National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.1

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7 - Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

These occupations include trades supervisors and contractors, construction and mechanical tradespersons, operators of transportation and heavy equipment and trades helpers. These occupations are found in a wide range of industrial sectors, with many in the construction and transportation industries.

This category includes most of the apprenticeable trades, including all those related to the construction industry. Other occupations in this category usually require completion of college or vocational education programs combined with on-the-job training. Helpers obtain training on the job site. Progression to supervisory positions or self-employed contractor status is possible with experience. There is limited mobility or transferability of skills among occupations in this category due to specific apprenticeship, training and licensing requirements for most occupations.

72 - Industrial, electrical and construction trades

This major group comprises occupations in industrial, electrical and construction trades, which usually require three or more years of apprenticeship, or several years of work experience in the trade combined with related high school, college or industry courses. It includes occupations in machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades; electrical trades and electrical power line and telecommunications workers; plumbers, pipefitters and gas fitters; carpenters and cabinetmakers; masonry and plastering trades; and other construction trades, as well as related supervisors and contractors.

729 - Other construction trades

This minor group includes roofers, shinglers, glaziers, insulators, painters and decorators (except interior decorators) and floor covering installers. They are employed by construction companies; roofing and general contractors; construction glass installation contractors and glass fabrication, retail service and repair shops; insulation and floor covering contractors and carpet outlets; and painting and building maintenance contractors; or they may be self-employed.

7291 - Roofers and shinglers

Roofers install, repair or replace flat roofs as well as shingles, shakes or other roofing tiles on sloped roofs. Shinglers install and replace shingles, tiles and similar coverings on sloped roofs. They are employed by roofing and general contractors, or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • apprentice roofer
    • asphalt roofer
    • built-up roofer
    • flat roofer
    • residential steep roofer
    • roofer
    • shingler
    • single-ply roofer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Supervisors of roofers and shinglers (See 7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers)
  • Main duties

    Roofers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Install, repair or replace built-up roofing systems using materials such as asphalt saturated felts and hot asphalt and gravel
    • Install, repair or replace single-ply roofing system using waterproof sheet materials such as modified plastics, elastomeric or other asphaltic compositions
    • Install, repair or replace shingles, shakes and other roofing tiles on sloped roofs of buildings
    • Install sheet metal flashings
    • Apply waterproof coatings to concrete or other masonry surfaces below or above ground level
    • Install and repair metal roofs using hand and power tools
    • Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs
    • May estimate materials required and quote costs.

    Shinglers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Install or replace asphalt shingles, wood shingles and shakes and masonry or baked clay roofing tiles on sloped roofs of buildings
    • Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • For roofers, completion of a two- to three-year apprenticeship program
      or
      Over three years of work experience in the trade are usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
    • Roofing trade certification is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
    • Trade certification for residential steep roofers is available, but voluntary, in British Columbia.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified roofers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
    • Shinglers require one to two years of on-the-job training.
  • Additional information

    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
7292 - Glaziers

Glaziers cut, fit, install and replace glass in residential, commercial and industrial buildings, on exterior walls of buildings and other structures and in furniture and other products. They are employed by construction glass installation contractors, retail service and repair shops and glass fabrication shops, or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • glazier
    • glazier and metal mechanic
    • glazier apprentice
    • plate glass installer
    • stained glass glazier
    • structural glass glazier

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters (See 9413 Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters)
    • Supervisors of glaziers (See 7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers)
  • Main duties

    Glaziers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Read and interpret blueprints and specifications to determine type and thickness of glass, frame, installation procedure and materials required
    • Measure and mark glass and cut glass using glass cutters or computerized cutter
    • Tint glass and create patterns on glass by etching, sandblasting or painting designs
    • Assemble, erect and dismantle scaffolds, rigging and hoisting equipment
    • Position glass panes into frames and secure glass using clips, points or mouldings
    • Assemble and install prefabricated glass, mirrors or glass products on walls, ceilings or exteriors of building
    • Fabricate metal frames for glass installation
    • Install, fit, fabricate and attach architectural metals or related substitute products in commercial and residential buildings
    • Install pre-cut mirrors and opaque and transparent glass panels in frames to form exterior walls of buildings
    • Replace glass in furniture and other products
    • Prepare and install skylights, showcases and aquariums and stained or other special glass in churches, museums, sports and other establishments
    • Repair and service residential windows, commercial aluminum doors and other glass supporting structures, and replace damaged glass or faulty sealant
    • May prepare cost estimates for customers or clients.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship program
      or
      A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in glazing is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
    • Trade certification for glaziers is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified glaziers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • Additional information

