woman in hard hat and reflective vest in an industrial setting

Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades

(NOC 72020)
Annual Earnings
$87,595
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years
Job Openings
(2024-2034)
1,430

Career Overview

This group includes heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, millwrighting and elevator installation trade contractors who own and operate their own businesses.

This group also includes supervisors employed in a wide range of establishments who supervise and coordinate the activities of workers classified in groups within the following areas:

  • Machinery and transportation equipment mechanics (except motor vehicle)
  • Automotive service technicians and other mechanics

Job Titles

Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic foreman/woman
Aircraft maintenance engineers (AME) supervisor
Aircraft mechanics and inspectors foreman/woman
Appliance repair shop supervisor
Electrical mechanics foreman/woman
Heating systems contractor
Heating systems mechanics foreman/woman
Heavy machinery assembly foreman/woman
Industrial mechanics supervisor
Motor vehicle repair shop supervisor
Printing machine repairers foreman/woman
Railway car repairer foreman/woman
Railway equipment maintenance inspectors foreman/woman
Small-engine repair shop foreman/woman
Textile machine mechanics foreman/woman

Duties

Contractors and supervisors in this occupational group perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of workers who repair and maintain aircraft, railway locomotives and cars, industrial machinery and equipment, construction and other heavy equipment, textile equipment, printing machines, heating equipment and furnaces, transformers and other electrical equipment, motor vehicles, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, electric appliances, and other equipment such as motorcycles, outboard motors and snowmobiles
  • Establish methods to meet work schedules and coordinate work activities with other departments
  • Order materials and supplies
  • Solve work problems and recommend ways to improve work productivity
  • Train or arrange for training of workers
  • Recommend personnel actions such as hiring and promotions
  • Make sure that work safety standard are followed
  • Prepare production and other reports
  • May manage the operations of their own company
  • May also supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of related apprentices, 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.

Annual Earnings

$87,595

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$57.69/hr
Median$42.00/hr
Low$25.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2024 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

2,970

% Employed Full Time

81%
Source: 2021 Census

Work generally takes place indoors.

Career Pathways

There is little or no inter-trade movement among the supervisors in this 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.

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:

Enterprising
Enterprising

Education, Training and Skills

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required
  • Several years of experience as a qualified tradesperson in a relevant trade are usually required
  • Journeyman/woman trade certification in a relevant trade is required

Education programs in B.C.

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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

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!

Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

75%
Management of Personnel Resources

Motivating, developing and directing people as they work, and identifying the best people for the job.

72%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

68%

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

2,970
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 170 5.7%
Kootenay 150 5.1%
Mainland/Southwest 1,580 53.2%
North Coast and Nechako 65 2.2%
Northeast 75 2.5%
Thompson-Okanagan 455 15.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 480 16.2%
Source: 2021 Census

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)

1,430
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 90 0.3%
Kootenay 50 -0.6%
Mainland/Southwest 820 1.5%
North Coast and Nechako 10 1.2%
Northeast 30 0.5%
Thompson-Okanagan 220 0.8%
Vancouver Island/Coast 210 0.5%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

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

IndustryJob Openings (2024-2034)
Construction560
Retail Trade180
Transportation and Warehousing180
Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services170
Manufacturing120
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources

Resource information is currently not available.