Aircraft assemblers fabricate and fit parts to form aircraft segments which
are then assembled into either fixed win aircraft or helicopters. Aircraft
assemblers are employed by manufacturers of complete aircraft or aircraft
components and by aircraft repair, overhaul and modification companies.
There
are a variety of duties you perform as an aircraft assembler. You refer to
computer-aided designs or diagrams, developed by engineers, to help assemble the
fabricated parts and sections that comprise an aircraft. Work is performed at
benches or on specific parts of the aircraft structure itself. You fasten
components and sections by drilling, riveting, and screwing parts together with
a number of power and hand tools. To achieve specific design quality, jigs are
often used to maintain accuracy during machining and assembly operations.
You
install aircraft sub-assemblies and pre-fabricated parts such as rigging, flight
controls, and aircraft skins. For heavier components such as landing gear,
hydraulics and engines, you use hoists or cranes to help in positioning. Pay for
this work is based on an hourly wage.
Training for aircraft assembly is extensive. As a trainee, you learn about
everything that relates to aircraft assembly. Classroom time provided by the
company is spent learning the theoretical elements of aircraft structure and the
practical application of assembly work. You must successfully complete regular
testing during this period. Once you pass this level, you move into the
production area where you are introduced to all aspects of assembly work.
Given
the broad range of assembly duties involved with aircraft manufacturing, your
on-the-job training can take months. During this period, you are assessed on
your work and are encouraged to pursue fields where you show promise. If you
succeed, you may have your choice of the area in which you want to work.
Supervisory and inspector positions may also be achieved.
Aircraft
assemblers should be flexible with their time as some manufacturers require
shift work.
To be an aircraft assembler, you should be dedicated to the job
and interested in learning everything there is to know about aircraft. A
well-trained assembler should be able to work on any part of an aircraft.
You
should enjoy the physical nature of the work that is sometimes involved. Unlike
the high- volume output of motor vehicle assembly, aircraft assembly demands
that you be careful and exacting in the standards you set for the work.
Producing a safe product is just as important as the need for safety in the
plant. Working around large structures, sometimes with heavy equipment, demands
responsible individuals.
You must also be able to communicate well, not only
with other assemblers, but with supervisors and engineers. Management will
encourage you to provide feedback on the aircraft being assembled as its design
is constantly being refined and improved.
Ambulance attendants include emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and first aid attendants. The are on the front lines of Canada's emergency health care system. They work with police officers, fire fighters, and hospital emergency department personnel. They're the first medical personnel on the scene when there's an accident or other medical emergency. They provide life support care to the sick and injured at the scene of the accident and transport them to hospitals or other medical facilities.
Ambulance attendants work mainly for hospitals and ambulance services. Many industrial, construction and mining companies employ first aid attendants or paramedics to care for workers who are injured or become ill on the job.
This job is physically, mentally and psychologically demanding. Shift work is a normal part of the job. Frequently, you perform your duties under crisis conditions, often in extreme situations, where there is little room for error. In such circumstances, you are making critical life-saving decisions and have to do so quickly and accurately.
You use the latest medical technology to assess the extent of an injury or illness and to manage or treat the patient's condition on their way to the hospital. You are also responsible for taking control of accident scenes in order to protect the patient and to alert other rescue personnel and public bystanders. It is essential that you communicate clearly and accurately with your co- workers, the public and the patient's families, some of whom may be very upset.
Along with the many challenges are the rewards. Ambulance attendants are well respected in the health care system, and you have the satisfaction that comes from knowing that the medical help you provide can make a difference in saving lives.
Potential employers will be impressed with you if you are reliable and cool in a crisis. You should take pride in your work and deal well with other people, especially in conditions of extreme stress. Perhaps most importantly, you need an ability to react quickly and accurately in emergency situations. And you must have a great deal of compassion for the sick and the injured.
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Announcers and broadcasters speak out to us over the radio and television airwaves, informing us of current events in our own communities and around the world. They cover sports, weather, news and community affairs. They can work for privately- owned stations or for public networks such as the CBC.
As an announcer or broadcaster, you may find yourself doing your own research and scriptwriting, even though you aren't a reporter. You gather background information from wire services, data banks, libraries and clipping services. You then prepare a script or rough notes from which you deliver your report.
You work closely with other members of the station's team. In smaller stations, you may also take on the responsibility for sales, administration or marketing.
Be prepared for stress. Deadlines are rigorous, and getting reports ready on time means a constant race against the clock. The broadcast itself can also be demanding. You are pressed to perform well, every time. This means looking after your voice and, in the case of television, your appearance. Both are essential tools of the trade.
As an announcer or broadcaster, you become a local "personality" and make personal appearances at community events. Although you may enjoy this attention, you may have to sacrifice some personal privacy. If you take this in stride, you will enjoy the work. The very nature of the job brings you into contact with all sorts of interesting people.
As an announcer or broadcaster, you are generally paid a salary; wage rates and benefits are all open for negotiation with your employer.
You should be outgoing, enthusiastic, and people-oriented. You also need good communication skills as well as the ability to project a friendly, easy-going image.
Broadcasting is a serious profession. You need the self-discipline to manage your time effectively. You also must have the analytical skills to select quickly newsworthy information from mountains of raw material.
As an announcer or broadcaster you are partly a performer. To deliver the message, you must capture an audience's attention. If you can convey mood and meaning through phrasing, improvised comments or body language, you are a "natural" for this kind of work. You also need the presence of mind to react quickly and effectively when things go wrong. To get ahead, you must be willing to learn more about your work, to take the initiative and to be creative.
Service technicians repair major appliances, such as ranges, refrigerators, washers and dryers. They assess appliance malfunctions, provide an estimate of the costs of repairs, and correct any malfunctions. Service technicians are employed in repair shops, retail repair departments, and in wholesale appliance outlets. Technicians specializing in major appliances may conduct house calls and work out of their vehicles.
As a service technician, you start by talking to customers about the problem. You then examine the appliance, conduct tests with electrical equipment, and refer to manuals to help in your diagnosis. Once the problem has been identified, you determine what parts are broken or defective, and refer to manuals to see how the problem can be fixed. You may use small hand and power tools and soldering equipment to take apart the appliance, replace or repair necessary parts, and put it all back together again.
Depending on where you work, pay in this job can take the form of a salary or an hourly wage. With larger companies, comprehensive benefit packages may also be available. Service technicians work a regular forty-hour week.
The certification you need will depend on which appliances you focus on. Major appliance servicing requires community college experience or apprenticeship training. In some cases, specialization extends to specific types of appliances, such as domestic refrigerators, microwave ovens, or washers and dryers. Appliances are always changing and unless you have an in-house training program, it's up to you to remain current on technological developments. You should be prepared to update your skills as new appliances appear on the market. Upgrading courses are available at local community colleges or through appliance companies if training is not offered by your employer.
To be successful in this business you have to build up your client base. The only way to do that is to build up your reputation.
You must be mechanically inclined to do well in this business. You should be able to understand a problem quickly, diagnose the cause and communicate your assessment clearly to the customer.
Considering that many service technicians make house calls, you should be well- groomed and good in dealing with the public. Being able to organize service runs in an efficient manner is important, especially is you cover a wide territory.
Working with electrical equipment and power tools demand that you pay attention to safety procedures, especially when working in customers' homes.
Aquaculture technicians raise and harvest fish, shellfish, crustaceans and plants in both fresh and salt water. The marine and plant life they grow are sold for food or used to replenish wildlife stocks for recreational or commercial fishing. The majority of aquaculture farms in Canada raise salmon, trout, Arctic char, crustaceans or shellfish. New species being cultivated on a pilot basis are cod, halibut, haddock, and some species of crustaceans and marine plants. Aquaculture technicians are employed by private aquaculture operations, government fish hatcheries and experimental aquatic farms. Many own and operate their own aquaculture farms.
