Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
Career Overview
This group includes sheet metal, ironwork, welding and boilermaking trade contractors who own and operate their own businesses.
This group also includes supervisors who supervise and coordinate the activities of workers classified in the following unit groups:
- Sheet metal workers (NOC 72102)
- Boilermakers (NOC 72103)
- Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters (NOC 72104)
- Ironworkers (NOC 72105)
- Welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106)
- Machining tool operators (94106)
- Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (72100)
- Tool and die makers (72101)
These workers are employed by structural, platework and related metal products fabrication, manufacturing and erecting companies and machine shops. Contractors may be self-employed.
Job Titles
Duties
Contractors and supervisors in this group perform some or all of the following duties:
- Supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of workers who shape, form and join metal parts or products to specified dimensions, machine metal into parts, prodecucts, tools and dies or moulds with precise measurements and erect light and heavy metal products and structures
- Set up methods to meet work schedules and coordinate work activities with other departments
- Order materials and supplies
- Solve work problems and recommend work measures to improve productivity
- Train or arrange for training of workers
- Recommend personnel actions such as hirings and promotions
- Make sure standards for safe working conditions are met
- Prepare production and other reports
- Set up machines and equipment
- Write programs for computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools
- May manage the operations of own company
- May also supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of apprentices, machine operators, helpers and labourers
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
1,720% Employed Full Time
78%Work generally takes place indoors in a setting that may be noisy.
Career Pathways
There is little or no intertrade mobility among the supervisors in this unit group.
Small businesses' contractors may execute tasks within their trade area of expertise, which is generally not the case for supervisors or contractors associated with a medium or large business.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
- Completion of secondary school is usually required
- Several years of experience as a qualified machinist or tool and die maker are required
- Journeyman/woman trade certification in machining, tool and die making or in another related metalworking trade is required
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Machinist
- Construction - Other (Commercial/Residential)
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Motivating, developing and directing people as they work, and identifying the best people for the job.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
1,720Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 60 | 3.5% |
| Kootenay | 25 | 1.5% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,105 | 64.4% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 20 | 1.2% |
| Northeast | 40 | 2.3% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 245 | 14.3% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 220 | 12.8% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
810Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 30 | -0.2% |
| Kootenay | Not available | Not available |
| Mainland/Southwest | 520 | 1.2% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | 10 | 1.0% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 160 | 1.3% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 100 | 0.2% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Construction | 330 |
| Manufacturing | 320 |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 80 |
| Wholesale Trade | 20 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 20 |
Resources
Resource information is currently not available.
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