Concrete Finishers

Description

You've seen them at work on the streets, going over their work repeatedly to get it just right. You may have been tempted to mar their perfection with a footprint or initial. They're concrete finishers; they pour and finish concrete structures, like sidewalks.

It takes know-how to make concrete dry in the required form or get a smooth, even surface. I could do that, you say? If you like outdoor, hands-on work, you could be right. You'll discover it takes skill, experience, and patience.

The raw materials of a concrete finisher's work are cement, sand, gravel, and water. The finisher transforms this sloppy mixture into the most common building material there is--concrete.

It takes a lot of physical strength and endurance to do this heavy work. Being a perfectionist also helps, because the finished product has to look good and last a long time. Heat, cold, and wind can affect how concrete hardens, so finishers have to adjust the mixture to account for these factors.

Specific duties

Depending on the structure they are working on, concrete finishers are responsible for some or all of the following duties:

• following blueprints and instructions to make sure concrete is poured properly into frames or onto prepared surfaces
  
• using hand tools and power tools to compact the concrete and make it smooth and even
  
• applying different compounds to finish, harden and seal the poured concrete
  
• using colours and decorative finishes to create attractive features in floors and walls, and
  
• repairing and replacing damaged sections of floors, walls, roads and other structures.
  

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

• Bricklayers
• Concrete, Clay & Stone Forming Operators
• Construction Trades Supervisors

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses
Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
English
ENG1D English, Grade 9, Academic or ENG1P English, Grade 9, Applied	ENG2D English, Grade 10, Academic or ENG2P English, Grade 10, Applied	ENG3E English, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	ENG4E English, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
Math
MFM1P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied or MPM1D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic	MFM2P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied or MPM2D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic	MEL3E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	MEL4E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
Science
SNC1D Science, Grade 9, Academic or SNC1P Science, Grade 9, Applied	SNC2D Science, Grade 10, Academic or SNC2P Science, Grade 10, Applied	SNC3E Science, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	SNC4E Science, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
Optional
TTI1O Integrated Technologies, Grade 9, Open	TCJ2O Construction Technology, Grade 10, Open or TDJ2O Technological Design, Grade 10, Open or TGJ2O Communications Technology, Grade 10, Open or TMJ2O Manufacturing Technology, Grade 10, Open	TCJ3E Construction Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or TDJ3E Technological Design, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or TGJ3E Communications Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or TMJ3E Manufacturing Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	TCJ4E Construction Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or TDJ4E Technological Design, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or TGJ4E Communications Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or TMJ4E Manufacturing Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

* some workplace occupations may require students to take some college-level courses

* students should consult their counsellor for appropriate Technology options in Grades 11 and 12

Post-secondary options

• Concrete finishers have to be in good physical shape. They must be able to read and follow blueprints and instructions and measure and mix substances accurately.
  
  
• It's a good idea to get some general experience in and knowledge about the construction industry. This will help you become familiar with construction methods and procedures.
  
  
• Apprenticeships are available as Cement Finisher, Cement Mason,
  Precast Concrete Finisher or Restoration Mason.
  
  
• In most provinces, obtaining formal certification as a concrete finisher isn't a requirement. However, if you want to assure potential employers that you're fully qualified, a voluntary certification process is available.
  

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Institution	Programs offered
University
McMaster University	Masonry: Material and Design (Graduate Diploma)
College
Algonquin College	Building Construction Technician Construction Engineering Technician
Algonquin College Heritage Institute (Perth)	Masonry - Heritage and Traditional
Loyalist College	Construction Engineering Technician
Mohawk College	Construction Engineering Technician
Niagara College	Construction Techniques
Sault College	Construction Engineering Technician
St. Clair College	Construction Engineering Technician – Civil

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Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

Some concrete finishers get so good that they are in demand as skilled craftspeople. They work on decorative floors, patios, and walkways.

Concrete finishers can become supervisors or estimators on construction projects. Supervisors plan and oversee the work of other concrete finishers, while estimators plan large projects and estimate the cost of the labour and materials.

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

construction companies
cement and concrete contractors
manufacturers of precast concrete products
self-employment

Work environment

Most concrete finishers wear kneepads and waterproof boots because they spend their day standing and kneeling in wet concrete.

Pouring and finishing concrete is strenuous, dirty work that's done mostly outside--even on the hottest days in summer. You need lots of stamina, and sometimes patience, to keep your cool.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

Cement finisher apprentice
Cement mason
Concrete finisher
Concrete mason
Precast concrete finisher

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• Apprenticeship: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
  Information about apprenticeship opportunities in Ontario including training info, contacts, etc.

• Careers in Construction
  This site has some great information about careers in construction, and includes videos, profiles, the four sectors--New Home Building and Renovation, Heavy Industrial, Institutional and Commercial, and Civil Engineering--career paths, and lots more. Canada-wide.

• Council of Ontario Construction Associations

• Interprovincial Standards
  The "Red Seal" allows qualified trades persons to practise in any province or territory in Canada. Includes a list of all Red Seal trades.

• MadeWithTheTrades.com
  Careers in Construction. Includes profiles of apprentices and journeypersons, and information about the construction industry.

• Ontario Construction Secretariat

• Stonecarver
  This is more about sculpting in stone, but it has some interesting historical tidbits, and a nice gallery of stone artifacts and products.