Concrete finishers place, finish and protect concrete surfaces. They work on a variety of vertical and horizontal surfaces and structures such as concrete floors, walls, sidewalks, stairs, driveways, curbs and gutters, stairs, dams, bridges and tunnels. They also texture, chip, grind and cure finished concrete work and are responsible for the repair and restoration of damaged concrete. They apply various finishes to concrete surfaces such as architectural, exposed, acid-stained, patterned, stamped, broomed overlays and smooth finishes. They install expansion joints and edge the concrete surfaces and install fixtures such as anchor bolts, steel plates and door sills. They also apply membranes and other waterproofing products to concrete. Concrete finishers must possess a sound knowledge of the properties of various types of concrete and how mixes, proportions and additives affect concrete strength, setting and curing times, finish and durability. Materials that concrete finishers work with include concrete, grouts, site-cured plastics, exotics, epoxies, polyurethanes and acrylic.
Much of concrete finishing has become mechanized with power screeds, power trowels, mechanical vibrators and pumps. Hand trowelling is still required for small jobs and to finish hard-to-reach spots in corners, edges and around obstacles such as pipes.
Concrete finishers work in the construction sector in both indoor and outdoor conditions. Outdoor work is weather-dependant and there may be less work available in the winter. Conversely, overtime is often required when the weather demands it.
Specialization in this trade is common. Concrete finishers may specialize in working with specific materials such as colored concrete, exposed aggregates and various epoxies, or specific techniques such as power trowelling and finishing curbs and gutters.
Key attributes for people entering this trade are stamina, spatial perception and hand-eye coordination. Artistic skills are also helpful in this trade. Some physical activities of this trade are heavy lifting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling and reaching. There is some risk of injury from working on uneven footing and from other construction site hazards.
Concrete finishers work with a variety of other tradespeople. Heavy equipment operators may prepare the sub-base for concrete, ironworkers may prepare and place the reinforcing material and carpenters may place the formwork. It is the concrete finishers' responsibility to inspect this work and ensure that it is suitable for receiving the concrete.
They also interact with plumbers and electricians when pipes and wires are embedded in the concrete. With experience, concrete finishers may move into supervisory, management or instructing roles.
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How to Become a Chartered Accountant
Education: You must have completed: 1. A university degree with specific business course credits 2. The professional program in your province or territory This level of education will provide you with the sound base of knowledge you will need to develop the skills and the values necessary to demonstrate competence.... More >
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Apprenticeship Completion Grant
The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a $2,000 taxable cash grant designed to encourage apprentices registered in a designated Red Seal trade to complete their apprenticeship program and receive their certification. Eligibility is retroactive to January 1, 2009. The completion grant will be offered to apprentices who complete their training,... More >
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Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year, up to a maximum of $2,000 per person, available to registered apprentices once they have successfully completed their first or second year/level (or equivalent) of an apprenticeship program in one of the Red Seal trades. Is... More >
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Alberta Volunteer Centres
Banff Volunteer Centre 302 Buffalo Street, Box 5148 Banff AB, T1L 1G3 Telephone: 403.762.4466 Fax: 403.762.4463 info@volunteerbanff.ab.ca www.volunteerbanff.ab.ca Volunteer Calgary Suite 1170, Kahanoff Centre 1202 Centre St SE Calgary, AB T2G 5A5 Telephone: 403.265.5633 Fax: 403.265.8981 info@volunteercalgary.ab.ca www.volunteercalgary.ab.ca Volunteer Centre of Camrose and District 3, 4516 รข?? 54 Street Camrose,... More >
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Volunteer Centres in Yukon
Yukon Volunteer Bureau P.O. Box 31107 3123 3rd Avenue Whitehorse, Y1A 5P7 tel: 867-456-4304 fax: 867-456-4302 www.volunteerbureau.yk.ca info@volunteerbureau.yk.ca More >
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What is a Volunteer Centre?
Volunteer Centres are non-profit organizations or groups dedicated to fostering and developing volunteerism in the community as a whole. While other organizations contribute to sustaining our national heritage of volunteering through their programs and outreach, Volunteer Centres serve the broadest membership: including volunteers and organizations/volunteer-involving organizations. Volunteer Centres reach across... More >
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Atlantic Canada Volunteer Centres
Miramichi Volunteer Services Inc. 65 Henry Street Miramichi, E1V 1N4 Tel: 506-622-6565 Fax: 506-622-2933 mvsi@nb.aibn.com Centre de benevolat de la peninsule acadienne 220, boul St Pierre Ouest, suite 100 Caraquet, E1W 1A5 Tel: 506-727-1860 Fax: 506-727-1862 centbene@nbnet.nb.ca Volunteer Centre of Southeastern New Brunswick Inc. 236 St. George Street, Suite 315... More >
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Ironworker (Generalist)
Ironworkers (generalists) work with both structural/ornamental and reinforcing steel materials. They install structural/ornamental steel components, precast concrete members and glued laminated timber products (glulam) and place reinforcing steel in commercial, industrial, institutional and large residential buildings, towers, bridges and stadiums. They erect pre-engineered buildings and ornamental ironwork such as curtain... More >