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.
Job Related Skills, Interests and Values
- Preparing the worksite for installation, including loading and unloading pieces
- Safely using riggings and scaffoldings, where necessary
- Guiding the crane operator using hand signals
- Reading and interpreting architectural drawings, blueprints, and diagrams
- Using hand and power tools and machines, such as pneumatics wrenches
- Aligning, bolting, welding, or using other mounting devices to join panels together
- Applying grout, preparing surfaces, and finishing grouted areas; applying caulking and primers
- Observing safety in accordance with government and company standards
What Preparation and Training Do You Need?
- Grade 10 is the legal minimum, though a high school diploma is generally required
- While not mandatory, completion of a 5,400-hour apprenticeship including on-the-job and in-school training, is recommended
What's Your Future as a Precast Concrete Erector (244K)?
- 35-40 hours/week; may work project-by-project or be employed by construction firm
- Exposed to variety of weather conditions and high noise levels; often required to bend and to lift and carry heavy objects
- Risks include working with corrosive chemicals and dangerous equipment
- Employers include precast concrete manufacturers, construction companies, and bricklaying and painting contractors
Wage Rate
Apprentice wage increases with skill and experience. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $40.00-$46.00 per hour.
Self-Rating
Precast Concrete Erector (244K)
| Ask Yourself: | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Do you have good hand-eye coordination? | ||
| Are you able to work indoors and outdoors? Are you comfortable working at all heights? | ||
| Do you enjoy working with different hand tools? | ||
| Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines? | ||
| Do you pay attention to detail? Do you have artistic abilities? | ||
| Are you good at judging distances and weight? | ||
| Are you reliable, a self-starter and able to work with minimal supervision? Are you interested in travelling for work? |
If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Precast Concrete Erector (244K) may be for you!
You might want to look at these similar trades as well;
- Cement (Concrete) Finisher
- Cement Mason
- Bricklayer
- Stone Cutter
- Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Mason
- Reinforcing Rodworker
- Welder
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.
Pressure systems welders use shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding and flux cored arc welding processes to weld metal plates, tubes, and other structures in boilers and other pressure systems. They cut pipes and tanks and assemble these pieces, and may have to repair defective welds in boilers and pressure systems.
Cement Masons direct the pouring of concrete and smooth and finish freshly poured concrete.
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.
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.