What does a Construction Craft Worker Do?

Construction Craft Workers prepare, excavate, backfill, compact and clean up a work site. They also handle materials as well as ship and receive parts. Construction Craft Workers primarily work in the construction industry, governed by the Apprenticeship Certification Act (ACA).

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

• training in health and safety
• mechanical aptitude
• manual dexterity
• an ability to work at heights
• an ability to do hard physical work
• blueprint reading 
• organizational skills
• an ability to follow instructions
• must be willing to work as part of a team on physically and mentally challenging projects

What Preparation and Training do You Need ?

To become a Construction Craft Worker, you should preferably have a secondary school diploma before entering an apprenticeship of one to two years, though the minimum requirement for entry under the ACA is Grade 10.

To view the Essential Skills necessary for this and other skilled trades, visit the Essential Skills Homepage:

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/essential_skills/general/home.shtml

What’s Your Future as a Construction Craft Worker?

Most workers in this trade work full-time, sometimes in shift work, sometimes outdoors although working conditions tend to vary from job to job. Some travel to different job sites may be necessary. The trade is best suited for people who are physically fit. Industries in Southern Ontario that employ Construction Craft Workers include:

• Residential Building Developers
• Commercial Building Developers
• Building Construction Firms
• Mechanical Construction Firms

The Construction Craft Worker apprenticeship is an excellent introductory program for people considering jobs in the construction sector. Construction Craft Workers can go on to specialize in other skilled trades such as carpentry, bricklaying, etc. For additional information about this career, check out the construction sector website at: www.CareersInConstruction.ca.

Wage Rate

• As an apprentice, you would start at a wage rate about half that of a journeyperson
• Wages generally increase as you gain more competency  
• Fully qualified Construction Craft Workers can earn anywhere from $19.00/hr to $30.00 per hour, with benefits and opportunities for overtime as well

Self-Rating

Ask Yourself: Is becoming a Construction Craft Worker For You ?

Can you stand for long periods of time, carry and lift heavy material?	Yes      No
Can you look at  plans or blueprints and visualize how things come together?	Yes      No
Do you enjoy working with machinery and different kinds of tools?	Yes      No
Do you like to solve problems and suggest ways of fixing them?	Yes      No
Are you good at working independently or as part of a team to accomplish a task?	Yes      No
Would you enjoy being physically active in an occasionally outdoor environment?	Yes      No

If you answered Yes to most of these questions, working as a Construction Craft Worker may be ideal for you !

You may also want to explore other careers that require similar interests and skills:

• Carpenter
• Bricklayer
• Plumber
• Industrial Woodworker