As an aquaculture technician, you keep the aquaculture operation running and you are the first to see and respond to any problems. You raise the eggs and young fish or other types of marine life. You are responsible for feeding the stock and determining how much food is needed. You pay careful attention to the environment in which the fish or shellfish live, adjusting it when necessary. For example, a key task is to maintain optimal water quality. You check the stock for disease and apply treatments when necessary. You also collect and record growth and production data and are involved in the harvesting for distribution.
Another part of the job is to do routine cleaning and maintenance on the facility. You install, operate, maintain and clean pumps, filters and other equipment. You clean and maintain the nets used to hold the fish in the enclosures. You may scuba dive to inspect sea farm operations. You may design and construct pens, floating stations and collector strings or fences for sea farms. If you are working in an operation that sells the fish for consumption, you also slaughter, gut and prepare the fish for market.
In the course of your career, you may become manager or owner of an aquaculture operation, supervising technicians and any others working there. Managers or owners prepare the farm's production schedule and are responsible for managing the day-to- day business of the operation. They maintain financial records and establish market strategies and inventory and quality control methods. They negotiate and oversee the buying of products for the farm's operations. They also deal with government agencies and aquaculture associations, finding out about relevant government programs and the latest information relating to aquaculture.
Aquaculture technicians are paid hourly wages and managers are paid salaries.
Aquaculture technology is more than a job, it's a way of life. You may often find yourself working seven days a week. You need to be reliable, dedicated, and enthusiastic in your approach to problems. It's the kind of work you do only if you really enjoy it and are willing to dedicate yourself to it totally. You need to have an eye for detail and the common sense to recognize what the fish need. The ability to work independently is also important. As an aquaculture technician, you are given a good deal of responsibility and much of the time you are unsupervised.
Aquaculture technicians work both indoors and outside. The work can be physically demanding and includes some lifting and carrying. It is practical work that includes biotechnology, plumbing and the operation and maintenance of fairly sophisticated equipment. It is a new field and the technology is changing fairly rapidly.
To become a manager or owner, you need good administrative skills and know how to deal with people. You also need to be a good planner since it may take two to three years before you can sell the stock you raise.
Most owners and managers or aquaculture operations have worked as technicians. Those without technical training have to work hard to catch up on what they missed.
Applied chemical technicians provide technical support and assistance working in industrial chemistry, chemical engineering, chemical and biochemical research and analysis, and chemical quality control. They usually work with a team of professionals, including chemists and engineers, to improve processes and formulations of chemicals and to ensure that identification, such as the ingredients printed on a shampoo bottle, are correct. An important an expanding area for chemical technicians is environmental monitoring which is in greater demand as concern about the environment grows.
As an applied chemical technician, you can find work in the chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. You can help in research and development, quality control laboratories and consulting engineering companies. You might also find yourself working in a wide variety of resource production, manufacturing, energy, health, education and government establishments. There are numerous employment opportunities in this discipline.
In this job you may be asked to set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests and analyses. You may operate and maintain laboratory equipment and prepare solutions and samples. You may also be asked to use computers to generate data and graphics for some of the experiments. You may have to keep records for analytical studies. In some cases you may be helping to develop and conduct programs of sampling and analysis in order to maintain quality standards. You may also help to design and make devices for use in experiments. In most cases, you are a salaried employee.
This job will appeal to you if you have an analytical mind, enjoy problem-solving, and are interested in chemistry. You have to concentrate, make close observations, and carefully note and analyze chemical details. Since the field is always changing to make way for more efficient practices, you have to keep learning and updating your knowledge.
One of the satisfying aspects of this job is a strong sense of achievement. You have an opportunity to participate in projects from start to finish. As a result, at the end, you are able to see what has been done and what you have contributed.
Delivery drivers operate light trucks, vans or cars to deliver such items as food products, publications, fast food or prescription drugs. They are employed by many different kinds of businesses including grocery stores, take-out food establishments, flower shops, drug stores, bakeries, dairies, newspaper, dry cleaning establishments and vending machine companies as well as by municipal governments.
In this job, you may delivery goods to businesses, offices, warehouses, and institutions such as hospitals, or private residences. The goods you deliver may be received at loading dock area, at a reception desk or by the client in person.
As a delivery driver for a vending machine operator, you collect coins from vending, video or pinball machines and perform minor repairs as required. Coin-box collectors gather coins from telephone booths and parking meters. Mobile canteen drivers operate trucks over approved routes to sell food and beverages to customers at business establishments or construction sites. Dry cleaning drivers pick up articles from outlets and private homes, deliver them to cleaning plants and then return the items to the clients. Newspaper delivery drivers transport newspapers to news-stands or to neighbourhood locations for pick-up by newspaper carriers.
If you deal with money or other valuable commodities, you may need to be bonded. Some delivery drivers specialize in carrying dangerous goods, or goods of extreme weight. In such cases, you may require a special drivers' licence, allowing you to transport certain goods. There is some paperwork involved since you report your deliveries and the nature of the goods you are carrying.
Customer service is very important in this job. As a delivery driver, you are on the front line, representing the company you work with. Your appearance is therefore important and your attitude towards your customers must be polite and helpful.
Most delivery drivers are in constant contact with their offices. Some of the more progressive companies are installing computers in their delivery vehicles to provide direction to drivers throughout their day.
There is a good deal of mobility between the different types of jobs in this area. Delivery drivers are usually paid an hourly rate, although they may also be paid bonuses or commissions.
You will like this job if you enjoy driving and like working on your own. Employers look for conscientious people who are responsible and independent.
The challenge lies in delivering the products in a timely and efficient manner. You organize a schedule and read maps. You need a good memory to remember addresses and locations so that you don't have to waste a lot of time going over lists and maps for every delivery. A good sense of direction is essential.
You must be observant and be able to process a lot of information quickly. Finding an address and a parking place while making your way through traffic is just one part of your job. Heavy traffic can be very stressful but you have to remain calm, careful and aware of what you are doing.
You should enjoy meeting a wide variety of people. You occasionally will encounter, however, people who are difficult to deal with. The job involves more that just delivering things quickly. As a delivery driver, you are representing your company and you must be diplomatic and courteous at all times.
Dispatchers coordinate personnel and equipment activity using various types of communication. They are employed by police, public works and fire departments, the coast guard, ambulances and other emergency units, truck transport and taxi companies, delivery and courier services, warehouse establishments, service centres, and other types of companies throughout the public and private sectors.
As a dispatcher, you perform one or more of the following duties. You receive, process and transmit information and instructions to coordinate the activities of vehicle operators, crews and equipment, using telecommunications and computer-aided dispatch equipment. You dispatch personnel according to written schedules or work orders, as requested by clients, or as required by emergency situations.
Call-taking and dispatching are two distinct functions you may perform. A call-taker answers calls such as those received by a taxi company or the 911 service, takes down the relevant information and passes it on to those who actually dispatch the drivers. When taking calls, you receive requests for service, emergency assistance or general information. You may also be required to provide first-aid instruction to callers.
Dispatchers monitor the workload and location of drivers. You receive and relay information and instructions, advising drivers of traffic problems, accidents or poor weather conditions. You contact supervisors or other support or emergency personnel such as ambulance or fire departments as required. If you are an emergency medical dispatcher, you may find yourself contacting medical air transport centres to arrange air ambulance transport. As a police dispatcher, you coordinate the police activity and may contact necessary support from the fire, ambulance and public works personnel during emergencies.
As a dispatcher, you may be required to ensure that time sheets and payroll summaries are completed accurately. You may also be responsible for maintaining operator work records, keeping track of mileage, fuel use, repair and other expenses.
There is limited mobility between jobs in this occupational group because specialized knowledge from one job is not always easily transferred to another dispatching job.
Many dispatchers work shifts and they are usually paid an hourly wage.
This is a good job for articulate, intelligent people who enjoy serving other people and who have strong interpersonal skills. You must read, write and speak English, French or possibly both languages fluently. It is also important to speak clearly and calmly no matter what the situation.
You must handle stress well. You should be able to take control of a situation quickly and make the right decisions immediately. You must be able to perform several functions at once and work in a quick and independent manner. Being in good health is important, since regular attendance is vital to the proper functioning of the group of people with whom you work.
