Sunday, September 11, 2022 Exploring Red Seal Pathways: Technician & Machining Trades (Part 2 of 4) Do you like to analyze, inspect, and repair systems? Consider a career in one of the Red Seal technician or machining trades! Blogs Sectors Construction Manufacturing Whether you’re a high school student planning your career path or already in the workforce and looking for a change, you should be considering a career in the skilled trades. In addition to the high demand for skilled workers, apprentices get paid to learn, opening themselves up to unlimited career pathways. But where to start? There are many more Red Seal trades and career pathways than most people realize, so please join us for part two in this four-part series where we explore the Red Seal trades and the opportunities found within each. You can also check out part one of this series, Metal Trades! Powerline Technician Description: Powerline technicians construct, maintain, and repair overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems. They compile information to install and maintain street lighting systems; and in inspecting and testing overhead and underground power lines, cables, and auxiliary equipment using electrical testing equipment. Apprenticeship: 4-year apprenticeship Average Salary: $91,400* Working Conditions: Powerline technicians work outdoors and travel to various work sites so travelling often is part of the work day. A 40-hour work week is normal, however; there may be shift work or emergency situations that require overtime. Required Skills: Strength and stamina, coordination, manual dexterity, good hearing and colour vision, comfort with heights and confined spaces, mechanical aptitude, adaptability, and the ability to work as part of a team. Career Pathways: Utility and construction work with advancement opportunity to lead hand, foreperson, supervisor, methods specialist, design and quality control analyst, and safety codes officer. Instrumentation & Control Technician Description: Instrumentation and control technicians install, maintain, and repair the measuring and control devices used in industrial and commercial processing. With industry becoming increasingly automated, instrumentation and control technicians are needed virtually anywhere there are control and metering systems. Apprenticeship: 4-year apprenticeship Average Salary: $72,369* Working Conditions: Working conditions will change from job to job, but workers may follow regular weekday hours or work rotation schedules and are sometimes on call at night and on weekends, indoors or outdoors, in high places or confined spaces. Required Skills: Attention to detail, communication and reading skills, manual dexterity, patience, mathematical and mechanical abilities, and the ability to reason logically. Career Pathways: Construction, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas extraction, scientific and technical services, site manager, documents controller, supervisor/foreperson, engineer, and more. Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Description: Industrial mechanics (millwrights) install, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment in sites such as factories, production plants, and recreational facilities. They analyze information to inspect and examine machinery and equipment to detect and investigate irregularities and malfunctions, to adjust machinery, and to repair and replace defective parts; and in installing, trouble-shooting, and maintaining systems or machines. Apprenticeship: 4-year apprenticeship Average Salary: $75,472* Working Conditions: Working conditions vary from one job to another. On construction job sites, industrial mechanics (millwrights) are exposed to a variety of weather conditions. In plant maintenance, they may work indoors and outdoors. Hours of work also vary, and shift work and some overtime may be required. Required Skills: Patient with attention to detail, strong hand-eye coordination, good vision, and manual dexterity. Career Pathways: Manufacturing, processing, and construction industries. As millwrights are exposed to a variety of duties tied to other trades, they make excellent candidates for supervisory and superintendent positions. Machinist Description: Machinists set up and operate precision metal cutting and grinding machines such as lathes, milling machines, drills, and grinders to make and repair products made from metals, plastics, rubber textiles, fiberglass, and alloys. Apprenticeship: 4-year apprenticeship Average Salary: $62,422* Working Conditions: Machinists generally work indoors with 40-hour work weeks, except for potential overtime in emergencies. Night shifts are common in many shops. Required Skills: Mechanical aptitude, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, manual dexterity, the ability to estimate and measure size/distance accurately, and the ability to work alone at tasks that require both concentration and physical effort. Machinists should enjoy creative work with machinery that requires both skill and precision. Career Pathways: Construction, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas extraction, supervisory positions, engineering, sales, and more. No matter what your trade of choice, CLAC supports apprentices on their apprenticeship journey! Services include training, resume building, employment search, and apprenticeship pathway support. Learn more at clac.ca/apprenticeship! Check out part one of this series – Metal Trades! *All salaries are as reported on Glassdoor for the Canadian Average. Pay rates will vary between provinces, sector of work and type of work. Sources: Red-seal.ca, Glassdoor.com, alis.alberta.ca Previous Next You might be interested in Holding on to Resentment Is Harmful—Learn to Let It Go 20 May 2025 Workplace Lessons We Can Learn from Chess 16 May 2025 RVilla Caledonia Retirement Living Employees Unanimously Ratify New Contract 15 May 2025 Using Technology to Further the Cause of Progressive Trade Unionism 15 May 2025