallsor other surfaces, and cementfinishers who lay plain, ornamental,or speciality floors of cement.

In any tiling job, existing surfacesmust be checked with a spirit level,straight-edge, and rule, and any de-fects repaired with plaster and ce-ment. If both walls and floor are to betiled, the tile setter starts on the wallsby marking out a line known as the"datum line" from which all measure-ments will be taken. From the datumline, the position of the bottom row oftiles is marked on the wall and anyspecial arrangements laid out.

Clay tiles are soaked in water, drain-ed, and covered with adhesive. Start-ing with the bottom row, the tiles arepressed into position on the walls.Some tiles are cut to fit corners oraround pipes and this is done withchisels, hammers, and pincers. Jointsbetween the tiles are filled with ce-ment and the surfaces are cleaned.

The walls of buildings may be cover-ed with marble panels, structuralglass, or panels of terrazzo. This issimilar to tiling except that the panelsare of larger size and few changesare made since polishing and cuttingare completed before delivery to theconstruction site. The panels areattached with plaster and cementmixtures or secured with bolts.

In floor tiling, a strip of wood is fixedto the subfloor to mark the edge of

the first row of tiles and to indicatethe height of the finished floor. Thetiles are then pressed onto a mortarbed or adhesive is spread over thefloor.

Using similar techniques, floors arelaid in a mosaic which consists ofvery small tiles supplied in pre-arranged patterns and mounted onfabric mesh, or stiff sheets of paper.Tiles or terrazzo may also be sup-plied on a backing in pre-arrangedpatterns ready for laying.

In laying terrazzo, the subfloor isoften covered with floor paper; metalstrips indicate joints or a change ofcolour, and moulds indicate letteringor decorative patterns. Next a drylayer of concrete is spread over thepaper and is smoothed with a straightedge and trowel. The terrazzo workerthen applies a mixture of sand, ce-ment and marble particles followingthe pre-arranged colour patterns anddesigns. Before this mixture hardens,marble chippings are scattered overthe surface. Later, the surface isground and polished by machine.

The workers are assisted by appren-tices and helpers who keep themsupplied with materials, erect scaf-folding, clean the tiled surfaces, oroperate polishing machines.


Concrete and Cement Finishers

Extensive use is made of concretea mixture of cement, sand, and brok-en stone or "aggregate"for con-struction purposes. The job of theconcrete finisher is to smooth andweatherproof exposed concrete sur-faces of floors, curbs, sidewalks, andhighways. Cement finishers maycover or "finish" the concrete sur-faces with cement to repair defectsor to produce special shapes. Theseworkers are also known as cement-and-concrete masons or finishers.Others specialize, particularly inhighway projects, and are known as:curb builders, joint setters, concretepointers, and float finishers. In all butthe smallest projects, concrete isnow laid by machines and the sur-faces finished by tamping-machineoperators.or vibrator operators.

Cement finishers fill depressions andsmooth surfaces with a board orstraight-edge that extends acrossthe poured concrete. They use such

hand tools as trowels and woodenfloats to grade slopes, or to makespecial shapes around drains andmanholes.

An example of work done by hand isthe building of a driveway. First, aframe is made from straight lengthsof wood. Concrete is poured in theframe, and levelled by the concretefinisher who pulls a long piece ofwood or "screed" over the surface.Before the concrete is dry, the finish-er works the surface with trowels andother hand tools. Some concrete sur-faces are left rough and the finisherapplies coatings of cement, hotasphalt, or other weather-resistantmaterials. The coatings are thensmoothed or patterned to providenonslip surfaces.

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21


Floor Layers

The increasing use of carpeting andother floor coverings has created ademand for skilled floor layers. Theseworkers apply decorative and pro-tective coverings including carpet-ing, linoleum, vinyl, and asphalt tiles,to floors in industrial, commercial,and residential buildings.

Regardless of the material usedmuch of the work is the same. Thesurface is carefully measured andplanned to minimize waste, before itis cleaned, dried, and checked forirregularities. The floor covering isthen cut, matched, and fitted withspecial attention to door openingsand fixtures such as pipes.

The carpet layer may fasten a stripwith adhesive or nails along the bor-der of the installation. The carpetmaterial is then secured to this strip.With some types of floor covering, itmay be necessary to resurface thearea. Next a suitable adhesive is

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Painters and Decorators

The job of the painter and decoratoris to apply paint, other liquid coat-ings, and paper or fabric to the in-terior or exterior surfaces of buildingsand other structures. Before workbegins, the painter may have to esti-mate the materials, time, and costs,and supply this estimate to the cus-tomer. In larger businesses, this workmay be done by other staff members.

