National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.1
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.
76 - Trades helpers, construction labourers and related occupations
This major group comprises trades helpers, construction labourers and related occupations with some experience or some secondary school, and may require certification. It includes trades helpers and labourers; and public works and other labourers not elsewhere classified.
761 - Trades helpers and labourers
This minor group includes construction trades helpers and labourers, and other trades helpers and labourers. They are employed by construction companies; trade and labour contractors; surface mine and quarry operators; and a wide variety of manufacturing, utility and service companies.
7611 - Construction trades helpers and labourers
Construction trades helpers and labourers assist skilled tradespersons and perform labouring activities at construction sites, in quarries and in surface mines. They are employed by construction companies, trade and labour contractors, and surface mine and quarry operators.
Illustrative example(s)
- asphalt spreader
- bricklayer helper
- carpenter helper
- concrete mixer helper
- concrete paving labourer
- construction helper
- construction labourer
- demolition worker
- driller helper - surface mining
- drywall sander
- excavation labourer
- flagman/woman
- glazier helper
- pipeline mandrel operator
- plumber helper
- roofer helper
- stabber - pipeline construction
Exclusion(s)
- Other trades helpers and labourers (See 7612 Other trades helpers and labourers)
- Public works and maintenance labourers (See 7621 Public works and maintenance labourers)
Main duties
Construction trades helpers and labourers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Load and unload construction materials, and move materials to work areas
- Erect and dismantle concrete forms, scaffolding, ramps, catwalks, shoring and barricades required at construction sites
- Mix, pour and spread materials such as concrete and asphalt
- Assist tradespersons such as carpenters, bricklayers, cement finishers, roofers and glaziers in construction activities
- Assist heavy equipment operators to secure special attachments to equipment, signal operators to guide them in moving equipment and provide assistance in other activities
- Assist in aligning pipes and perform related activities during oil and gas pipeline construction
- Assist in drilling and blasting rock at construction sites
- Assist miners in excavating and in setting up and operating various drills and other surface mining machinery
- Level earth to fine grade specifications using rake and shovel
- Assist in demolishing buildings using prying bars and other tools, and sort, clean and pile salvaged materials
- Remove rubble and other debris at construction sites using rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows and other equipment
- Operate pneumatic hammers, vibrators and tampers as directed
- Tend or feed machines or equipment used in construction such as mixers, compressors and pumps
- Clean up chemical spills and other contaminants, and remove asbestos and other hazardous materials
- Oil and grease hoists and similar equipment
- Direct traffic at or near construction sites
- Perform other activities at construction sites, as directed.
Employment requirements
- Some experience as a general construction labourer may be required for construction trade helpers.
- Some pipeline workers, such as stabbers, mandrel operators and pre-heater tenders, usually require one season of experience in oil and gas pipeline construction.
- Flagmen/women may require a traffic control certificate.
- Trade certification for construction craft worker is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified construction craft workers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Additional information
- Mobility is possible among workers in this unit group.
- The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
7612 - Other trades helpers and labourers
This unit group includes trade helpers and labourers, not elsewhere classified, who assist skilled tradespersons and perform labouring activities in the installation, maintenance and repair of industrial machinery, refrigeration, heating and air conditioning equipment, in the maintenance and repair of transportation and heavy equipment, in the installation and repair of telecommunication and power cables and in other repair and service work settings. They are employed by a wide variety of manufacturing, utility and service companies.
Illustrative example(s)
- aerial spraying assistant
- aircraft mechanic helper
- cable installer helper
- diesel mechanic helper
- ground worker - telecommunications
- mechanic's helper - automotive
- millwright helper
- refrigeration mechanic helper
- splicer helper - telecommunications
- surveyor helper
Exclusion(s)
- Construction trades helpers and labourers (See 7611 Construction trades helpers and labourers)
Main duties
Trade helpers and labourers in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:
- Move tools, equipment and other materials to and from work areas
- Assist in splicing overhead and underground communications and electric power transmission cables
- Assist in repairing, maintaining and installing industrial machinery and equipment
- Assist in repairing, maintaining and installing refrigeration, heating and air conditioning equipment
- Assist in repairing, maintaining and installing elevators
- Assist in repairing and maintaining stationary electric power generating and distribution equipment
- Assist in mechanical, electrical and body repairs of aircraft, railway cars, automobiles, trucks, buses, heavy equipment and motorcycles
- Assist in repairing electrical appliances, small engines or other similar equipment
- Mix fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides and load mixture into airplane for aerial spraying
- Assist in land surveying activities, such as holding or moving stakes and rods, clearing brush and debris from line of survey and transporting surveying tools to work area
- Perform other labouring and elemental tasks as required.
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school education may be required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
Additional information
- There is little or no mobility between occupations in this unit group.
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