“My father always told me when I was a labourer to keep my head up, pay attention and find a trade that I was interested in,” says Tim Chandler. Now he’s a heavy equipment operator with experience on backhoes, trim dozers, bulldozers, excavators, rock trucks, graders and loaders. Check out Tim’s story.
Online
Most construction firms post job openings on their company website, so check the websites of major contractors in your area or desired work location. A quick search for “construction” on Yellowpages.ca will give you a list of companies in your area.
There are also numerous online job sites where you can search for job openings. Search using terms like “construction labourer” and “construction helper.”
Here are a few sites to get you started:
- AboriginalCareers.ca
- Alberta Building Careers
- Alberta Alis Trades-Related Job Postings
- BC: Construction Job Centre
- BC: SkillSource
- BC: STEP BC
- Construction Job Site
- Craigslist (you might not think of Craigslist, but you'd be surprised at the number of jobs/apprenticeship positions advertised here)
- Government of Canada Job Bank
- Hard Hat Hunter
- Indigenous Link
- Jack Staff (mostly French listings)
- MyTrades.ca
- Ontario: Grand Valley Construction Association Career Postings
- Ontario: GTA Skilled Trades
- Quebec: MonPremierChantier.com (French only)
- Randstad Skilled Trades
- Red Seal Recruiting Solutions Ltd.
- TradesCraft
- TradesLink
- Women of Powerline Technicians Careers
- Work in Trades
- Working Warriors (for Indigenous skilled tradespeople)
- WRKS The Construction Hiring Network
Word of mouth
Don't be afraid to use your connections. Speak with people who are already employed in the construction industry to find leads on job openings.
Government employment offices
Check your local government employment office. Many offer job-hunting services such as help with preparing your resume. Also ask about programs and services that specialize in trades-related training and employment.
To find an office, do a Google search for the name of your province/territory and “employment office” (e.g., “Manitoba employment office”).
Learn about the different Types of Employers in the construction industry.