Draftsperson prepare accurate and detailed drawings for construction, engineering, manufacturing and other purposes, They are employed by architectural and engineering firms, manufacturers, surveying and mapping companies, and municipal, provincial and federal government offices.
As a draftsperson, you create technical drawings that describe the size, shape, mechanics or function of objects and structures for the use of design, production and construction teams. Although the traditional drafting tools such as boards and pencils are still used, more and more companies are now using computer-aided drafting and design (CADD), a technology which has revolutionized the field.
You prepare drawings, plans, diagrams or layouts based on notes, sketches, calculations, specification sheets and other data. These are supplied by engineers or other professionals. You operate computer-aided drafting design systems. Drawings must conform to specifications. You ensure this by using your knowledge of technical, engineering, architectural or scientific materials, practices and conventions, and by checking drawings for errors. You complete documentation packages and produce sets of drawings which are then checked by an engineer or an architect. You also work with production or construction teams, explaining or adjusting the drawings as work progresses.
You specialize in a particular industry or drafting field through both training and experience. Progress to more senior drafting and supervisory positions is possible through experience. Career opportunities exist in construction companies , architectural offices, in engineering firms, and in municipal offices. There are also new opportunities in the computer graphics industry, particularly in selling CADD systems and client support services. Freelance opportunities may also exist if your possess your own computer-aided drafting system.
Draftspersons may be paid salaries or hourly wages. Many are members of unions, depending on the company.
You will enjoy this work if you are interested in machines, building materials, engineering, architecture, the physical sciences and computers. You will do extremely well if you also have a certain artistic flair and the ability to picture and change shapes and objects in your head.
A good draftsperson is analytical, well organized, neat, interested in accurate measurements, good at details and capable of intense concentration. You also need to have certain amount of patience since a drawing may take days to complete. You must be able to work with other members of the engineering team and be able to speak and write well.
The work can be physically demanding. Sitting at a computer all day can be hard on the back and a strain on the eyes.
Further certification with provincial associations of engineering technicians and technologists, or of architectural technicians and technologists, may also be available, depending on the province.
Construction drillers operate various types of mobile drilling machines to bore foundation holes for buildings, obtain core samples from the earth for geological testing, drill holes in rock for injecting grout, and create blasting holes. Construction drillers work for construction companies or business that specialize in drilling.
A construction driller operates different tracked or truck-mounted drilling machines in order to create holes in rock and ore. For example, you could operate a percussion drill that uses a hammering action to bore blast holes or anchor holes in rock. You use this type of drill if there is not need for precise hole and no concern that the material being drilled will be damaged.
When more precision is required, you use a rotary drill, often with a diamond bit. This type of drilling is used when taking core samples for geological testing or for drilling holes for the injection of grouting materials. You also use this type of system when drilling into structures that could be damaged by the vibrations of a percussion drill.
You sometimes work on small air or hydraulic powered machines to drill smaller holes or on large diesel powered units to drill bigger, deeper holes.
The driller is responsible for driving the drill rig to the work site and setting it up. You operate controls to stabilize the machine and to position and align the drill. It's your job to fasten drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as the depth of the hole increases. You operate hand levers to control the drilling process and carefully monitor your gauges to regulate air pressure, rotary speed and downward pressure according to the type of rock being drilled. You also observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the flow of water going into the hole to flush out debris. Besides monitoring gauges, you also listen to the machine to determine the drilling conditions. The driller is also required to maintain and repair the equipment when necessary.
Your job as a driller is a very specialized one, requiring a great deal of experience to do it well. You must know the various conditions of rock or soil that you are drilling into and be able to choose the right drill for the job. Diamond drill bits are extremely expensive and a careless or inexperienced operator can cost a company thousands of dollars.
You must be in good physical condition and fairly strong to work as a driller. Drilling equipment is heavy and you will be required to do a lot of lifting when changing bits or adding rods. Since a lot of water is used in the drilling process, the job can be very muddy. It can also be very noisy, especially when you are operating a percussion drill in an underground location.
Most of the time you work outdoors, in all kinds of weather, although there are some jobs that have to be done indoors or underground. You often work in remote locations across Canada and around the world. Your may be required to stay away from home for long periods of time.
Your work can be varied and interesting. Each drilling job has its own unique requirements and set of problems. You often work without supervision and must solve problems on your own, using your skill and experience to find the most productive and efficient way of getting the job done.
Drillers can be paid by the hour or by the foot drilled. In exploratory drilling, a driller may be paid by the hour plus a production bonus so that the deeper you drill, the more money you make.
If you enjoy working outdoors, in a variety of locations, this could be a good job for you. You should be the type of person who likes change and doesn't mind spending periods of time away from home.
Drillers must have good mechanical abilities, since you may be required to make your own repairs in remote areas. You must also be self-reliant and dependable. Much of the time you are working without supervision. Your company is depending on you to solve problems and get the job done safely and on time.
Educational assistants work with students who may be visually or hearing impaired or suffer from other physical, mental or sensory disabilities. Working at either the elementary or secondary school levels, they help students cope in the classroom. Also known as teacher assistants, they may be assigned to work with one particular child, with a group of children within one classroom, or several students throughout the school. Educational assistants commonly work for school boards but are also found in special treatment centres where educational programs are offered. They work under the direction of a teacher or principal.
As an educational assistant, you provide extra support to the children who need it. This might involve helping a child with a physical disability get dressed to go outside, or it might mean repeating what the teacher says in sign language. You do whatever is necessary to help the child learn. This includes the use of alternate teaching methods for those students who might benefit from them.
The daily activities of an educational assistant are varied. You supervise the students in the classroom, in the school yard and on field trips.
In the present school system, educational assistants work on contracts that extend for ten months of the year while teachers are paid an annual salary. In some cases, educational assistants have their own labour union which new employees are obligated to join. Language requirements depend on the school board.
Some training is conducted on the job, under the instruction of the teacher responsible for the class, a special education teacher or other consultant. Increasingly, however, school boards prefer to hire trained assistants. Additional training is given on professional development days and other special in-house training days.
You will enjoy working as an educational assistant if you are genuinely committed to helping children learn. You must understand and be sensitive to the obstacles facing the children in your care.
You will need a broad background to feel comfortable as an educational assistant, including knowledge of child development as well as some teaching experience. Special skills, such as sign language, or fluency in other languages, are also useful, depending on the type of client and place of work.
Another challenge of this occupation is assisting children who have serious behaviour problems. Your preparation in this area should be thorough. Experience in non-violent crisis intervention is also an asset.
You must be a team player who accepts the direction of the teacher in the classroom, or the instructions of other professionals responsible for the particular child or children under your care. Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential as are energy and enthusiasm for the job.
This is sometimes a physically demanding job. For example, working with disabled children often involves moving and lifting them.
Electronics assemblers and fabricators assemble and fabricate electronic equipment, parts and components. They are employed in electronic manufacturing plants that produce such products as telephone sets and switching equipment, computer equipment and systems, radar detection devices, electronic controls and systems, and various communication devices.
As an electronic assembler, you work from specified drawings to solder and manually assemble electronic components onto circuit boards. Initially, you place the components on the board by hand and proceed to prepare the circuit board.
Preparing a circuit board may require different types of assembly. Some assembly work may demand working with automatic and semi-automatic machines to position and solder components onto circuit boards. Most assembly work involves working with small power or hand tools. Once your acquire experience, you may also be expected to inspect and test your own work and identify any defects.
Electronics manufacturers are demanding higher qualifications as the electronics field expands. Certification in electronic assembly is available at the college level. This certificate course offers you a range of experience with the various techniques of electronics assembly.
Training for this position is split between formal classroom time and on-the-job experience. Courses in soldering techniques and component identification are vital to any electronics assembly job and are specific to an individual manufacturer's standards. Other courses taught include static control and safety. In addition, new product training is an ongoing element of this business.
Some manufacturers may prefer to hire you directly from high school and train you in the company's standards, procedures and products.
Pay in this job is based on an hourly wage. Though most manufacturers work a regular day, some businesses may demand shift work.
Since the work requires precision, you should have good eye-hand coordination and be able to concentrate for long periods of time. Though the work may be repetitive, you should be able to pay attention to detail and meet production deadlines. Since many of the components used in the assembly work are identified by colour, you must be able to distinguish between colours.
As companies develop more of a team-oriented approach to this work, you must be able to communicate with other members of your team. You also should be safety-conscious and well- groomed, especially since you are working with fine components.
Educational assistants work with students who may be visually or hearing impaired or suffer from other physical, mental or sensory disabilities. Working at either the elementary or secondary school levels, they help students cope in the classroom. Also known as teacher assistants, they may be assigned to work with one particular child, with a group of children within one classroom, or several students throughout the school. Educational assistants commonly work for school boards but are also found in special treatment centres where educational programs are offered. They work under the direction of a teacher or principal.
As an educational assistant, you provide extra support to the children who need it. This might involve helping a child with a physical disability get dressed to go outside, or it might mean repeating what the teacher says in sign language. You do whatever is necessary to help the child learn. This includes the use of alternate teaching methods for those students who might benefit from them.
The daily activities of an educational assistant are varied. You supervise the students in the classroom, in the school yard and on field trips.
In the present school system, educational assistants work on contracts that extend for ten months of the year while teachers are paid an annual salary. In some cases, educational assistants have their own labour union which new employees are obligated to join. Language requirements depend on the school board.
Some training is conducted on the job, under the instruction of the teacher responsible for the class, a special education teacher or other consultant. Increasingly, however, school boards prefer to hire trained assistants. Additional training is given on professional development days and other special in-house training days.
You will enjoy working as an educational assistant if you are genuinely committed to helping children learn. You must understand and be sensitive to the obstacles facing the children in your care.
You will need a broad background to feel comfortable as an educational assistant, including knowledge of child development as well as some teaching experience. Special skills, such as sign language, or fluency in other languages, are also useful, depending on the type of client and place of work.
Another challenge of this occupation is assisting children who have serious behaviour problems. Your preparation in this area should be thorough. Experience in non-violent crisis intervention is also an asset.
You must be a team player who accepts the direction of the teacher in the classroom, or the instructions of other professionals responsible for the particular child or children under your care. Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential as are energy and enthusiasm for the job.
This is sometimes a physically demanding job. For example, working with disabled children often involves moving and lifting them.
Electronics assemblers and fabricators assemble and fabricate electronic equipment, parts and components. They are employed in electronic manufacturing plants that produce such products as telephone sets and switching equipment, computer equipment and systems, radar detection devices, electronic controls and systems, and various communication devices.
As an electronic assembler, you work from specified drawings to solder and manually assemble electronic components onto circuit boards. Initially, you place the components on the board by hand and proceed to prepare the circuit board.
Preparing a circuit board may require different types of assembly. Some assembly work may demand working with automatic and semi-automatic machines to position and solder components onto circuit boards. Most assembly work involves working with small power or hand tools. Once your acquire experience, you may also be expected to inspect and test your own work and identify any defects.
Electronics manufacturers are demanding higher qualifications as the electronics field expands. Certification in electronic assembly is available at the college level. This certificate course offers you a range of experience with the various techniques of electronics assembly.
Training for this position is split between formal classroom time and on-the-job experience. Courses in soldering techniques and component identification are vital to any electronics assembly job and are specific to an individual manufacturer's standards. Other courses taught include static control and safety. In addition, new product training is an ongoing element of this business.
Some manufacturers may prefer to hire you directly from high school and train you in the company's standards, procedures and products.
Pay in this job is based on an hourly wage. Though most manufacturers work a regular day, some businesses may demand shift work.
Since the work requires precision, you should have good eye-hand coordination and be able to concentrate for long periods of time. Though the work may be repetitive, you should be able to pay attention to detail and meet production deadlines. Since many of the components used in the assembly work are identified by colour, you must be able to distinguish between colours.
As companies develop more of a team-oriented approach to this work, you must be able to communicate with other members of your team. You also should be safety-conscious and well- groomed, especially since you are working with fine components.
Electronic equipment service technicians are employed by electronic service companies, retail and wholesale distributors and the service departments of electronic manufacturers. They install, troubleshoot, maintain and repair a variety of household and business equipment such as televisions, radios, video cassette recorders, stereos, photocopiers, and computers. Due to the increasing complexity of electronic technology, most technicians specialize in a particular type of equipment.
There will always be plenty of work for those who service and repair the electronic equipment used in homes and businesses. After all, everything is electronic in today's world.
You may find yourself working in a fully equipped shop to which items are brought for service or you may go out to the customer's home or office. If you call on customers you have to rely heavily on your knowledge and skills to solve the problem since you can only bring a limited set of tools with you.
You are usually paid an hourly wage, though it is possible to paid a salary. Some companies pay you a bonus based on the number of calls you complete.
You will enjoy this job if you like hands-on work in electronics. To do it well, you have to be a logical thinker who enjoys problem-solving and you need to be a stickler for detail. It's a constantly changing field, so your have to update your knowledge and skills regularly, often on your own.
When it comes to making service calls, your people skills are extremely important. You have vital role to play in establishing a positive company image since you may be the only one who deals with the customers.
Electronic business equipment such as photocopiers can be very heavy, so if you service office equipment you need to be strong enough to move it. When working with some types of equipment, you need a good sense of hearing and the ability to recognize small differences in colour to be an effective troubleshooter.
* The Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists
285 McLeod
Street
Second Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1A1
Tel. (613) 238-8123
Electronic equipment service technicians are employed by electronic service companies, retail and wholesale distributors and the service departments of electronic manufacturers. They install, troubleshoot, maintain and repair a variety of household and business equipment such as televisions, radios, video cassette recorders, stereos, photocopiers, and computers. Due to the increasing complexity of electronic technology, most technicians specialize in a particular type of equipment.
There will always be plenty of work for those who service and repair the electronic equipment used in homes and businesses. After all, everything is electronic in today's world.
You may find yourself working in a fully equipped shop to which items are brought for service or you may go out to the customer's home or office. If you call on customers you have to rely heavily on your knowledge and skills to solve the problem since you can only bring a limited set of tools with you.
You are usually paid an hourly wage, though it is possible to paid a salary. Some companies pay you a bonus based on the number of calls you complete.
You will enjoy this job if you like hands-on work in electronics. To do it well, you have to be a logical thinker who enjoys problem-solving and you need to be a stickler for detail. It's a constantly changing field, so your have to update your knowledge and skills regularly, often on your own.
When it comes to making service calls, your people skills are extremely important. You have vital role to play in establishing a positive company image since you may be the only one who deals with the customers.
Electronic business equipment such as photocopiers can be very heavy, so if you service office equipment you need to be strong enough to move it. When working with some types of equipment, you need a good sense of hearing and the ability to recognize small differences in colour to be an effective troubleshooter.
* The Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists
285 McLeod
Street
Second Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1A1
Tel. (613) 238-8123
Elevator constructors and mechanics assemble and install escalators and elevators. Their work may involve electric or hydraulic elevators, installations to carry freight or passengers, or moving walkways and similar types of equipment. They are employed by companies specializing in elevator construction and maintenance.
The job consists of setting the rails, building the cab form and installing elevator control mechanisms and other related equipment. You begin by studying the plans to determine the layout of the installation. You then install the hoisting machinery and equipment, counterweights, car platforms and the elevator or escalator chassis. The next step is to build the elevator car frame using hand and power tools. This, in turn, is attached by cable to the counterweight. Finally, you install the control system and all related wiring and test its operation. If you encounter any problems along the way, you must either repair or remove the defective parts.
Maintenance and repair work is a major part of your duties. You must keep an up-to-date log book detailing all repairs and checks done on an elevator so that anyone who works on that elevator knows what has been done and what problems may recur. Maintenance and repair assignments also require frequent contact with the public. Establishing a good professional relationship with your regular clients is very important.
