Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
Career Overview
This group includes plumbing and other pipefitting trade contractors who own and operate their own businesses. It also includes supervisors who supervise and coordinate the activities of workers classified in the following groups:
- Plumbers (NOC 72300)
- Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers (NOC 72301)
- Gas fitters (NOC 72302)
These workers are employed by:
- Construction companies
- Mechanical, plumbing and pipefitting trade contractors
- Maintenance departments of industrial, commercial and manufacturing establishments
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 install, repair and maintain piping systems used for the transmission of steam, heat, water, oil and other liquids and gases in residential, commercial, industrial and other installations
- Set up methods to meet work schedules and coordinate work activities with other departments
- Order materials and supplies
- Solve work problems and recommend 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 schedules and other reports
- May manage the operations of own company
- May 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.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
1,780% Employed Full Time
72%Work generally takes place indoors in a setting.
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 tradesperson in a relevant trade are required
- Journeyman/woman trade certification in a relevant trade is required
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Plumbing/Pipefitting
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.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
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.
Teaching others how to do something.
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
1,780Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 40 | 2.3% |
| Kootenay | 40 | 2.3% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,115 | 62.8% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 25 | 1.4% |
| Northeast | 55 | 3.1% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 220 | 12.4% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 280 | 15.8% |
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)
530Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 10 | 1.5% |
| Kootenay | 0 | -0.1% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 390 | 1.9% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 0 | -2.0% |
| Northeast | 10 | 0.6% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 60 | 1.3% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 60 | 0.1% |
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 | 490 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 10 |
| Retail Trade | 10 |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 10 |
| Wholesale Trade | 10 |
Resources
Resource information is currently not available.
