Education · 1 of 4
The path
A short apprenticeship, mostly learned on pour days.
- 1
High school diploma
Grade 12
Grade 12 with math and shop. Some employers will take you without it.
- 2
Find a sponsor
Weeks
A concrete contractor, a forming company or the union hall. Labouring on a crew for a season is the normal way in.
- 3
Register the apprenticeship
Days
With Skilled Trades Ontario (where the trade is called Cement (Concrete) Finisher), Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, or your province's trades body.
- 4
Work and study
2 to 3 years
About 5,000 hours in Ontario: 4,500 on the job plus 480 hours in class, usually two levels of about 8 weeks. Other provinces set their own hours.
- 5
Certificate of Qualification and Red Seal
After your hours
Pass the provincial exam. The Red Seal endorsement lets you work in any province.