Virtually all elevator mechanics are members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) which determines working conditions and salaries on behalf of its membership.
You must be able to read and understand blueprints and technical specifications. You should also be able to follow written instructions. Although a number of electronic devices help monitor speeds, weights or heights, you must still be capable of doing similar calculations on your own. In addition, you must keep the maintenance log books for each elevator absolutely clear and understandable.
Some of the greatest demands will be physical. The equipment is heavy and often difficult to handle and you must be physically fit in order to do the work. Once the elevator is set up and ready to function, you must carefully test its operation using various meters and gauges.
You may be on call and must be ready to respond at a moment's notice. This is what makes the job interesting. There is a lot of variety to the work. Every job is different even though some of it may only involve lubrication and greasing. Your services are essential to the functioning of offices and apartment buildings and you can take pleasure in being of service to the public.
You will enjoy this job if you are mechanically inclined and understand the way machines work. You will do well at it if you are methodical, industrious and willing to work hard for long periods of time. You must be extremely safety conscious both on the work site and with regard to the people using the elevators you service. You cannot take any risks or overlook any details. If a problem occurs, it must be dealt with as quickly as possible.
Mechanical skills are not enough. You must also be people-oriented. Good interpersonal and communication skills are important in maintaining relations with your fellow crew-members and with members of other trades. It is vital that you maintain good relationships with your clients since customer service is a critical part of the job.
There are specialized courses offered by the union and the elevator industry. This apprenticeship training usually lasts four to five years.
Employment counsellors help people to find work that is best suited to their needs, skills and interests. As a career counsellor, you might find yourself working in a Canada Employment Centre or government social agency. You might also work in a high school, college, university or for a large company experiencing lay-offs and reorganization. Employment counselling is a growing field with plenty of new opportunities.
Employment counsellors provide information on educational and other entry requirements to various jobs. They assist their clients with the job search process, the resumé writing, and job interviews. They also advise people on training programs. They use assessment tools such as interest inventories and general aptitude tests to find out about the abilities and interests of the people they help.
You can specialize and work with groups such as youth, the disabled, or residents of correctional institutes. You might even work for an insurance company encouraging injured workers to return to the workforce once their injuries have healed. Some employment counsellors have successfully opened their own consulting or guidance businesses.
Employment counsellors are normally paid a salary. Language requirements vary according to the people you serve.
You will thrive in this position if you enjoy working with and helping other people. You should be open and highly motivated. Since most of your time is spent working one-on-one with your clients, you must be comfortable dealing with all types of people.
This job requires exceptional communication skills, strong analytical and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to be persuasive. You work with your clients to help them to determine realistic goals, and then encourage them to plan how to achieve these goals. You also need to be creative in finding ways around barriers to employment. Employment counselling is challenging yet very rewarding.
You must be well organized to keep up with the vast amount of information on educational and training opportunities, financial assistance, as well as government and social programs. You also need to keep detailed records on each client. You may also need to keep detailed records on each client. You may be required to work closely with social or government agencies that refer people to you. Also, you may find yourself working with local businesses to set up job placements.
Most of those working in the field have a college diploma or bachelor's degree in the social sciences or social work.
Environmental technicians are technical support people who investigate, assess and monitor pollution levels in the air, water, and soil. They are sometimes referred to as pollution control technicians, if they work in waste-water treatment. They are employed by large industrial companies, environmental consultants, and provincial and federal government departments.
As an environmental technician, you can specialize in performing either air, water or soil analysis. The analysis combines elements of agriculture, biology, chemistry, meteorology and engineering.
You must first decide where you are going to take your samples. For example, you may gather gas samples from ventilation systems and smokestacks, or you may collect polluted seawater or industrial waste-water from lakes and streams located near factories. You may also set up equipment in the field to monitor changes in the environment.
Your next step is to analyse the substances and data you have collected. Your goal is to determine the characteristics of the substances and what pollutants they contain. Some of these tests may be conducted in the field using portable equipment, but most are done in laboratories. As an environmental technician, you earn an hourly wage.
This job will interest you if you are resourceful, inquisitive and familiar with environmental problems and the related regulations. A lot of what you do involves working with instruments and equipment. Consequently, you need to hae good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. You also need to know how to use various sensitive instruments.
Many aspects of this work, such as digging, climbing, or wading through water to gather samples, may be physically challenging. Exposure to unpleasant smells and to potentially dangerous substances are also often part of the job.
Environmental technicians must enjoy studying the natural and applied sciences. Since many of the reports you prepare require statistical analysis, you need at least a modest aptitude for mathematics and computers. The ability to communicate well with other technicians, engineers and scientists and with the general public is also essential. If you develop managerial skills you may eventually supervise other technicians.
The two-year college programs tend to focus on the practical, while the additional third year focuses on analysis and interpretation. Graduates from three-year programs tend to find jobs faster than those with only two years since they have a broader selection of jobs to choose from. They also tend to be promoted more quickly. A broad understanding of various types of air, water and soil pollution and the willingness to relocate will also enhance employment prospects.
Executive assistants coordinate administrative procedures, public relations, research and analysis for members of legislative assemblies, government ministers, deputy ministers, corporate executives, committees and boards of directors. They are employed in governments, private corporations and associations.
Corporations are using executive assistants far less than they once did because of the current need to cut down on staff. However, executive assistants still play a valuable role assisting members of the federal and provincial parliaments and senior managers within the government.
As an executive assistant, you support your employer's activities. Your duties vary widely depending on your own experience and expertise, and the responsibilities and specific interests of your employer.
Executive assistants are a source of information and advice. You ensure that the information your boss receives is timely, accurate, and relevant. You review incoming mail and prepare outgoing correspondence. You must read through and analyse incoming memoranda, submissions and reports quickly. You also coordinate the preparation, production and submission of summary reports on a range of issues of importance to your boss.
As executive assistant, you often decide who gets to see your employer. You set up meetings and prepare the agenda. You may also find yourself meeting with officials, private individuals, or special interest groups to explore issues, and assess and recommend various courses of action. If you are at a senior level, you establish, coordinate and modify administrative policies and procedures for your employer's office.
Executive assistants may start working for lower level managers or junior members of legislative assemblies and work their way up to positions with deputy ministers and ministers.
Essentially, you need to be available when your employer is available. As senior managers and members tend to work long hours, you will also be expected to work long hours, evenings and weekends. Executive assistants are paid annual salaries.
You do the leg work for your employer, so you need to be outgoing, affable and able to work well with others. The key to success in your job is understanding human nature and how to obtain cooperation.
You should be articulate and possess good writing and editing skills. It's fascinating, high pressured and time consuming work. To do a good job, you must be conscientious, flexible and committed.
You need to be trustworthy and loyal, but you also hae to be able to think for yourself, providing your employer with additional insights on any issue. You also need to be assertive. Because many people may want to meet with your employer, you hae to be able to say no.
Employers look for people who have a real interest nd knowledge of the area in which they are applying to work. For example, if you are applying for work as an assistant to a member of parliament, you should have a good knowledge of current Canadian and international events, and a familiarity with Parliamentary procedures. Involvement in political activities would also be an asset.
Fashion buyers purchase women's, men's and children's clothing for retail and wholesale companies. They buy lingerie, footwear or fashion accessories, such as jewellery. Fashion buyers are also responsible for the merchandising operations of retail establishments. They are employed by department stores, retail chains, independently-owned stores, and wholesale distributors.
As a fashion buyer, you are usually responsible for all the purchasing in a particular department of the company for which you work, within a specified budget. You develop a buying plan that takes into consideration the department's customers, fashion trends, potential suppliers and prices. You are responsible for making sure that the department's sales and profit goals are met.
You keep abreast of current trends and styles by analysing market reports, talking to consultants, and attending fashion shows, and keeping in close touch with your customers. You identify and develop the fashion themes and items for each season.