    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
7293 - Insulators

Insulators apply insulation materials to plumbing, air-handling, heating, cooling and refrigeration systems, piping equipment and pressure vessels, and walls, floors and ceilings of buildings and other structures, to prevent or reduce the passage of heat, cold, sound or fire. They are employed by construction companies and insulation contractors, or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • boiler and pipe insulator
    • building insulator
    • firestopping insulator
    • heat and frost insulator
    • insulation applicator
    • insulation mechanic
    • insulator
    • insulator apprentice
    • sound insulator

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Supervisors of insulators (See 7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers)
  • Main duties

    Insulators perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Read and interpret drawings and specifications to determine insulation requirements and select type of insulation required
    • Measure and cut insulating material to required dimensions using hand and power tools
    • Apply and secure insulation using spraying, blowing, pasting, strapping, taping and other application and installation methods
    • Fit insulation around obstructions and between studs and joists
    • Install vapour barriers
    • Apply waterproofing cement over insulating materials to finish surfaces
    • Remove asbestos or urea-formaldehyde insulation from buildings when required.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program
      or
      A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in insulating is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
    • Trade certification for insulators (heat and frost) is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified insulators (heat and frost) upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • Additional information

    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
7294 - Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)

Painters and decorators apply paint, wallpaper and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures. They are employed by construction companies, painting contractors and building maintenance contractors, or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • construction painter
    • maintenance painter
    • painter
    • painter and decorator
    • painter and decorator apprentice
    • paperhanger

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Automotive painters (See 7322 Motor vehicle body repairers)
    • Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators (See 9536 Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators)
    • Interior decorators (See 5242 Interior designers and interior decorators)
    • Painters, sculptors and other visual artists (See 5136 Painters, sculptors and other visual artists)
    • Supervisors of painters and decorators (See 7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers)
  • Main duties

    Painters and decorators perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Read specifications to determine quantities of materials required
    • Prepare and clean surfaces using methods such as scraping, sanding, sandblasting, hydro-blasting and steam-cleaning; remove old wallpaper and loose paint; repair cracks and holes in walls; and sandpaper and apply sealer
    • Mix and thin paint to obtain desired colour and texture
    • Apply paint or other materials, such as stains, lacquer, enamel, oil, varnish, fibreglass, metal coating or fire retardant using brushes, rollers or spray equipment
    • Measure, cut and apply wallpaper or fabric to walls
    • Assemble and erect scaffolding and swing stages
    • May advise customer on selection of colour schemes and choice of wall coverings
    • May provide cost estimates to clients.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program
      or
      Over three years of work experience in the trade is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
    • Trade certification for painters and decorators is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified painters and decorators upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • Additional information

    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
7295 - Floor covering installers

Floor covering installers install carpet, wood, linoleum, vinyl and other resilient floor coverings in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. They are employed by construction companies, floor-covering contractors and carpet outlets, or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • carpet layer
    • floor covering installer apprentice
    • floor covering mechanic
    • hardwood floor layer
    • residential floor and wall covering installer
    • resilient floor installer
    • vinyl floor installer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Supervisors of floor covering installers (See 7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers)
  • Main duties

    Floor covering installers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Inspect, measure and mark surfaces to be covered
    • Measure, cut and fasten underlay and underpadding
    • Measure, cut and install carpeting using hand or machine stitcher, seaming iron, bonding tape or other bonding materials
    • Stretch carpeting using knee-kicker or power stretcher and secure carpeting to floor or other surfaces using staple gun or other devices
    • Measure, cut and install resilient floor covering using adhesive, rollers and other hand tools
    • Install hardwood floors, such as strip floors, block floors or plank floors, using glue, staples, nails or other means
    • Inspect and repair damaged floor coverings
    • May estimate material and labour costs.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a two- to three-year apprenticeship program
      or
      Over four years of work experience in the trade and some courses in floor covering installation are usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
    • Trade certification for floor covering installers is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified floor covering installers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • Additional information

    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
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