Other Trades and Related Workers

Nature of work

This group includes tradespersons and related skilled workers who repair, service, install, calibrate, or build a variety of products. They work for a wide range of businesses, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Gunsmiths:

• Make guns and repair and modify firearms according to blueprints or customers' specifications.

Locksmiths:

• Repair, install and adjust locks, make keys, and change lock combinations.
• Maintain safes and vaults.

Recreation vehicle technicians:

• Repair or replace electrical wiring, plumbing, propane gas lines, appliances, windows, doors, cabinets, and structural frames in recreational vehicles.

Safe and vault servicers:

• Install, repair, and maintain safes and vaults in banks and other institutions.

Saw fitters:

• Repair, set, and sharpen band saws, chain saws, circular saws, and other types of saw blades according to specifications.

Die setters:

• Select dies for forging according to work order and specifications.
• Position, align, and bolt dies to ram and anvil of power presses and hammers.

Commercial divers:

• Complete underwater activities related to construction, inspection, search, salvage, repair, and photography.

Farrier:

• Trim horses’ hooves, forge metal bars into custom-made horseshoes and shape commercial shoes to fit.

Marine Service Technician:

• Service and repair, refit, and upgrade marine vessels (motor and sail).
• The service and repair of marine vessels includes structural, cosmetic, electrical, and mechanical work.

Sample job titles

• blacksmith
• diver
• farrier
• locksmith
• marine service technician
• recreation vehicle service technician
• safe and vault technician
• saw repairer
• toolsmith
• underwater worker

Skills

• Many jobs in this group require manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination, good near vision, physical strength and agility, analytical thinking, and communication skills.
• Farriers need good judgment, patience and perseverance, physical stamina, good eyesight and coordination, communication skills, the ability to work alone, and an interest in working with horses.
• Locksmiths need accuracy, patience, stamina, reliability, honesty, mechanical skills, mathematical ability, computer skills, good vision and hearing, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to work alone.
• Recreation vehicle service technicians need manual dexterity and balance, strength and stamina, mechanical, electrical, and electronics aptitude, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills, communication skills, organizational skills, and the ability to work both alone or with a team.
• Marine service technicians need an eye for detail, diagnostic skills, versatility to work with boats of all shapes and sizes, initiative, interpersonal skills, communication skills, and be hardworking.

Job requirements

• High school or equivalent (usually).
• High school or industry courses combined with several years of related work experience, or several years of on-the-job training are required for many jobs in this group.
• Marine Service Technician: training through a 7,200-hour apprenticeship program with four apprenticeship levels: to become an apprentice you first need to have a job - enter an apprenticeship agreement either directly through an employer or after graduating from a college-level pre-apprenticeship program; learn on the job, mentored by a certified journeyperson who signs off on skills in a logbook.
• Trade Qualifier option, 10,800 hours, and other criteria.
• Certification for marine service technicians is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
• Write and score a minimum of 70% on the provincial exam for marine service technicians.
• Recreation vehicle service technicians need school or industry courses combined with several years of related work experience, or several years of on-the-job training.
• Recreation vehicle service technicians Trade Qualifier option, 8,100 hours, and other criteria.
• Certification for recreation vehicle service technicians is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
• Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for recreation vehicle service technicians.
• Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.
• Commercial divers must meet the requirements of CSA Standard Z275.4-02, Competency Standard for Diving Operations.
• Commercial divers require an Occupational Diver Certificate of Competency issued by the Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC) or a qualification earned through a formal education program, training courses in diving, or a combination of education and practical experience.
• Commercial divers require certification of competency and a diving medical examination from an approved hyperbaric physician.
• Commercial divers may require military or police diving experience.
• Commercial divers usually require a provincial blaster's licence for the setting and detonation of explosives.
• Provincial trade certification or licensing may be required for other jobs in this group.

Other considerations

• Marine service technicians service and repair, refit, and upgrade marine vessels (motor and sail). The service and repair of marine vessels includes structural, cosmetic, electrical, and mechanical work.
• Marine service technicians can be found in boatyards, marinas, yacht clubs, and marine dealerships. They work indoors in repair shops and sometimes work outdoors at boat docks. The environment can be noisy with variable temperatures and lighting. They are often exposed to hazardous equipment, situations, and conditions that may cause minor cuts and burns. They often work in awkward and cramped positions.
• Marine service technicians usually work 40 hours per week. They often work fewer hours in the winter. They may need to travel to docks and marinas.
• Farriers often work long hours. They mainly work outdoors or in stables. Farriers work year-round. There tends to be less work in the winter. They must provide their own tools. Most drive to clients in vehicles set up with portable forges, anvils, and other tools of the trade.
• The work of a farrier is physically demanding. There is constant bending and lifting. Farriers must work with speed and confidence. They must calm nervous or difficult horses. Risks include injuries from kicks, bites, or burns from hot metal. They may be stepped on or pushed when working with difficult horses.
• Experienced farriers may specialize in a particular type of horse, like show horses, standardbred horses, or pleasure horses.
• Advancement generally takes the form of building a larger client base.
• Locksmiths usually work a 5-day week, but they can also expect to be on call nights and weekends to respond to emergencies. Self-employed locksmiths may work longer hours.
• Some shops, especially mobile units, may be small and crowded, which means working around benches, counters, and stock. Locksmiths sometimes are required to work in awkward or confined spaces, climb ladders, move safes, and lift over 25 kilograms. In mobile units, they may find themselves dealing with adverse weather conditions.
• Locksmith apprentices are often required to provide their own tools.
• Experienced locksmiths can advance to supervisory positions or set up their own businesses. Most locksmiths stay in this profession, making it a life-long occupation.
• Recreation vehicle service technicians install and repair exterior and interior components, install accessories, and perform pre-delivery inspections on motor homes, holiday trailers, fifth wheels, truck campers, and tent trailers.
• Recreation vehicle service technicians usually work indoors in shops and occasionally work outdoors and at RV sites. Most work a 40-hour, 5-day week. However, some evening, weekend, or holiday work may be required, particularly during the busier summer months.
• Their working environment is typically clean and relatively safe. It is generally not physically demanding, although technicians may be required to lift and move items weighing over 25 kilograms.
• Experienced recreation vehicle service technicians may move into supervisory or administrative positions, specialize in a particular area of repair, or open their own shops.
• There is little or no movement among occupations in this group.

Regulations

Contacts