You maintain contacts with suppliers, negotiating prices, payment and delivery. You ensure that order invoices are completed appropriately and oversee the distribution of merchandise to ensure adequate stock levels.
You are also responsible for how the clothing is displayed. You decide on the decor, signs, special lighting and fixtures such as stands, shelves and mannequins. You work with the managers and sales people in the store, explaining the reasons behind the fashions and colours that hae been chosen.
In some companies, you may be responsible for advertising. You decide on what should be featured, the medium to be used, and when the ads should be run. You then present the package to the people in the advertising department for their implementation.
You are paid a salary which may include a yearly bonus based on your sales performance. Progress into more senior buying positions or in other parts of management is possible with experience. As soon as an opening comes up, you become a floor manager for two to five years, then an assistant buyer. If you are especially entrepreneurial, you may eventually wish to open your own store.
You will find this job exciting if you love beautiful clothing. You will do well if you are a decisive and highly organized person who wants to live a challenging and fast-paced life. The work is suited to confident, outgoing people. You must feel comfortable negotiating with suppliers, dealing with staff in the stores and solving problems. You must be prepared to do a lot of travelling both inside Canada and internationally.
The work calls for taste, creativity and a good eye for colour and coordination. The merchandise you select has to match and reflect the store's fashion preference. At the same time, you need to be analytical, well organized and good at basic arithmetic. Computer abilities are an important asset. The job also requires a high degree of honesty and integrity. You cannot accept gifts from suppliers since your primary responsibility is to do the best for your own employer.
People in this profession work on fishing boats that catch fish and other marine life. They work for companies, for others who are self-employed, or they may own and operate their own fishing vessels.
An important part of this job is to prepare nets, lines and other fishing tackle, and operate the fishing gear needed to catch marine life. You clean, sort and pack fish in ice and store it in the hold. You repair nets, splice ropes and maintain fishing gear and other deck equipment. Other responsibilities include cleaning the deck surfaces and the fish hold, and handling mooring lines during docking. You may also prepare and cook meals for crew members.
If you are the skipper, you decide where your boat will fish and plot a course to get there using navigational instruments. You direct fishing operations and supervise deckhands. You also record all fishing activities, as well as the weather and sea conditions. A key task is to estimate the costs of operations and plan the budget for each fishing season. You establish a plan for marketing the catch and keep records of all financial transactions. You may transport fish to processing plants for fish buyers. On the larger boats, the skippers have a crew to help them; on the smaller boats, the skippers may do everything themselves.
The working conditions in the fishing industry can be quite rough. Crew quarters on most fishing vessels are cramped, and you need physical stamina to work the fishing lines and traps for many hours a day.
As a skipper, you have the added responsibility of making enough money to support your crew, your own family, and of ensuring that your boat is always in good repair.
This job will appeal to you if you enjoy physically demanding work on the open water in all types of weather. You have to be prepared to travel and spend time away from home. If you are a member of the crew, you should be able to follow directions quickly and accurately. To do well, you need to be interested in working with details, processes, machines, and techniques.
Like any independent entrepreneur, skippers need to be self-starters. In this position you need leadership ability, good communication skills and an interest in the workings of the fishing industry. You need to be decisive in the face of extreme conditions and able to handle stress. You also need some mathematical skills, good visual perception and the ability to work with your hands.
Traditionally, there have been no specific educational or training requirements for those who want to fish professionally. The industry, however, is becoming increasingly sophisticated. The best way to get into it is to work on a fishing boat for a year or two. If you find that you are interested in pursuing this career further, there are all sorts of courses you can take in the off season to develop your skills.
Fish and fish products inspectors make sure that fish and fish products conform to production, storage and transportation standards set by federal and provincial governments. They are employed in federal and provincial government departments and in private sector businesses such as fish processing plants.
In this line of work you visit fish and fish product plants, warehouses, public storage freezers, and shellfish farming operations to make sure that they are well constructed and clean, and that work practices are hygienic. For example, your ensure that workers wear hair nets and that no one has a communicable disease. Each factory also employs its own inspector who makes sure that the rules are followed and that the appropriate records are kept. The government inspectors work with them, sharing their knowledge and passing on the latest technological developments.
Inspectors test the fish and fish products by tasting them. They also take samples of the products, ingredients and water and test them at the lab for bacteria, dangerous chemicals, excessive salt, or illegal food additives and preservatives. In some offices, it's the inspectors who do the lab work. In others, it's done by lab specialists.
You also carry out spot checks on imported fish and fish products. It there's something wrong, the company responsible is then put on a mandatory inspection list which means their products must be cleared before they can be distributed in Canada. Mandatory inspections continue until the company's products pass four consecutive inspections.
Federal fish inspectors belong to one of two unions: the Public Institutional and Professional Scientists or the Public Service Association of Canada. Provincial fish and fish products inspectors belong to unions for provincial government employees. Fish inspectors are paid annual salaries.
This job will appeal to you if you have an interest in the sciences, especially applied chemistry and microbiology. You will enjoy it if you like working with others and meeting new people. You need to be diplomatic and yet persistent in applying the regulations since your decision may cost someone a lot of money.
Inspectors are always studying the latest techniques and technologies in fish and fish products processing and packaging. To be a good inspector, you have to be very knowledgeable and observant. You must be able to tell if the employees in a plant are actually following the rules consistently, or have cleaned up the plant simply for your inspection. This ability comes with experience.
Fish and fish products inspectors must also be able to develop a fine sense of taste and smell, because each inspection is based on their assessment of the product's flavour and odour.
Floor covering installers lay down carpet or resilient floor coverings in homes, offices and industrial, commercial or institutional buildings. They work with anything from plush, colourful weaves for private residences to industrial strength coverings for factories and offices. Resilient floor coverings include hard substances such as vinyl, wood, ceramics, cork or linoleum. Many installers specialize in one form of covering and focus on a single type of market. Some installers are self-employed while others work for construction companies, floor covering sub-contractors and carpet outlets. Salaries vary considerably from region to region and from company to company.
Before laying down any covering, you inspect, measure and clean the surfaces to be covered. If necessary, irregularities are sanded down and holes filled in. You then mark out the lines and patterns to be followed. You cut out the floor covering material according to the dimensions specified by the plans or the client's instructions. In some cases, there is an under padding of some kind to which the floor covering is attached, and this is cut out first. In the case of carpeting, you fasten different sections together using a stitcher, a seaming iron or bonding tape. The carpet is then shifted and stretched into position and tacked into place.
There are many different ways of installing resilient floor coverings. Generally you glue them to a foundation material, following a pre-determined pattern. Some of these floor covering materials are designed to be purely decorative. Others have more specialized purposes, such as to deaden sound, to absorb shocks or to create air-tight environments.
In this job, you must be ready to do a lot of bending and kneeling. You should also be prepared to carry heavy loads, such as rolled up carpeting, tools, tiling, planks and so on. Apart from that, the work is not physically demanding. There are, however, some intellectual challenges since you must be able to calculate the amount of material you need. You must plan each cut or layout very carefully so as not to waste material.
You have to deal with certain job-related problems and hazards. Some of the materials used can be dangerous as are some of the tools used to apply them. The fumes from various kinds of glue, fibres from certain types of carpet, and dust from patching and priming mixtures are all potential health hazards. You may, therefore, have to wear protective clothing and a respirator.
You find yourself often dealing with architects or contractors to obtain materials, solve technical problems or resolve scheduling conflicts. You are accountable for the materials used and the hours worked. Whether you are an independent operator or an employee, you must keep a careful record of your work.
One of the major attractions of this job is that it involves putting the finishing touches on a construction project. In addition, the trade is expanding into challenging new areas such as plastics and other synthetic materials. New specialty areas are emerging, such as plastic welding techniques that completely enclose rooms to make them air-tight and germ-free. These techniques are used in hospital operating rooms and in special laboratory storage rooms. You may also expand your skills to include covering walls and ceilings as well as floors.
