Cement Masons direct the pouring of concrete and smooth and finish freshly poured concrete.
Job Related Skills, Interests and Values
- Learning about and applying safety legislation such as the Occupational Health & Safety Act, Environmental Protection Act, and Construction Safety Act
- Checking formwork, granulate base, and steel reinforcement and directing placement of concrete
- Operating hand and power tools to compact and level concrete and to create the desired finish
- Installing fixtures including anchor bolts, steel plates, and door sills
- Repairing/replacing worn/damaged sections of concrete and applying curing/surface treatments
- Keeping pace with work scheduling requirements and completing work documentation (time sheets, work orders) in a clear accurate way to company standards
- Communicating effectively with customers, co-workers, supervisors, and sub-trades personnel
What Preparation and Training Do You Need?
- Grade 8 is the legal minimum, but grade 12 is usually required by employers/unions
- Voluntary trade; apprenticeship is not mandatory but is recommended
- Completion of 6,000-hour apprenticeship includes on-the-job and in-school training
What's Your Future as a Cement Mason (419A)?
- May work project-by-project or be employed by construction company
- Generally 35-40 hours/week in shifts; must be prepared to travel to where work is available
- May work in or outdoors in various conditions
- Required to bend and lift/carry heavy objects
- Field expected to continue to grow due to construction trends
Wage Rate
Apprentice wage increases with skill and experience. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $31.80-$40.41 per hour.
Self-Rating
Cement Mason (419A)
| Ask Yourself: | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Do you have good hand-eye coordination? Do you have any artistic ability and enjoy working with your hands and mind? | ||
| Are you able to work indoors and outdoors? Are you comfortable working at all heights? | ||
| Are you able to read blueprints and measurements accurately? Have basic math skills. | ||
| Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines? | ||
| Are you able to lift more than 50lbs? Are you able to stand or sit for long periods of time? | ||
| Are you detail oriented and good with colours? Do you have the ability to work closely with others? | ||
| Are you reliable, a self-starter and able to work with minimal supervision? Can you start and finish work on time? |
If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Cement Mason (419A) may be for you!
You might want to look at these similar trades as well;
- Cement (Concrete) Finisher
- Construction Craftworker
- Bricklayer
- Stone Cutter
- Marble Mason
Concrete is moulded to create many different shapes and forms, including slabs or panels, called precast concrete pieces, for building walls or floors. Often a Hoisting Engineer/Crane Operator will lower pieces into place, and the role of the Precast Concrete Erector is to guide this tradesperson, using hand signals, to align the panels and slabs into place.
Brick & Stone Masons prepare and lay bricks, concrete blocks, stone, and other masonry units to construct/repair structures like walls, patios, arches, fireplaces, and chimneys. They may also lay materials used in the construction of industrial furnaces, retorts, and boilers.
Construction Craft Workers prepare, excavate, backfill, compact, and clean up work sites. They also handle materials, as well as ship and receive parts.
Reinforcing Rodworkers reinforce concrete. To do this, they fabricate, handle, sort, cut, bend, rig, place, burn, weld and tie all materials used to reinforce the concrete, including steel. They then install the steel and accessories in the building of all types of concrete structures including bridges, reservoirs, buildings, sewers and highways.
Terrazzo, Tile & Marble Setters cover interior and exterior walls, floors, and ceilings with decorative and/or protective terrazzo, tile, or marble finishes. The job is varied – a setter could line a swimming pool with mosaic floors one day and tile a kitchen backsplash the next.
A Cement (Concrete) Finisher finishes exposed surfaces of poured concrete floors, sidewalks, curbs, and many other structures. They also smooth and finish freshly poured concrete; apply curing or surface treatments; and restore, repair, or replace hardened concrete structures.