Machining, Metal Forming, Shaping and Erecting Trades Contractors and Supervisors

(NOC 7201)

in All Trades and Transportation

Contractors and supervisors in machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related jobs supervise and coordinate the activities of the following groups of workers: Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors, Tool and die makers, Sheet metal workers, Boilermakers, Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters, Ironworkers, Welders and related machine operators and Machining tool operators. They work for structural, platework and related metal products production, manufacturing companies and machine shops. Contractors may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 25 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

  • Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$23.18

Minimum

$35.11

Median

$51.41

Maximum

Annual Pay

$33,265

Minimum

$70,099

Median

$123,246

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Contractors and supervisors in machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related jobs supervise and coordinate the activities of the following groups of workers: Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors, Tool and die makers, Sheet metal workers, Boilermakers, Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters, Ironworkers, Welders and related machine operators and Machining tool operators. They work for structural, platework and related metal products production, manufacturing companies and machine shops. Contractors may be self-employed.

Job duties

Contractors and supervisors in this group:

  • Supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of workers.
  • Create ways to meet work schedules and coordinate work activities with other departments.
  • Request materials and supplies.
  • Solve work problems and recommend ways to improve productivity.
  • Train or arrange for training of workers.
  • Recommend staffing actions like hiring and promotions.
  • Make sure standards for safe working conditions are met.
  • Prepare production and other reports.
  • Set up machines and equipment and write programs for computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools.
  • May manage their own companies.
  • May also supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of related apprentices, machine operators, helpers and labourers.
  • Small businesses' contractors may execute tasks within their trade area of expertise, which is generally not the case for supervisors or contractors associated with a medium or large business.

Sample job titles

  • blacksmith foreperson
  • boilermaker supervisor
  • ironworker contractor
  • machine ship supervisor
  • machinist foreperson
  • maintenance machine shop foreperson
  • metal mould and pattenmakers supervisor
  • sheet metal workers supervisor
  • structural metal fitter supervisor
  • tool and die inspectors supervisor
  • tool and die makers foreperson
  • welder supervisor

Skills

  • You must be able to work well with a variety of people. Leadership and effective spoken and written communication skills are essential. You must also be able to prepare cost estimates, maintain production schedules, supervise staff, and work as part of a team. You should be prepared to keep up with new techniques, equipment, and materials. Physical stamina and good motor skills are necessary.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • Several years of experience as a qualified machinist or tool and die maker.
  • Journeyperson trade certification in machining, tool and die making or in another related metalworking trade is required.

Other considerations

  • Most people in these jobs work full-time but often for only part of each year. Jobs in the construction industry are strongly affected by seasonal changes and general economic conditions. Workers in many of these jobs should be prepared for periods of unemployment. Many work on a project basis and can expect periods of unemployment throughout the year. There is some movement among jobs within a specific trade, however, there is little or no inter-trade movement particularly among supervisors.

By the numbers

Quick look

325

employed in 2016

98.5%

employed full-time

9.2%

self employed

3.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
96.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.4

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
94.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

38.5%

Halifax

$71,234 median annual income
23.1%

North Shore

$77,505 median annual income
16.9%

Annapolis Valley

$62,136 median annual income
12.3%

Cape Breton

$85,777 median annual income
9.2%

Southern

$56,273 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

46.4%

Manufacturing

28.6%

Construction

14.3%

Other services (except public administration)

3.6%

Public administration

3.6%

Wholesale trade

What is the age of Employment?

36.0%

45-54

24.0%

55-64

17.0%

35-44

17.0%

25-34

3.0%

15-24

3.0%

65+

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

48.5%

Trade Certification

$77,356 median annual income
30.3%

College Diploma

$65,709 median annual income
9.1%

Less than high school

N/A
7.6%

High school

N/A
3.0%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income
25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income
22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income
18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income
2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

Apprenticeship - Boilermaker

Apprenticeship Program

Apprenticeship is a structured training program leading to certification in the skilled trades. An apprenticeship combines supervised on-the-job training and experience with theoretical technical training. You find a job in your trade first and then enter into an apprenticeship agreement. You work 5,400 hours mentored by a certified journeyperson and gain the required skills and knowledge. You also take some technical courses. The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency administers the trades training and certification system. A boilermaker apprenticeship prepares apprentices to fabricate and repair steam boiler components. This may include courses in principles of steam power, material selection, welding, riveting, sealing materials, pressure testing, pipefitting, and applicable codes and standards.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Ironworking

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to make and install structural, ornamental, and reinforcing metal structures and supports. They include courses in drafting, technical mathematics, blueprint interpretation, welding, riveting, beam placement, ornamental design, structural reinforcement, crane operation, safety, and applicable codes and standards.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Machine Tool Technology/Machinist - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to plan, manufacture, assemble, test, and repair parts, mechanisms, machines, and structures in which materials are cast, formed, shaped, moulded, heat treated, cut, twisted, pressed, fused, stamped or worked.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair outboard and inboard engines, test, maintain, and repair steering devices and electrical systems, repair hulls and vessel components, make and maintain sails, and repair and balance propellers and drive shafts.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Metal Fabrication - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to construct industrial, storage, and commercial metal structures using prefabricated framing and siding components. They include courses in sheet metal working, ironworking, assembly and fastening techniques, blueprint reading, site preparation, structural design principles, safety, and applicable codes and regulations.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to form, shape, bend and fold extruded metals, including the creation of new products, using hand tools and machines such as cornice brakes, forming rolls, and squaring shears.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Tool and Die Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to operate machine tools used in the forming of metal components, as well as the fabrication of special tools, dies, jigs and fixtures used in cutting, working and finishing metal components.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Welding Technology/Welder - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to join or cut metal surfaces. They include courses in arc welding, resistance welding, brazing and soldering, cutting, high-energy beam welding and cutting, solid state welding, ferrous and non-ferrous materials, oxidation-reduction reactions, welding metallurgy, welding processes and heat treating, structural design, safety, and applicable codes and standards.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Trade Certification

Certificate of Qualification: Certification in a related designated trade is required to work in this job.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Canadian Boilermakers
Various, Canada
Canadian Welding Bureau, Atlantic Region
Dartmouth, NS
Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 409
Halifax, NS
Canada Marine Industries and Shipbuilding Association
Ottawa, ON
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Toronto, ON
Canadian Tooling and Machining Association
Cambridge, ON
Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.