To do well in this job you need to be serious and self-disciplined. Employers and clients expect you to have the ability to focus on every job. Since many of the coverings are very expensive and require great care in cutting and shaping, employers look for installers who are careful and methodical workers. You also need to be a good planner and understand how to manage time. Aside from being physically fit, you need good hand and eye coordination. You should also be able to work as part of a team which requires good communication and interpersonal skills.
Flight attendants greet passengers, serve food and beverages, and provide any other services required to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers during an aeroplane or helicopter flight. They are employed by airline companies.
Though your role as a flight attendant is service-oriented, safety precautions are of primary concern. Prior to each flight, you check all emergency equipment, confirm that all the necessary supplies are stocked in the service area and on food carts, survey the cabin of the aircraft for any problems and conduct a pre-flight briefing with the rest of the crew.
Once passengers have been boarded, you are responsible for demonstrating emergency procedures before take-off. Once in the air, you serve food and beverages to passengers and provide other in-flight services, such as offering blankets, earphones, and movies to ensure the passengers' comfort. Upon reaching the destination, you help passengers disembark.
Pay for this position is based on an hourly rate. You work a minimum number of hours a month and there is usually a maximum number of hours beyond which you are not allowed to work for safety reasons; these limits are set by the airline. You also receive a benefits package with your job.
Training for this position is demanding and the standards are exacting. Airlines provide their own formal training period lasting approximately six weeks during which you will learn everything about the job. Most of the training period is dedicated to safety issues. You learn how to conduct emergency procedures, use emergency equipment, and administer aviation medical procedures. You are required to achieve high standards on any testing offered during this period. Emergency training is an ongoing element in a flight attendant's job and it is expected that you will keep up with any changes in standards.
Also taught during this period are first-aid courses, customs and immigration procedures, and how to address the public. As well, you become familiar with the food-service aspect of the job and with other elements of customer service.
For most air carriers in Canada, bilingualism is a distinct advantage. With experience, you may be given a choice of which routes you want to fly and which times you prefer to work. If you are successful in the job, you may even move into a supervisory role.
More than anything, you have to get along with all types of people. Serving passengers in an environment such as an aeroplane can be demanding work. You must be able to cater to all needs with patience and efficiency. Working in conjunction with other flight attendants, you need a team-oriented approach. On the other hand, you still need the initiative to work independently and the organizational skills to complete your work in a timely fashion. Being presentable is a must.
It is important for you to show confidence in your work. In an emergency, passengers will look to you for help and guidance. At such times, you have to be able to respond promptly and communicate clearly.
Food and beverage processing workers perform a variety of duties in a plant. The processing of the food or drink itself is done automatically by different machines. However, abut half of the tasks to e completed by the processing worker are manual in nature. Processing workers are found in all food in all food and beverage processing plants including dairies, bakeries and breweries.
Typically, in a food or beverage processing plant, cartons of product must be loaded on and off rolling racks or conveyor systems and then stored for delivery. Raw materials need to be brought to where they are loaded into the machines. Often, you must first pack the product into boxes or bag before it can be moved anywhere.
Apart from these material handling roles, you are also responsible for keeping your work area clean. This is important for reasons of safety and hygiene. In addition, you also participate in quality control by conducting visual or weight checks at key points along the production line.
You are taught how to change settings such as temperature and tension on the equipment, and are expected to make these minor types of adjustments when necessary. In some cases, you are responsible for maintaining and cleaning the equipment you work with.
Processing workers are trained on the job. During the training period, which typically lasts for several weeks, you acquire all the skills necessary to do a good job. You are paid hourly wages and, in some plants, you must join the union within 60 days of starting to work.
Employers are looking for team players who work well with others. You must be dependable and committed to the job. Also, many food processing establishments operate in the evenings and on weekends, and new employees must be prepared to start out working these shifts. Most importantly, employers are seeking to hire those who display a willingness to work and to learn on the job.
The work is physically demanding. You need to be strong enough and agile enough to move in and around the conveyors and other equipment. Even though lifting aids such as forklifts are used to move the finished product and materials, much of the work is done with physical strength. Sometimes, you must be able to lift bundles of 15 kilograms or more. In some environments, workers wear hearing protection because of high noise levels.
Forest technicians perform technical and supervisory functions in forest research, the management of forest lands, and activities related to forest conservation and protection. They are employed primarily by federal and provincial governments and by private companies in the forestry industry.
As a forest technician, you conduct and supervise forest inventory cruises, survey s and field measurements following accepted scientific and operational procedures. You prepare or assist in the preparation of forest management and harvest plans using photogrammetric and mapping techniques. You may plan and supervise construction of access routes and forest roads. You might also implement and supervise operations involving site preparation, planting and nurturing of young trees. Finally, you may plan and supervise forest harvesting operations.
If you work for the government, you monitor the activities of logging companies and contractors, and enforce regulations such as those concerning environmental protection, the use of forest resources and fire safety. You could supervise tree nursery operations. You might also provide technical support to forestry research programs in areas such as tree improvement, seed orchard operations or experimental forestry research.
You are likely to work under the direction of a senior forester or forestry scientist. You are normally paid a monthly salary.
You can use your position as a forest technician as a stepping stone to occupations in natural resource and wildlife management or parks management.
Forest technicians engage in active, often vigorous work and share concern for the natural environment. You often work independently. Thought you frequently work alone, you must also be able to work as part of a team made up of foresters, scientists, loggers and administrators in government and the private sector. The reports you write require good written and verbal communication skills.
Computers and computer systems are considered to e important tools in modern forest management. Computerized geographical information systems are used especially in the mapping of forests. You should enjoy and have some aptitude for the sciences, mathematics and computers.
There are professional associations in each province affiliated with the Canadian Council of Technologists and Technicians. Although membership is voluntary, it is strongly recommended.
The better educated you are in the sciences, in research methods and in statistical analysis, The better chance you have of being hired. Summer work related to research and reforestation may also improve your chances. Work in this area is often seasonal.
Foundry workers are involved in making metal castings for a variety of items including automobile, aircraft and other machine parts, agricultural tools, electrical components, train wheels and ship propellers. They are employed in metal casting facilities referred to as foundries.
To create a metal casting, you place a pattern, an exact model of the finished metal casting, in a moulding box and then pack or press sand around the pattern. You remove the pattern from the mould and then pour molten metal into the mould to produce a metal casting.
If you are a manual mould maker, you make the sand moulds by hand. As a machine mould maker, you set up, adjust and operate various machines that shape sand moulds. The molten metal is hand ladled into the mould or it is poured by a machine.
Cores are placed inside the moulds to form the hollow spaces in the finished metal castings. You can make the cores by packing sand, coated with a binder, into coreboxes. The cores are then sometimes coated with protective materials and baked. You can also make the cores on a machine, by setting up, adjusting and operating various pieces of equipment during the process.
Die casters operate machines that use permanent metal moulds in order to make a large number of castings. In this job, you select and melt the metals, set up the dies used to create the castings, pour the molten metal, and produce a casting.
Other related positions include melters who operate furnaces that melt the metal used in the casting process; chippers and grinders who finish castings by removing excess metal with pneumatic hammers and power abrasive wheels; and furnace operators who control the furnaces in which casting are heated to harden them or otherwise improve their physical properties.
There is some mobility between jobs in this occupational group. Mobility between employers, however, is limited. Many collective agreements or company policies require new employees to start at entry level positions so transfers from another company are not encouraged. With experience and the right skills, you can advance into positions such as castings inspector, department supervisor, technical advisor, cost estimator, designer or plant supervisor. Most foundry workers belong to unions, and are paid an hourly wage.
You will enjoy this job if you prefer working with machinery and tools. Employers look for steady, alert workers who are team players and who follow instructions. An inquisitive mind that enables you to learn on the job is a definite asset. The best foundry workers are dedicate workers.
This is a large field with many opportunities for training and advancement. For example, die- casting is a little more skilled and little cleaner than other metal-casting positions.
The work is hard and foundries can be noisy, dirty places. They are often hot, especially near the melting units. Manufacturers are eliminating, however, many of these discomforts with improved ventilation systems and air conditioning.
