Skilled Trades Staff

Careers in Skilled Trades

School maintenance and repairs are done by both skilled and unskilled trades. Carpenter, plumber, electrician, gas fitter, HVAC, horticulturist, painter, mechanic and other trades assist districts from minor repairs to major renovations of school district facilities. Other unskilled trades include custodians, grounds people, and general labourers.

Example job titles of skilled trades:

• Carpenter
• Plumber
• Gas Fitter
• Electrician
• HVAC Technician
• Millwright
• Heavy Duty Mechanic
• Horticulturalist
• Custodian / Building Service Worker

Example job titles of unskilled trades:

• Grounds People
• General Labourers

Qualifications and Certification Details

Trades qualifications are required for all TQ Trades positions. Requirements for other positions may require some specialized training. For information about starting an apprenticeship or applying for a ticket/certificate, visit the Industry Training Authority (ITA).

Salary

Skilled trades persons in BC school districts are members of their local support staff union. The terms of employment, including hours of work, will vary depending on the district, the collective agreement, and the type of position held by the employee.

These salary estimates are based on data from July 1, 2017. Salaries and hourly rates vary from district to district.

Training and Educational Programs

The following is a list of trades training programs in British Columbia. A comprehensive list of trades training programs and services may also be found on the Trades Training BC website.

Employment Opportunities

Find electrical, carpentry, horticulture, HVAC, painting, and other skilled trades jobs on Makeafuture.ca under the ‘support staff’ position category.

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