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Concrete finishers

OaSIS code 73100.00

Concrete finishers smooth and finish freshly poured concrete, apply curing or surface treatments and install, maintain and restore various masonry structures such as foundations, floors, ceilings, sidewalks, roads, patios and highrise buildings. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Overview

Also known as

  • Cement finisher apprentice
  • Cement mason
  • Concrete finisher
  • Concrete mason
  • Precast concrete finisher

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Check formwork, granular base and steel reinforcement materials and direct placement of concrete into forms or onto surfaces according to grade
  • Fill hollows and remove high spots to smooth freshly poured concrete
  • Operate power vibrator to compact concrete
  • Level top surface of concrete according to grade and depth specifications using straightedge or float
  • Impart desired finish to concrete surfaces using hand and power tools
  • Install anchor bolts, steel plates, door sills and other fixtures in freshly poured concrete
  • Apply hardening and sealing compounds to cure surface of concrete
  • Waterproof, damp-proof and restore concrete surfaces
  • Repair, resurface and replace worn or damaged sections of floors, walls, roads and other concrete structures.

Additional information

  • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers (72014)
  • Concrete, clay and stone forming operators (94103)
  • Bricklayers (72320)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

TEER

3 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training

Major group

73 – General trades

Sub-major group

731 – General construction trades

Minor group

7310 – Concrete finishers, tilesetters and plasterers

Unit group

73100 – Concrete finishers

Occupational profile

73100.00 – Concrete finishers

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Performing General Physical Activities
5 - Highest Level
Controlling Machines and Processes
4 - High Level
Handling and Moving Objects
4 - High Level
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
4 - High Level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
4 - High Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
4 - Close (at arm’s length)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
0 – Not applicable
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
4 - More than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Cement and concrete contractors
  • Construction companies
  • Manufacturers of precast concrete products
  • Self-employed

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Speed of Limb Movement
5 - Highest Level
Trunk Strength
5 - Highest Level
Dynamic Strength
4 - High Level
Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
4 - High Level
Stamina
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Operation and Control
3 - Moderate Level
Quality Control Testing
3 - Moderate Level
Coordinating
2 - Low Level
Equipment and Tool Selection
2 - Low Level
Evaluation
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Attention to Detail
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Stress Tolerance
4 - Highly important
Adaptability
3 - Important
Analytical Thinking
3 - Important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RIC

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Completion of a two- to four-year apprenticeship program or over three years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in cement finishing are usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
  • Trade certification for concrete finishers is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.
  • Trade certification for cement masons is available, but voluntary, in Ontario.
  • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified concrete finishers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Building and Construction
1 - Basic Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
1 - Basic Level
Mechanics and Machinery
1 - Basic Level
Training, Mentoring and Coaching
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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