The injury rate is higher in foundries than in other manufacturing industries, but improved safety practices are making jobs in this area safer. Generally, coremaking and moulding are the least dangerous jobs, while melting and finishing have the highest accident rates. Safety plays an essential role in foundry work. If you keep your mind on safety, you should not have an accident.
To be a foundry worker, you need to be in good health with average physical strength, good eye- hand coordination and some manual dexterity. Avoid this work if you have respiratory, heart or back problems.
* The American Foundrymen's Society
505 State Street
Des Plaines,
IL, USA 60016
Tel. (708) 824-0181
Power linepersons build and repair overhead and underground power lines used to conduct electricity from generating plants to consumers. Linepersons are employed by electric companies and other utilities. In some companies, they are known as powerline maintainers. Generally, they are paid an hourly wage
As a power lineperson, you erect and maintain poles and towers. You will work with overhead and underground power lines and cables, insulators, conductors, lightning arrestors, switches, transformers and other associated equipment. You splice, solder and insulate conductors and wiring. You inspect and test overhead and underground power lines, cables and auxiliary equipment, using electrical test equipment. You also install and inspect street lighting systems.
This is a physically challenging work that will appeal to you if you love the outdoors. Often you are called on to locate and fix damaged lines late at night, during a storm, or in the middle of a blizzard.
You use hydraulic buckets to work high up on a pole or a tower. You have to do a lot of climbing where you may have to pull heavy equipment up after yourself. There are times when you work in confined spaces, such as trenches and tunnels. You may also get to do a lot of travelling, especially if you work for a large company.
The job can be dangerous. Sometimes you will be working with live lines that may be transmitting as much as five hundred thousand volts. You have to be alert. You also have to be able to think for yourself and work with others as a team.
Physical fitness is an asset. A summer job that will get you used to the outdoors and physical work will help you prepare for this job.
Plastics processing machine operators set up and operate machines that mix, press and mould plastics into products. Your first step on the job is to load the machines with the materials to be moulded, mixed or pressed. You may sit by the conveyor and assemble or pack products into containers. You also unload the finished product from conveyor belts and place it in the warehouse.
An important part of your job is to check for defects through visual and weight checks. These quality control duties are done at various points in the production process. Other monitoring responsibilities include making sure that the temperature and pressure of the equipment is correct. Your responsibilities may include keeping the machines clean and in a good state of repair.
Statistical control process equipment is used in some plants and makes the machine operator's job much easier. In the future, more and more plastics processing plants will be using this type of equipment.
Plastics processing machine operators are paid on an hourly basis. Some plants are unionized and new employees must join the union within 60 days of starting work.
Employees are looking for people who are team players and who enjoy working with others. You must be dependable and willing to do a good job. You must especially be able to stay alert and concentrate on what the machines are doing at all times.
This is physically demanding work. Plastics processing machine operators are required to lift and move products with or without the use of lifting aids.
You have the opportunity of learning how to operate more than one type of equipment. You need to be an enthusiastic learner. Training periods vary between a few weeks and a few months depending on the complexity of the machinery.
The job will change as the process becomes more automated and less labour intensive.
Plumbers install and repair pipes, fixtures and other plumbing equipment. They work on plumbing systems in all kinds of buildings from residences to factories, offices and hospitals. Many plumbers are self-employed. They can also work for plumbing companies, maintenance departments in factories of construction companies. Plumbing is a trade which offers a considerable degree of variety. In recent years it has expanded into a number of new areas, the most notable being environmentally sound waste and water disposal systems.
When preparing to install or repair a plumbing system, you must first read the blueprints or drawings relating to the project. In this way, you can determine the layout of the system, the water supply network and the waste draining systems. Once the pipes are installed, it is your responsibility to test the pipes for leaks using air and water pressure gauges.
Plumbers tend to specialize in either residential or in commercial/industrial work. You could develop a secondary specialization, such as renovations or waste management. If you are self-employed, you must negotiate your own contracts, prepare estimates and keep records of your assignments.
With the background and training of a plumber, you can also become a pipe fitter, working on hot water heating systems. In addition, this job prepares you to become a gas piping installer, involved in the installation of piping for natural gas transmission.
As a plumber, you are paid an hourly wage which is regulated by the union and is dependent on the experience you bring to the job.
Plumbing can be fairly demanding both physically and mentally, depending on your area of specialization. If you are involved in renovation work, for example, you tend to do a lot of stair climbing, removal of old and heavy pipes and clearing away of debris. Some drainage pipes are made of concrete or are lined with steel. Regardless of your specialty, you do a lot of lifting and carrying of pipes as a plumber.
The mental effort required of a plumber varies according to the assignment. Some jobs will involve the simple installation of a few lengths of pipe. Other jobs involve complex calculations and planning, such as when you work in specialized environments like hospitals. You may also have to produce detailed reports of your work.
Each new assignment is a challenge. You may be called upon to work under difficult conditions, with different materials and for different objectives. No two jobs are ever exactly alike. Also, as the plumbing trade evolves and grows more sophisticated, new and more specialized types of work are emerging.
You might find yourself using computer-assisted welding techniques for small pipes. You may work with special piping used in the fabrication of microchips, or install oxygen and medical gas in hospitals. One important emerging specialization is in sewage and water treatment, as well as the storage and flow systems for toxic waste.
To be a successful plumber, you must be disciplined and responsible. You should be able to concentrate on a single task for long periods of time, taking the time to do it right. You are responsible for the quality of your work and, if necessary, you must be able to work without supervision. Typically, you will have to visualize concepts and entire systems based on your understanding of drawings and blueprints.
Interpersonal skills are an important element of a plumber's success. You must have the skills necessary to deal with fellow team members, clients or other tradespeople. In addition, you must be able to communicate clearly with your clients, letting them know what you have to do and what you need to get the job done. On completion of the project, you must also have to give them a report of what you've done.
Plumbing should attract you if you are mechanically inclined. It should also appeal to you if you are looking for a challenge and are willing to embark on a never-ending learning process. You should be trustworthy and serious about the work and aware of your responsibilities to both your clients and your employer.
Printing press operators set up, operate, and maintain sheet and web-faced presses to print text, illustrations, and designs on paper, plastic, metal, and other materials. Press operators are found in printing companies, combined publishing and printing establishments, and other industries with in-house printing departments.
As a printing press operator, you are responsible for assessing all the elements that go into a printing job. Setting and adjusting plates, cylinders, and dampeners comprise the initial set up process. You then determine the appropriate ink tone and density by mixing inks and adjusting accordingly. Once this is complete, a test run of the job is required to make any fine adjustments to the quality of the product. The print job must be even and consistent before a full run is undertaken.
In some cases, you may be working closely with others who are responsible for supplying materials to the press while you are operating it. Otherwise, it may be your responsibility to monitor the stock of materials used on the press and make sure you don't run out of paper, metal or ink.
Depending on the size of the printing company in which you work, you may be paid hourly or by salary. You will probably work a standard forty-hour week, though in some cases, shift work may be required.
You are expected to manage your time well and to organize printing jobs in such a way to ensure that deadlines are met. Some publications, such as newspapers, depend absolutely on this. At the same time, you must be patient and careful to ensure a quality product.
Training for this position tends to be hands-on. You will probably begin by working at support staff jobs such as those of feeder and paper handler until you fully understand the operations of the press.
Apprenticeship programs are available if you are interested in pursuing this career. Another option is to attend a college level diploma program for graphic printing technicians. This latter choice offers a better chance to move into press operator positions quickly.
You will need mechanical ability to do this job. Though the industry is moving towards computer-based technology, the need to understand the way a machine operates, be it mechanical or electronic, is vital.
Patience is an asset since you are expected to achieve exacting standards in the print quality of every job. You must be able to handle high levels of stress at times when short deadlines must be met. You may have to cope with hot conditions working near press machinery and the work may be repetitive at times. Although teamwork is essential, you should also enjoy working independently since most print shops or departments rely on one press operator to perform the print functions.