In any painting and decorating job,existing surfaces must first be pre-pared and scaffolding may be erect-ed. Rough areas are smoothed bysanding; nail holes, cracks and jointsare filled with plaster or other mate-rials, and rotted timbers may have tobe replaced. Finally, the areas arebrushed or washed clean. In main-tenance work, old paint is removedeither with a blowtorch or paint-stripping liquids. Wallpaper is re-moved by steaming.

Scaffolding is built according to the

height of the surface to be deco-rated. Use of this equipment is rigidlycontrolled by municipal and pro-vincial safety codes, and the paintermust know the types of scaffoldingspecified for a particular situation,and the related safety features.

After the surfaces have been primed,materials such as paint, enamel, orvarnishes are applied with a brush,paint roller, or spray gun. Part ofthe painter's skill lies in the knowl-edge of the different materials andtechniques to be used on varioussurfaces.

Skill is needed to produce attractiveand suitable colour schemes, andpaints may have to be speciallymixed for a particular job. A paintermust know their suitability, dryingand handling qualities, and must beable to match or adapt colours. Inaddition, some painters are requiredto make lettering and designs eitherby stencil or freehand.

Painters may specialize in one tech-nique such as spray painting or inone type of work such as paintingstructural steel work. Others dorenovation work only. In many homesand businesses, increasing use isbeing made of wallpaper, woodpanels, and other materials such asplastics. This provides work for theall-round painter and decorator.

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In wallpapering, existing paint orpaper is removed and the walls are"sized" with a preparation that pre-vents absorption of the wallpaperadhesive. Wallpaper is supplied inrolls that are cut to the requiredlength. The decorator may mix andapply adhesive evenly over the backof the paper or the paper may beprepasted. The paper is folded intoconvenient lengths, and the deco-rator smoothes the paper into placewith a brush. Finally the top andbottom edges are cut, and the over-lapping edges are smoothed witha small roller.

Construction Labourers

On all construction projects there isa large requirement for labourers.Many workers assist in preparing thesite and work with' the machineoperators for brush clearing, ditchdigging and other manual tasks.They also carry materials to theskilled workers such as the car-penters and bricklayers. Manylabourers progress by working ashelpers and learn the trades over aperiod of time.

23

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Construction Machinery Operators(Heavy-equipment Operators)

A wide range of heavy power-drivenequipment is used on all constructionsites in such work as excavating,hoisting, and site grading. Thisequipment is operated and servicedby workers who are usually identifiedby the type of equipment they use,for example: tower-crane operator,power-shovel operator, driller, piledriver, bulldozer operator, concretemixer, hoisting engineer, craneoperator.

The main job of these people is tooperate control devices. Thesedevices range from the few neededto operate a bulldozer to the manylevers and other controls used by acrane operator to raise or lowerthe crane boom. Each piece of equip-ment requires different operatingtechniques, and the worker shouldbe able to operate several of themachines used on the constructionsite. In addition, the workers lubricatethe machines, make minor repairs,and may replace certain parts.Major repairs and overhaul are, how-ever, usually done by heavy-dutyequipment mechanics or repairworkers whose duties, training, andoccupational outlook are describedin the publication "MechanicalRepair Occupations."

24

Preparation and Training

While still in school it is possible toprepare for entry into the construc-tion field through shop courses whichteach manual skills. These coursesoffer a chance for the students to dis-cover the type of work which appealsto them most, and whether they wantto spend three or four years learninga craft.

For those who have left school,courses are available in provincialtrade and vocational schools,CEGEPS, Institutes of Technology,or community colleges. These maybe related to certain occupationssuch as carpentry, or may give abackground for a number of occu-pations. These can be taken day orevening and run from six to tenmonths.

Apprenticeship Training

Most skilled workers in the buildingtrades serve an apprenticeship. Asapprentices, they learn the practicalside of the job directed by a quali-fied worker. They must also attend atrade school to learn the theory andpractice of their craft. Most appren-ticeship programs run three to fouryears, and the applicant must be 16years of age and have at least aGrade 9 education.

Apprentices work and are paid whilethey learn. They enter into a writtenagreement with an employer whichoutlines length of apprenticeship,amount of in-school training, payscales (these vary according to occu-pation and location), and workingconditions. A three- to six-monthprobationary period (on the job) iscommon before the agreement isactually signed. All agreementsallow for the cancellation if the ar-rangement becomes unsatisfactory.

On completion of apprenticeship insome occupations, trade tests aregiven and certificates awarded tosuccessful candidates. Some pro-vinces demand such a certificatebefore a person may be allowed towork in a trade. Interprovincial stand-ards for the examination of graduat-ing apprentices have been estab-lished in a number of occupations,and those attaining those standardsare able, in most provinces, to prac-tise their trade without further testing.

