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Plasterers, Drywall Installers and Finishers and Lathers
What they do?
Drywall installers and finishers perform some or all of the following duties:
A. Measure, cut and fit drywall sheets for installation on walls and ceilings
B. Position and secure sheets to metal or wooden studs or joists
C. Cut and install metal corner beads to protect exterior corners
D. Fill joints, nail indentations, holes and cracks with joint compound using trowel and broad knife
E. Tape over joints using taping machine and embed tape in compound
F. Smooth out excess compound and allow coat to dry
G. Apply successive coats of compound and sand seams and joints
What education do I need?
1. Completion of secondary school is usually required.
2. Completion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship program in plastering, drywalling or lathing or A combination of over three years of work experience and some high school, college or industry courses in plastering, drywalling or lathing is usually required.
3. Plasterer trade certification is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
4. Drywall installer and finisher trade certification is available, but voluntary, in British Columbia.
5. Lather trade certification is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the Yukon.
6. Red Seal, an interprovincial trade certification, is also available to qualified lathers (interior systems mechanic).
High School Subject that will help:
1. Math
2. Physical Education
3. Sciences
4. Industrial Arts
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Plasterers, Drywall Installers and Finishers and Lathers is $18.45/HR, which is close to the average for occupations in the trades, transport and equipment operators sector and close to the average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at an above-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
10% of Plasterers, Drywall Installers and Finishers and Lathers are unemployed. This rate is close to the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Plasterers, Drywall Installers and Finishers and Lathers is considered Average because:
1. Employment grew at an average rate.
2. Hourly wages ($18.45) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is above average.
3. The unemployment rate (10%) is above the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be below average because of an expected decline in the residential construction industry.
2. The number of persons leaving for retirement will be insufficient to counterbalance weak job creation performance leaving, thus leaving few foreseeable openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations are found in Alberta and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
Unionization Rate:
The unionization rate (42%) is close to the average (32%) for all occupations.
Useful Experience:
1. Construction
2. Working to schedule
3. Physical work
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
7% of Plasterers, Drywall Installers and Finishers and Lathers are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 26,400 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 48% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average reflecting the age/retirement structure of the occupation.
