Mechanic Trades Contractors and Supervisors

(NOC 7301)

in All Trades and Transportation

Contractors and supervisors in mechanic trades supervise and coordinate the activities the following groups of workers: Machinery and transportation equipment mechanics (except motor vehicle), Automotive service technicians, and Other mechanics. They work for a wide range of companies that are related to the trade supervised. Contractors may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Good

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  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 180 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

$20.00

Minimum

$27.59

Median

$38.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$20,748

Minimum

$69,498

Median

$116,375

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 mechanic trades supervise and coordinate the activities the following groups of workers: Machinery and transportation equipment mechanics (except motor vehicle), Automotive service technicians, and Other mechanics. They work for a wide range of companies that are related to the trade supervised. Contractors may be self-employed.

Job duties

Contractors and supervisors:

  • 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 staff actions like hiring and promotions.
  • Make sure that standards for safe working conditions are met.
  • Prepare production and other reports.
  • May manage their own companies.
  • May also supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of related apprentices, helpers and labourers.
  • Small businesses' contractors may carry out tasks within their trade, which is generally not the case for supervisors or contractors associated with a medium or large business.

Sample job titles

  • air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic foreperson
  • aircraft maintenance engineers (AME) supervisor
  • appliance repair shop supervisor
  • electrical mechanics foreperson
  • heating systems contractor
  • heavy equipment mechanic foreperson
  • industrial mechanics supervisor
  • motor vehicle repair shop supervisor
  • printing machine repairers foreperson
  • railway car repairer foreperson
  • small-engine repair shop supervisor
  • textile machine mechanics foreperson

Skills

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

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • Several years of experience as a qualified tradesperson in a relevant trade are usually required.
  • Journeyperson trade certification in a relevant 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. Many who work on a project basis and can expect periods of unemployment throughout the year. There is little or no movement between trade supervisory positions in this group. Movement to management positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

510

employed in 2016

95.1%

employed full-time

24.5%

self employed

2.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
98%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
53.5

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?

40.2%

Halifax

$64,119 median annual income
21.6%

Annapolis Valley

$84,107 median annual income
15.7%

North Shore

$52,038 median annual income
11.8%

Southern

$63,664 median annual income
10.8%

Cape Breton

$72,729 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

30.8%

Construction

22.0%

Other services (except public administration)

12.1%

Transportation and warehousing

7.7%

Public administration

6.6%

Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

35.0%

45-54

33.0%

55-64

19.0%

35-44

9.0%

65+

5.0%

25-34

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

43.7%

Trade Certification

$72,317 median annual income
35.0%

College Diploma

$74,111 median annual income
10.7%

High school

$52,682 median annual income
4.9%

Less than high school

N/A
3.9%

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

Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment Technology

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to maintain and repair farm, ranch, and agribusiness power equipment and vehicles. They include courses in the principles of diesel, combustion, electrical, steam, hydraulic, and mechanical systems and their application to maintaining crop spraying equipment, tractors and hauling equipment, planting and harvesting equipment, cutting equipment, power sources and systems for silos, irrigation and pumping equipment, dairy, feeding and shearing operations, and processing systems.

There are no schools in Nova Scotia offering this program.

Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain all aircraft components other than engines, propellers, avionics, and instruments. They include courses in layout and fabrication of sheet metal, fabric, wood, and other materials into structural members, parts, and fittings, and replacement of damaged or worn parts such as control cables and hydraulic units.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Appliance Installation and Repair Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, install, and service major gas, electric, and consumer appliances such as stoves, microwaves, refrigerators, dryers, water heaters, washers, dishwashers, and commercial units such as ice makers and coffee makers.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Autobody/Collision and Repair Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, reconstruct and finish automobile bodies, fenders, and external features. They include courses in structure analysis, damage repair, non-structural analysis, mechanical and electrical components, plastics and adhesives, painting and refinishing techniques, and damage analysis and estimating.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Automotive Mechanics Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain all types of automobiles. They include courses in brake systems, electrical systems, engine performance, engine repair, suspension and steering, automatic and manual transmissions and drive trains, and heating and air condition systems.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to operate and maintain a variety of heavy equipment like crawler tractors, motor graders and scrapers, shovels, rigging devices, hoists, and jacks. They include courses in digging, ditching, sloping, stripping, grading, and backfilling, clearing and excavating.

Institutions providing this program

Maritime Environmental Training Institute

Sydney, NS

Commercial Safety College

Truro, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Operating Engineers Training Institute of Nova Scotia

Falmouth, NS

Dexter Institute

Bedford, NS

Diesel Mechanics Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain diesel engines in vehicles like cars, buses, ships, trucks, railroad locomotives, and construction equipment as well as stationary diesel engines in electrical generators and related equipment.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Electrical/Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to operate, maintain, and repair electrical and electronic equipment. They include courses in electrical circuitry, simple gearing, linkages and lubrication of machines and appliances, and the use of testing equipment.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, install, service and maintain the operating condition of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. They include courses in diagnostic techniques, the use of testing equipment and the principles of mechanics, electricity, and electronics as they relate to the repair of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills in the field maintenance and repair of heavy equipment, and in the general maintenance and overhaul of such equipment. They include courses in inspection, maintenance, and repair of tracks, wheels, brakes, operating controls, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, electrical circuitry, engines and in techniques of welding and brazing.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, 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

Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair and maintain industrial machinery and equipment such as cranes, pumps, engines and motors, pneumatic tools, conveyor systems, production machinery, marine deck machinery, and steam propulsion, refinery, and pipeline-distribution systems.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

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

Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to the specialized maintenance and repair of trucks, buses, and other commercial and industrial vehicles. They include courses in diesel engine mechanics, suspension and steering, brake systems, electrical and electronic systems, preventive maintenance inspections, drive trains, gasoline engine mechanics, HVAC systems, and auxiliary equipment installation and repair.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain motorcycles and other similar powered vehicles. They include courses in lubrication and cooling systems, electrical and ignition systems, carburetion, fuel systems and adjustments of moving parts.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to design, install, and test industrial and commercial piping systems and automatic fire and exposure protection systems. They include courses in water systems, steam systems, heating and cooling systems, lubricating systems, piping materials, installation tools operation and maintenance, valve installation and repair, technical mathematics, blueprint interpretation, and applicable codes and standards.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

UA 56 Pipe Trades Career College Inc.

Dartmouth, 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

Nova Scotia Automobile Dealers Safety Association
Halifax, NS
Railway Association of Canada
Ottawa, ON
Nova Scotia Automobile Dealers Association
Halifax, NS
Automotive Human Resource Sector Council of Nova Scotia
Dartmouth, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.