In this occupation activities may include:

• Examining structures and equipment for deterioration, defects and non-compliance with specifications
• Hoisting steel beams, girders and columns into place using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members
• Cutting, bending and welding steel pieces using metal shears, torches and welding equipment
• Erecting metal and precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences and highway guard rails

Education

• A high school diploma (or equivalent) is required.

Certifications

• Standard and emergency first aid
• Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Fall protection
• Aerial lift training
• Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)

Licensing

• Completion of a two- to three-year apprenticeship program is required to become a certified tradesperson. Another route into apprenticeship training is a pre-apprenticeship foundation program. In some provinces, both of these routes can begin in high school
• The Red Seal endorsement is the interprovincial standard of excellence, and is available to tradespersons upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination

• Minimal or no travel
• Shiftwork/variable work hours
• Primarily outdoor work
• Work not physically demanding
• Safety-sensitive environment
• Work away from home/in camps

Physically, you bring muscle, agility, balance and good eyesight. Mentally, your sense of judgment is ironclad as you encounter numerous scenarios with potential safety implications. You can think through everything, from day-to-day project planning to inspections to problem solving. Numeracy is key as you measure dimensions and angles of various components, calculate distances and estimate quantities of supplies required for projects.

• Building and construction
• Public safety and security
• Selecting equipment
• Attention to detail
• Stress tolerance
• Mechanical
• Active listening
• Installing equipment
• Judgment and decision making
• Planning and organizing