Concrete Finisher

Concrete Finisher

Apprenticeship

AT A GLANCE

While other tradespeople may prepare the sub-base for concrete, prepare and place the reinforcing material, and place the formwork, it is the concrete finisher’s responsibility to inspect this work to ensure that it is ready to receive the concrete. They work with and prepare a variety of concrete materials and finishes to meet final specifications.

Finishes can be trowelled for a smooth finish, brushed to create a coarse, non-skid finish, embedded with gravel chips for an exposed aggregate finish, patterned or stamped for a decorative surface, or floated with a special dry shake to create a coloured surface.

After completing apprenticeship training, a certified concrete finisher is qualified to:

Source: Apprenticeship Manitoba

CAREER VIDEO(S)

Source: ALIS website, Alberta

RELATED CAREER VIDEO(S)

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Preparation: Residential Concrete Flatwork Technician course
Placement: Residential Concrete Flatwork Technician course
Cure-Cut-Clean: Residential Concrete Flatwork Technician course
previous arrow
next arrow

Source: MCSC

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Below is a list of workplaces where you might find opportunities to gain apprenticeship hours and/or experience:

Other Conditions: 

Most of the finishing work is now mechanized with lazer-guided or power screeds, power floats and trowels, and mechanical vibrators and pumps which minimize the demands for manual labour on the job.

Source: Apprenticeship Manitoba Handbook and Manitoba Prospects

MINI SKILLS ASSESSMENT

If you answer YES to the questions below, then a career as a Concrete Finisher may be right for you!

ESSENTIAL SKILLS PROFILES

The Government of Canada Job Bank has identified Nine Literacy and Essential Skills (Reading, Writing, Document Use, Numeracy, Computer Use, Thinking, Oral Communication, Working with Others, and Continuous Learning).

Below you will find links to the Essential Skills Profiles for this occupation and/or related ones:

WAGES

Below you will find the annual salaries for apprentices and Journey Persons for a Concrete Finisher:

Minimum for Apprentices

Skills Booklet 2016, Skills Canada/Manitoba

$31,132

Average for Journey Persons

Skills Booklet 2016, Skills Canada/Manitoba

$48,048 – $65,520

For more information on apprenticeship wages, click here

Every year, the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) Construction Sector releases Minimum Wage Schedules for Manitoba. Below are the minimum wage rates for this career:
Minimum Wage Rate Effective Date
Journey Persons
January 1, 2017 or after:

$27.30
Concrete Finisher
May 1, 2017 or after:

$16.45

TRAINING

Note: To receive the most up-to-date information about satisfying apprenticeship level requirements, contact Apprenticeship Manitoba or visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/wd/apprenticeship/

Concrete Finisher

Program Length (Minimum Years)

2 years

Level Requirements

Required Hours for each level (L)

L1: 1, 800 hours L2: 1, 800 hours

Technical Training/Year (weeks in class)

Y1: 4 weeks Y2: 4 weeks 

Additional Licensing

No

Trades Qualification Requirements (minimum experience required)

Minimum years of experience required

(within last 10 years)

3 years

Minimum hours experience required

5,400 hours

Practical Exam required

No

Compulsory Apprenticeship/Certificate of Qualifications required to work

No

Red Seal Trade available

Yes

ASSOCIATIONS

Click the links below for associations related to this career!