Construction Trades Supervisors

Description

A lot of skilled labour goes into constructing a building. It's like an army--well organized, led by a competent general, and "armed" with tools and the "tricks of the trade." If you'd like to be part of that construction army as the leader of your troops, consider a supervisory job, or ownership of your own business.

This unit group includes owners and operators of businesses in roofing, masonry, painting and other construction trades. It also includes supervisors of workers in the following groups: Masonry and Plastering Trades (728), Other Construction Trades (729) and Other Installers, Repairers and Servicers (744).

Specific duties

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

• supervise, co-ordinate and schedule the activities of construction workers engaged in bricklaying, roofing, cement finishing, tilesetting, plastering, drywall installation, glazing, insulating and painting, and workers who install and service prefabricated products in residential and commercial properties, as well as workers who repair a wide variety of products, such as musical instruments, sports equipment, vending machines, bicycles and cameras
  
• establish methods to meet work schedules and co-ordinate work activities with other subcontractors
  
• resolve work problems and recommend measures to improve productivity and product quality
  
• requisition materials and supplies
  
• train workers in job duties, safety procedures and company policies
  
• recommend personnel actions such as hirings and promotions
  
• prepare work progress reports
  
• may manage the operations of own company
  
• may also supervise, co-ordinate and schedule the activities of related apprentices, helpers and labourers.
  

Related careers

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

• Automotive Mechanical Installers & Servicers
• Bricklayers
• Cleaning Supervisors
• Concrete Finishers
• Construction Trades Helpers & Labourers
• Drywallers & Plasterers
• Glaziers
• Insulators
• Painters & Decorators
• Repairers & Servicers
• Residential & Commercial Installers & Servicers
• Roofers & Shinglers
• Tilesetters
• Waterworks & Gas Maintenance Workers

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	ENG3C English, Grade 11, College Preparation or ENG3E English, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	ENG4C English, Grade 12, College Preparation or ENG4E English, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or EWC4C The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, College 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	MBF3C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation or MCF3M Functions and Applications, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or MEL3E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	MAP4C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation or MCT4C Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or 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 or SNC3M Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation	SNC4E Science, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or SNC4M Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or SPH4C Physics, Grade 12, College Preparation
Optional
TTI1O Integrated Technologies, Grade 9, Open	TCJ2O Construction Technology, Grade 10, Open or TDJ2O Technological Design, Grade 10, Open or TMJ2O Manufacturing Technology, Grade 10, Open	TCJ3C Construction Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation or TCJ3E Construction Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or TDJ3E Technological Design, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or TDJ3M Technological Design, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TMJ3C Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation or TMJ3E Manufacturing Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	TCJ4C Construction Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or TCJ4E Construction Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or TDJ4E Technological Design, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or TDJ4M Technological Design, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TMJ4C Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or TMJ4E Manufacturing Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

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

* students planning technical school/college training might consider college-level courses

* students should consider options from Business and Technology

* students should consider options from Social Sciences, The Arts, History etc.

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

Post-secondary options

• Several years of experience in the trade or in the work area supervised are usually required.
  
• Journeyman/woman trade certification may be required for some occupations in this unit group.
  
  

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
College
Algonquin College	Carpentry and Millwork - Heritage Construction Carpentry Techniques Construction Engineering Technician Continuing Education - Carpentry
Algonquin College Heritage Institute (Perth)	Carpentry and Millwork - Heritage Construction Carpentry - Advanced Housing Construction Carpentry Techniques
Canadore College	Renovation Technician - Construction Carpentry Renovation Techniques - Construction Carpentry
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning	Construction Specifications Canada Certification (CSC) Woodworking Technician Woodworking Technology (Co-op) Woodworking Technology - Architectural Millwork (Co-op)
Fanshawe College	Construction Carpentry Techniques Construction Engineering Technician - Supervisor Construction Engineering Technology - Management
George Brown College	Construction Engineering Technician Construction and Environment - Regulations & Compliance (Bachelor's Degree)
George Brown College - Casa Loma	Construction Engineering Technician
Loyalist College	Construction Engineering Technician
Mohawk College	Construction Engineering Technician
Northern College	Construction Engineering Technician - Building Management

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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?

Any experience you can get through part-time jobs is valuable. Not only will you gain some skills, you can get to know whether that particular trade is right for you. And if you're right for it!

Employers

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

A wide range of establishments employ tradespeople, from service and repair shops to large construction companies. Or, you could be self-employed. In that case, you'll need business skills on top of your hands-on skills.

Work environment

For descriptions of the work environments, please see the individual careers, linked from Related Careers.
In general, the supervisor may be involved in the hands-on work, but he or she will also have some paper work and will spend time on a computer with budgets. You may also meet often with other members of the construction team.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

bricklaying contractor
cement finishing contractor
foreman/woman, glaziers
foreman/woman, insulators
foreman/woman, plasterers
painting contractor
pest control supervisor
roofing contractor
supervisor, bicycle repair shop
supervisor, painters and decorators
supervisor, tilesetters

For more information

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

• 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

• TCA Connect
  The Toronto Construction Association's CONstruction Network for Education and Career Training (CONNECT). Information on a wide variety of careers in the construction industry (including trades, management, sales, etc.). Also includes training information.