Top 10 High Demand Skilled Trade Jobs in Canada
For a long time, Canada has been known for its strong economy and diverse population, with skilled trades and high rate of jobs acting as the major pillars of this structure.
These include construction and technology, among others, and are facing an increased demand for professionals with special skills and knowledge.
If you consider having a skilled trade job in Canada, there are plenty of opportunities to tryout and stay stable.
In this article, we will discuss Canada’s top ten most wanted skilled trade jobs, examining and making it to the top and looking ahead for each sector.
For those in practical work like construction or cutting-edge technologies, the Canadian trade industry has many profitable ways for individuals possessing their expertise.
Let us explore the main drivers of the Canadian economy today while showing how this can be a rewarding profession.
Why are Skilled Trade jobs lucrative in Canada?
Indeed, skilled trade jobs seem lucrative in Canada for many reasons, making them sought after by people. Here are six major reasons why they are considered to be very lucrative;
1. Growing Demand: There needs to be more skilled people doing various trade jobs across different sectors, including construction, manufacturing, automotive, and technology in Canada.
The retired workers has created a huge gap in the workforce, which is why there’s calling for skilled employees to fill these positions.
Moreover, the country’s expansion of infrastructural projects in housing and industrial developments has also increased requirements for skilled traders.
2. Competitive Wages: To attract and maintain talent due to the scarcity of skilled workers, employers offer competitive wages prevailing among other professions, especially considering short durations for training compared with normal university degrees.
For example, certified electricians, plumbers, and welders may earn handsome salaries if they have relevant experience and specialization in their respective skilled trade jobs in Canada.
These pay packages ensure a sustainable income and financial certainty for individuals pursuing skilled trade jobs in Canada.
3. Opportunities for Advancement: Unlike other professions where career paths can be limited in some cases, there are numerous chances of advancing in the trades.
People with skilled trade jobs in Canada can take additional certifications, specialize in narrow fields, or even start their businesses as independent contractors or entrepreneurs.
When experienced and knowledgeable, they move up to executive positions, supervisors or project managers, who often carry higher pay with more responsibilities.
4. Job Security: The skilled trade jobs will stay strong in Canada for many years.
Unlike some industries like finance and retail, which are easily hit by economic downturns, skilled trades are essential sectors that aren’t affected by cyclical economic trends.
There will always be a need for homes, buildings, infrastructures and various products, thus making it necessary to design, construct, maintain, repair them all year round.
Hence, the demand for skilled craftsmen to design, construct, maintain, and fix these necessities is continuous.
In this regard, skilled trades offer excellent job security and stability, thus affording one peace of mind when joining such occupations.
5. Work-Life Balance: Many skilled trade jobs offer good work-life balance, unlike other professions that require long hours or extensive travel.
Tradespeople often have more control over their schedules, especially if they are self-employed or work for more flexible companies.
Additionally, crafts often lend themselves to hands-on application, which is suitable for individuals who like manual labor and can see the results of their work.
Top 10 High-Demand Skilled Trade Jobs in Canada
1. Electrician
Electricians play vital roles in installing, maintaining and repairing electrical systems in homes, businesses and industries.
Becoming a certified electrician in Canada usually requires participating in a four- or five-year apprenticeship program.
Practical experience is gained through working under the guidance of experienced electricians and formalized classroom learning sessions.
To qualify for certification, apprentices must accumulate a certain number of practical hours of experience working alongside licensed journeymen during every class hour attended at school.
Coursework is supposed to be completed before taking exams administered by regulatory authorities upon the end of the apprenticeship scheme.
It will subsequently enable someone to pursue diverse career options, including journeyman electrician, among others.
Average Salary: The salaries earned by electrical professionals range from $50K to $90K per year depending on variables such as years worked, location or area of specialization.
2. Welder
Welders are individuals who join metals together using specialized equipment and techniques. Their services are also required in other sectors like manufacturing, automotive and construction industries.
For welding, people can enroll in vocational training provided at technical schools or apply to apprenticeship programs that last between two and five years, depending on various factors, such as whether one has prior work experience or is starting fresh.
The latter scenario presents an apprentice with a chance of being trained by an experienced welder whereby once they pass the practical and theoretical exams that will be done before the certification process commences.
Then welders can further specialize in either underwater welding, pipeline welding or aerospace welding, which would open up more doors of opportunities to them just like other skilled trade jobs in Canada.
Average Salary: Welders in Canada typically earn $40K-$80K annually, depending on their job experiences, certifications earned, and sector of occupation.
3. Plumber
Plumbers are one of the highly regarded skilled trade jobs in Canada. Their work may seem simple, but they get paid handsomely for their services.
Plumbers usually install pipes in homes, businesses, buildings, and industries that ensure water flows properly, such as carrying away waste materials safely.
Becoming a certified plumber in Canada usually entails enrolling on a four or five-year apprenticeship programme.
Also licensed plumbers oversee every step throughout the period under their guidance for practical experience within the installation and repairing plumbing fixtures like faucets, sinks plus studying plumbing codes and regulations.
While completing their coursework during the completion of these courses, they will be required by examining boards to sit for respective examinations.
If passed, they can get a license followed by seeking opportunities either in residential commercial or industrial sectors.
Average Salary: Plumbers in Canada make approximately 50k to 90k dollars a year, contingent on geographic location.
4. Heavy Equipment Operator
Heavy equipment operators are responsible for operating machines such as bulldozers, excavators, and cranes to move earth materials, dig sites, as well as construction sites, mines, and industrial facilities.
