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Cement/Concrete Finishers Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work outdoors icon that represents where Cement/Concrete Finishers work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Cement/Concrete Finishers. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Cement/Concrete Finishers click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Structural Construction

Cement/Concrete Finishers

work outdoors

Concrete finishers place and finish concrete floors, driveways, sidewalks, curbs, bridge decks and other concrete structures.

Is this a career that interests you?

  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; English; Chemistry; Physical Education

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Most concrete finishers are employed by general contractors involved in building highways, bridges and large buildings, and by contractors who do only concrete work. A few concrete finishers are self-employed, contracting their services for smaller projects such as patios, sidewalks and driveways. Employment prospects for concrete finishers vary with the seasons and with economic conditions.

  • DutiesDetails

    Concrete Finishers:

    • Pour concrete into forms.
    • Spread wet concrete to a specified depth.
    • Level and smooth the surface of the concrete.
    • Round edges and make joints or grooves to help control cracking on the surface.
    • Apply architectural, exposed, patterned, stamped, broomed or smooth finishes.
    • Use dry pack grouting and epoxy materials to ensure concrete cures perfectly.
    • Repair, waterproof and restore concrete surfaces.
    • Use machines to trowel warehouses and arena floors.
    • Use hand trowelling for hard to reach spots in corners, edges, and around pipes.
    • Finish surface to meet customer needs.
      • Trowelled to a smooth finish.
      • Brushed to create a coarse, non-skid finish.
      • Embedded with gravel chips for rough finish.
      • Patterned or stamped to apply decorative surface.
      • Trowelled with a dye to create a coloured surface.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Construction sites.
    • Outdoors
      • Construction sites.
      • All weather conditions.
      • Less work available in cold months.

    Hours:

    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • May need to work evenings or weekends and/or holidays.
    • May need to work overtime.
    • Cannot leave a job half-way through, so may need to work long hours to make sure a project is finished.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • Lift and carry up to 25 kilograms and heavier.
    • Risk of injury working on uneven footing.
    • Work involves a lot of bending, stooping, kneeling.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • The physical strength and stamina required to shovel and move wet concrete.
    • Works well with others.
    • Takes pride in seeing the results of their work.
    • Enjoy physical exercise.
    • Enjoys working with hands.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.
    • Your employer believes your skills and knowledge are the same as a journeyperson.
    • You are self-employed in this trade.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 10-3 or equivalent.
    • Science 10 or equivalent.
    • or able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.
    • If you have training or work experience in this trade it may count towards your certification.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 3 years.
    • 1st year: 1200 work hours + 4 weeks of classroom training.
    • 2nd year: 1200 work hours + 4 weeks of classroom training.
    • 3rd year: 1200 work hours .
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

    Pre-employment programs for prospective apprentices and continuing education programs for journeypersons may be offered on an as needed basis by the institution(s) listed above or other schools.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Management or supervisory positions.
    • Estimator.
    • Self-employed with own business.
    • If you have supervisory or management experience in this trade, you may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.
    • Time of year.

    Future Trends:

    • More than 2,200 Albertans work in this category.
    • Expect below average growth of 1.8% from 2013 to 2017 in Alberta.
    • Forecast 40 new positions each year.
    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $20 to $35 an hour plus benefits (2009 estimate). Apprentice concrete finishers are paid at least 65 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 75 per cent in the second and 85 per cent in the third.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Concrete Finishers occupational group earned on average from $21.32 to $30.23 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $25.73 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails