Explore the Trades
Interested in working in the construction industry but not sure which trade is the best fit for you? Check out the many skilled trades in Arizona and start your career journey here.
Asbestos Worker
Hazardous materials abatement workers identify, remove, package, transport, and dispose of hazardous materials such as asbestos, mould, lead, mercury, PCBs, and other biological hazards.
Responsibilities
- Comply with safety procedures, provincial regulations, and federal laws
- Pre-cleans work areas
Boilermaker
Boilermakers build, repair, test, and maintain all types of boilers, tanks, and pressure vessels and related metal products for building manufacturing and industrial processes in heavy industry. They perform structural and plate work on dust, air, gas, steam, oil, water, and other liquid-tight containers.
Responsibilities
- Lay out patterns and fit and weld parts together
- Install, repair, and maintain boilers and heavy-metal products
Bricklayer & Allied Craftworker
Bricklayers prepare, lay brick, and other masonry units to construct and repair structures such as walls, partitions, fireplaces, and chimneys. They also lay or install fire brick or castable materials on commercial or industrial projects.
Responsibilities
- Read sketches & blueprints to calculate materials required
- Measure and construct corners first, using a plumb line & mason's level to ensure level layers
Electrical Worker
Electricians install new electrical systems and test, replace, upgrade, and service existing systems in all types of buildings and structures. There's also growing demand for specialized work with controls, fiber optics, and communication and computer networks.
Responsibilities
- Read and interpret blueprints, maps, drawings, and specifications
- Test and measure voltage, loads, ground faults integrity of circuits
Elevator Constructor
Elevator constructors and mechanics assemble, install, maintain, and repair freight and passenger elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other related equipment. In this career, they are most often employed by elevator construction and maintenance companies. They may specialize in installation, maintenance or repair.
Responsibilities
- Install and wire electric and electronic control system devices
- Adjust valves, seals, brake linings, and other components
Heat & Frost Insulator
Heat and frost insulators work with more than just heating and cooling, they also help reduce the passage of sound, air, smoke, and fire. They are essential to every large institutional, commercial, and industrial construction project in the country, as well as residential construction.
Responsibilities
- Apply and secure insulation using spraying, blowing, pasting, strapping, taping, and other application and installation methods
- Read and interpret specifications to select the type of insulation required
Ironworker Bridge, Structural & Ornamental
Structural & Ornamental Ironworkers install and reinforce structural/ ornamental steel components, precast structural concrete members, and glued laminate timber products in commercial, industrial, institutional, and large residential buildings, towers, bridges, and stadiums. They also erect pre-engineered buildings and ornamental ironwork.
Responsibilities
- Install and reinforce structural/ornamental steel components and other materials according to blueprints
- Erect scaffolding, cranes, hoists and derricks on construction sites
Ironworker: Reinforcing
Reinforcing Ironworkers play a critical role in building strong, durable concrete structures. They fabricate, assemble, and install reinforcing steel (rebar), wire mesh, composites, and post-tensioning systems that give concrete its strength and stability. Their work includes positioning, aligning, and securing components according to project drawings, as well as unloading and preparing steel units for safe installation. Reinforcing Ironworkers also stress and grout bars and tendons, install supporting accessories, and tie or weld components together to create the framework that ensures structures like bridges, stadiums, and high-rises are built to last.
Responsibilities
- Fabricate, assemble, and install reinforcing steel (rebar), wire mesh, and composite materials for concrete construction
- Build and install components of pre- and post-tensioning systems for large structures like bridges and stadiums
Operating Engineer
Mobile Crane Operators use mobile cranes to lift, move, position, and place materials and equipment. Mobile crane types included crawlers, floating platform-mounted, ring mounted, truck mounted, rough-terrain (RT) and all terrain (AT).
Responsibilities
- Perform pre-operational inspections
- Calculate crane capacities and determine load weight
Painter & Allied Trades
Painters apply a range of coatings to beautify, identify, and protect interior and exterior surfaces and structures from weather, UV, chemicals, abrasion, and fire. From office towers and retail stores to bridges and pipelines, a Red Seal painter does it all.
Responsibilities
- Repair, clean, and prepare wood, plaster, stucco, stone, concrete, brick, steel, and other materials
- Apply paint and other materials using brushes, rollers or spray equipment
Pipe Trades
Plumbers install, remodel, and maintain systems that carry water, steam, air, and other liquids or gases necessary for sanitation, industrial production, heating, air conditioning, and many other systems. Because they work in all kinds of industries, there are nearly endless work opportunities.
Responsibilities
- Read blueprints and drawings for plumbing system layouts, water supply network,s and waste and drainage systems
- Determine piping system requirements and pipe sizing
Plasterer & Cement Mason
Plasterers select, mix, and apply gypsum, cement, and acrylic mixtures to exterior and interior walls and ceilings to produce clean finishes or decorative surfaces that are fire, weather or sound resistant. Plasterers can work on industrial, residential and commercial projects, and their duties vary according to the type of job.
Responsibilities
- Residential jobs: Apply plaster material over interior or exterior masonry surfaces, especially manufactured wallboard & drywall surfaces, including plaster, stucco or acrylic
- Industrial and commercial jobs: Spray specialized coatings for sound control and hand-trowel or spray fireproofing material for fire protection
Sprinkler Fitter
Sprinkler System Installers build, install, adjust, maintain, and repair sprinkler systems on industrial, commercial, and residential sites. They can be self-employed or work with construction firms, plumbing contractors, heating & air conditioning companies, building developers or sprinkler system contractors. They work primarily indoors but may also install outdoor systems above and below ground.
Responsibilities
- Read and interpret prints & specifications to determine location, size & material required
- Examine, inspect, and test sprinkler systems