Some employers provide on-the-job training for entry-level positions, while others require formal training of the heavy equipment operators by the vocational schools or industry-sponsored programs.
They operate based on machinery operations, maintenance procedures, and safety protocols. Other provinces may also require the operators to be certified to run some machinery.
Average Salary: Heavy Equipment Operators in Canada earn an average salary of $45k – $85k depending on experience, location and the type of equipment operated.
5. HVAC Technician
HVAC technicians install heating systems, cool building ventilation systems, and air conditioning units in homes, commercial properties, and factories.
HVAC technicians can be trained by joining a two to five-year apprenticeship program or attending technical institutes offering vocational education courses.
Apprentices learn how to set up and service HVAC units; they also become experts in the diagnosis of common malfunctions & follow health codes.
The certification requirements differ from province to province, but a technician might most likely have to face examinations organized by industry bodies before being licensed.
Average Salary: Depending on experience, certifications, and geographic location, HVAC technicians in Canada could be paid approximately $50k – $80k per annum.
6. Carpenter
Construction projects need carpenters who work on buildings within residential areas or those used for commercial and industrial purposes, making structures that will last long after their creators have stopped using them while also mending them when they break down after getting damaged due to various reasons.
A four-year registered apprenticeship should be completed to become a certified carpenter, which includes classroom hours and hands-on training under experienced carpenters.
During this period of teaching, trainees acquire skills in carpentry, learn about reading blueprinting patterns, and secure the tools which they will be using. After that, a carpenter may prefer to specialize in finishing or framing carpentry or cabinet making.
Average Salary: A Carpenter in Canada can earn between $45k and $75k annually, depending on experience, specialization, and work location.
7. Machinist:
Machinists use machine tools to create precise metal parts needed in manufacturing processes. They interpret mechanical drawings for setups and oversee production to ensure accuracy and quality.
In most instances, education towards becoming a machinist involves observing the machinist apprenticeship program or vocational training in machining technology, which may take two to four years.
On this, apprentices understand how to do machining, CNC programming and equipment maintenance. In addition, machinists can earn certifications from industry bodies to improve their qualifications.
Average Salary: Machinists in Canada may earn around $45k – $80k per annum based on experience, expertise and industrial sector.
8. Automotive Service Technician:
Automotive service technicians fix mechanical and electrical systems found within automobiles like cars and trucks. A person who is interested in this skilled trade job should enroll in any automotive service technician apprenticeship program in Canada.
Practice lasts about four years (and includes theoretical training sessions normally held within classrooms & practical work assignments done under supervision).
These apprentices will be taught about engine repair works, how brakes function, and electrical diagnosis techniques, including vehicle maintenance aspects.
Once finished with their learning process, technicians are awarded certificates by organizations like the Automotive Service Technicians Society (ASTS) indicating their proficiency level.
Average Salary: The average salary ranges from $40K – 70K yearly., depending on experience, certification levels attained & employment sector for people working as automotive service technicians across Canada.
9. Industrial Electrician:
Industrial electricians concentrate on fitting, maintaining and repairing electrical systems in industrial environments like factories, plants and production facilities.
They deal with high-voltage equipment, motor controls, and automation systems to ensure that machinery and other equipment are continuously running.
An individual becomes an industrial electrician after a four-year industrial electrician apprenticeship program.
During this period, trainees are taught about electrical theory, blueprint reading, PLC programming and industrial safety standards.
Industrial electricians may need special certifications for working with hazardous substances or specialized tools in some circumstances.
Average Salary: Industrial electricians in Canada earn between $ 55k and $ 95k per annum, depending on experience level, industry sector, and geographic location.
10. Construction Manager:
A construction manager is responsible for overseeing the entire project from planning to completion by coordinating resources such as people and budgets to ensure that projects are safely completed within the time frame allowed and within budgeted costs.
Although not a trade job itself per se, construction management requires technical knowledge, leadership skills, and expertise in project management.
Those interested in pursuing a construction management profession can acquire a civil engineering or construction management degree, amongst other related fields.
Alternatively, internships or even entry-level roles within construction companies can also be exploited so that one gets exposure before moving into managerial positions.
Average Salary: Construction managers in Canada earn between $70k and $120k per annum, depending on experience level and project size, among other geographical aspects.
FAQs
Which province in Canada pays the highest salary?
One of the leading provinces with high salaries is Alberta due to its strong economy, which is majorly focused on the oil and gas sector. However, the cost of living there is also important.
What skilled trades are in demand in Ontario?
Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, others, HVAC technicians, and welders are some skilled trades facing high demand in Ontario. All these careers are vital for infrastructure development or even maintenance purposes across the entire region.
What is the hardest skilled trade?
Determining the hardest skilled trade is subjective and depends on physical demands, technical complexity and individual aptitude.
However, professions like ironworking, underwater welding and electrical lineman work are often considered challenging due to their physical and technical demands.
What skilled trades are in demand in Ontario?
Other than what we mentioned earlier, industrial mechanics, machinists, heavy equipment operators, and industrial electricians are among the highly sorted skills within the Ontario region’s economy, encompassing industries such as manufacturing logistics and the construction industry, forming its backbone.
Conclusion
If you want to go to Canada, there are lots of opportunities for anyone interested in skilled trades. Maybe you want a career as a carpenter, milling machine operator, auto mechanic, industrial electrician, or construction superintendent; there is a line for you to get the skills for it, gain experience, and have job satisfaction from being employed in any trade.