PREPARATION AND TRAINING

Working Conditions

In the pages which you have read,mention has been made of workingconditions. These are importantwhen considering a future careerbecause they play a large part in the"lifestyle" you may wish to have.

The lifestyle of persons in construc-tion is quite different from, say, per-sons in retail stores. You must bewilling to go wherever the buildingsite is, work long hours and in allweathers, and you need to behealthy.

Working conditions will of course bedifferent with different jobs and willdepend on the construction specialtyof your employer. In general, how-ever, workers on construction sitesdo not have a permanent workplace.When the building is finished, theyhave to-move on to the next, some-times lust across town but possiblymany miles away. This means livingaway from home, perhaps in a trailercamp or rented rooms, for months ata time.

You will be faced with being hotterin summer and colder in winter than,say, a worker in a manufacturingplant even though employers oftencover partly finished buildings withplastic sheeting and provide spaceheaters.

Working hours are affected not onlyby weather but also by "completiondates." A new school must be readythe first day after the summer holidaysare over. A clover leaf crossing mustbe quickly completed to reduceroad problems and traffic disruption.What does this mean? You will oftenwork overtime (at one and a half ortwice the usual pay) during thesummer to take advantage of thelonger hours, to make up perhaps fornon-delivery of materials, and tomeet the completion dates.

Among other considerations arephysical requirements. You haveseen cranes and hoists on buildingsites, but the workers still have tohandle materials. In the average day,a bricklayer handles many hundredsof bricks, each weighing about sevenpounds. The plasterer must reachoverhead to cover a ceiling, and thesteel erector pulls and pushes heavypieces of metal, probabiy workingseveral hundred feet above ground.

None of this means that you have tobe the local weightlifting champion.The workers develop skillsa kindof rhythmwhich makes such thingsas lifting, bending, stooping, andkneeling much easier to them than tonon-construction workers.

There is also the question of payscales. To give you an amount indollars and cents would not meantoo much. For one thing, pay rateschange quickly, and there aredifferent rates in different regions.

Your local Manpower centre hasup-to-date figures if you need them.To give you some general ideas,however, here are some comparisons.These are averages; you may beearning more if you work overtime,and less if you take time off.*

Industry Yearly Weekly

Construction 12,532 241.00Transportation 10,244 197.00Manufacturing 9,360 182.00All workers

in Canada 8,963 172.00

What are the attractions of the con-struction industry?These can best bedescribed by the industry itself:

A construction career is:

construction pays the highest

'Employment Earnings and Hours by Industry, May 1974 (Statistics Canada).

25


wages and salaries in Canada;

in 30 years Canada will need an-other building, road and bridge forevery one in existence now and thismeans that your skills will be inincreasing demand;

construction is Canada's largestindustry which means there areplenty of opportunities for you.

26

Advancement

Most craftsmen in the constructionindustry who are able to handle theirfellow workers may advance tosupervisory positions. Some workersundertake subcontract labour in theirown specialty as a stepping stone todeveloping their own businesses.And a few work as estimators withprivate contractors or are hired asinspectors by various levels ofgoVernment.

Employment Outlook

A career in one of the constructiontrades offers favourable opportuni-ties to those who are willing to spendseveral years in learning a skilledoccupation. Subject to local or peri-odic changes, one worker in 15 isinvolved in this type of work. Jobopportunities occur in all parts of thecountry, in small communities as wellas large cities. In 1971, there weremore than 400,000 skilled craft work-ers employed in the constructiontrades as well as 80,000 constructionlabourers and helpers. In October1974, the number of workers had in-creased to 692,000.

The construction trades variedgreatly in size, from approximately100,000 workers in carpentry (72 percent being in the construction indus-try)compared with a total of some6,000 concrete and cement finishers.Some construction workers becomesupervisors for contractors in engi-neering construction or in buildingconstruction; others supervise main-tenance activities in industrial orinstitutional organizations. As indi-cated on the chart, there were ap-proximately 76,000 supervisory work-ers in the construction trades in 1971.In addition, nearly 10,000 owners andmanagers of construction activitieshad started their own business.

Continued technological develop-ments in construction methods, tools,and materials will result in savings inmaterial costs and raise the hourlyoutput of each construction worker.The introduction of the tower cranesfor high-rise building construction,for example, greatly simplifies thepouring of concrete and handling ofmaterials. New products such asplastic piping costs less to buy andreduces the time needed by theplumber for installation. In other in-stances, technological changeshave altered the nature of much ofthe work, as well as the working con-ditions involved. Factory prefabri-cation now ranges from the construc-

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METAL

WORKERS

20000

N

an

ROOFERS

6,000

CEMENT

AND

CONCRETE

FINISHERS

AND

RELATED

6000

STRUCTURAL

METAL

WORKERS

6000

INSULATORS

\4000

00

GLAZIERS

3000

00

LABOURERS

ICONSTRUCTION)

81000

0

CONSTRUCTION

SUPERVISORS

76000

\.)t

OWNERS

AND

MANAGERS

4400.0

\\IkV,0SNOS\

INCONSTRUCTION

10000

tS,

MIA

O

0


tion of complete buildings, or majorsections of buildings, to door units.This trend toward ready-made build-ing units has the tendency to shiftsome trade skills into a shop orfactory.

Present information shows that dur-ing the past several years there havebeen many job-vacancies in con-struction compared to other occu-pations in the work force. There havebeen actual shortages for workers insome trades, although these wereoften local and temporary in nature.Preliminary forecasts show that em-ployment in the construction field isexpected to grow at a rate near thenational average for all occupationsto 1980. However, if many energy-related construction projects nowanticipated are undertaken, the out-look for construction trades couldimprove to a growth rate higher thanaverage for the last half of the 1970's.

28

ill

SEEKING EMPLOYMENT

Before seeking employment, studentsshould discuss their future plans withschool guidance counsellors. Theycan supply much more detailed infor-mation than can be included in thischapter, especially on such subjectsas the educational and related ad-mission requirements to enter anapprenticeship program. They willalso supply details of trade and voca-tional schools or other pre-employ-ment training courses which may beavailable in a particular area. This isa continuing service, and usefulinformation can be obtained from theschool guidance counsellors,Canada Manpower counsellors, orplacement officers, who are locatedin post-secondary school institutions.

Young people seeking their first jobsor older workers wishing to changeoccupations can register with thelocal Canada Manpower Centre.Here they will be given assistance infinding suitable employment or willbe directed to apprenticeships, orother training program. In addition tocontacting the Canada ManpowerCentre, applicants wishing to obtaina construction apprenticeship canpursue one of the following methods:consult the provincial Director ofApprenticeship; locate contractorswho are willing to hire them as ap-prentices; contact a local union andrequest to have their names placedon the apprentice's training list; pre-sent their names to a Joint Appren-ticeship Committee which indenturesapprentices and is responsible fortheir employment and training; orcheck want ads in daily and weeklynewspapers. Job seekers can alsoapply directly to likely employerswithout reference to a particularvacancy, and employment leads canbe obtained from friends and rela-tions already working in the industry.

29

RELATED PUBLICATIONS

More detailed information about theoccupations discussed in thischapter is available at your localCMC. A companion series entitledCareers Provinces will be availableand gives the current occupationalinformation in detail. This is preparedfor each province and occupation.The standard reference publication,Canadian Classification andDictionary of Occupations, Volume1*, provide a systematic structure forover 6,700 occupations found inCanada. The occupations mentionedin CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTIONare listed below.

ArchitectCivil EngineerSoil EngineerLand SurveyorEstimatorConstruction SuperintendentClerk-of-WorksConstruction EngineerBulldozer OperatorCrane OperatorShovel OperatorPower Shovel OperatorBlade-Grader OperatorHeavy-Equipment OperatorPneumatic Drill OperatorDrillerHoist Operator(Shotfirer) BlasterMinerPump OperatorStationery EngineerAft Compressor OperatorDiverConcrete WorkerAsphalt LayerAsphalt RakerAsphalt TamperConcrete-Paving-Machine OperatorAsphalt-Paving-Machine OperatorPile-DriverForm SetterReinforcing Iron WorkerConcrete Batcher & MixerConcrete Mixer

Concrete-Gun OperatorVibrator OperatorConcrete FinisherCranemanStructural-Steel WorkerWelderRiveterCarpenterBricklayer and StonemasonSheet-Metal WorkerPlastererCaulkerGlazier and Metal MechanicRooferElectricianPlumberAir Conditioning and Refrigeration

MechanicPipe FitterFurnace InstallerInsulatorLatherTile SetterFloor LayerGlazierPainterOrnamental Iron. WorkerInstrument ManNotekeeperRodmanSurveyor HelperQuantity SurveyorArchitectural DraftsmanPatternmakerCabinet MakerRiggerSteam FitterGas FitterSprinkler FitterStucco MasonStucco PlastererTerrazzo WorkerMarble SetterCement FinisherCurb BuilderJoint SetterFloat FinisherTamping Machine OperatorVibrator Operator

'Available from Information Canada bookstores; Cat. No: MP 53-171/1

30

Other information may be obtainedfrom the occupational analysisseries. The following are some ofthe titles:

CarpenterBricklayerPlumberSheet-metal workerElectrician

These publications are availableat local C.M.C.