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About
Ask yourself...
- Are you a good communicator?
- Do you have good eyesight and hand-eye coordination?
- Are you in good shape?
- Do you like working with your hands?
- Can you work alone and in a team?
- Do you have strong math skills?
- Are you comfortable with heights?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then a career as a Glazier could be right for you.
Glaziers cut, fit, install and replace glass in residential, commercial and industrial buildings, on exterior walls of buildings and other structures, and in furniture and other products.
They are employed by construction glass installation contractors, repair and glass fabrication shops, and interior design and architectural firms.
Duties
As a Glazier, your duties may include the following:
- Assembling and installing prefabricated glass, mirrors or glass products on walls, ceilings or exteriors of building
- Measuring, marking, cutting and tinting glass
- Fabricating metal frames for glass installation
- Preparing and installing skylights, aquariums and stained glass in churches, museums and other buildings
- Replacing damaged glass or faulty sealant
- Preparing cost estimates
- Reading and interpreting blueprints
Work Conditions
The standard work week for glaziers is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). As with many careers in construction, there are peak periods that will require you to work overtime. The number of additional hours you work each week depends on the construction sector and region you work in, and will vary from one job to the next.
Glaziers usually work steadily throughout the year because there is a regular need for repair work.
As a Glazier, you may work indoors or outdoors, alone or with a team of other construction professionals. The job can be physically demanding – you may have to work at heights and with heavy glass.
As with all careers in construction, safety is the top priority. Glaziers are trained to work safely and wear special equipment to protect against injury.
Training and Certification
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified Glazier, called a journeyperson.
As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working on the job site. Wages start at about 55 per cent of a journeyperson’s hourly rate and increase during your apprenticeship until you reach the full rate.
Entering an apprenticeship program
Requirements for glazier apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. In most provinces and territories, you must have a Grade 9 education or equivalent to enter a glazier apprenticeship program.
Some provinces and territories offer secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work towards a career as a Glazier.
For more information, check out the apprenticeship section.
Program length
Apprenticeship training programs for glaziers vary across Canada, but generally involve four 12-month periods, including at least 6,480 hours of on-the-job training, four six-week blocks of technical training and a final certificate exam.
Related work experience or completion of a glazier program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship.
Certification
Certification is required in Quebec, and is available but voluntary in all other provinces and territories. Even where certification is voluntary, it is still recommended, as it tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional and it also helps you get jobs.
To be certified as a Glazier, you usually need to complete a four-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully complete the required on-the-job training, technical training and exams, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.
You may be eligible for certification in some provinces and territories if you have more than four years of on-the-job experience and some high school, college or industry courses for glaziers.
As a certified Glazier you may write the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards’ Red Seal. With a Red Seal, you can work as a Glazier anywhere in Canada.
To keep their skills current, Glaziers must keep up with new technologies by reading and speaking with others in their field.
Courses
Anticipated In-Demand Regions
- British Columbia
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario - Eastern Region
- Ontario - Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Wage
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Mid range $56,580 | ![]() | High range $80,850 |
The “mid range” wage is based on the national “median” wage reported in the Job Bank career profile for this National Occupational Category (NOC): 7292
Note: Some career profiles may have more than one NOC code associated with them.