Exploring a Career in Trowel Trades: Opportunities and Training in British Columbia

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The Trowel Trades Training Association emphasizes the importance of careers in the trowel trades in British Columbia, highlighting the various opportunities available and the recent increase in funding for skilled trades training.

Young individuals with a penchant for hands-on work are encouraged to consider a profession in the trowel trades, which encompass bricklaying, stone masonry, marble masonry, and tile setting. Ira Maheu, the apprenticeship and training coordinator at the Trowel Trades Training Association (TTTA) in British Columbia, advocates for these careers, stating, "The trowel trades are a great career and there is plenty of work available for tradespeople." The versatility of bricklayers highlights their skill set, as they can engage in constructing and repairing a wide array of structures, including walls, floors, arches, pavements, fireplaces, chimneys, smokestacks, furnaces, and kilns. Maheu elaborates, "The work can vary in complexity from a simple masonry walkway to an ornate exterior on a multi-level building," indicating the diverse range of tasks that bricklayers can undertake. This trade finds applications in various sectors, such as industrial, commercial, institutional (ICI), and residential construction. "Due to the diversity of applications and industries, there is no shortage of work available in the trade," Maheu assures.
Since its inception in 1993, the TTTA has been instrumental in training both union and non-union apprentices registered with SkilledTradesBC, the governing body responsible for trades training in British Columbia. The training program typically spans four years and integrates technical instruction with on-the-job training experiences. "The courses encompass both theoretical and practical components," Maheu explains, noting that most training occurs in a shop setting to simulate real-world scenarios encountered by bricklayers.
Upon completion of their training, apprentices are eligible to obtain Red Seal certification, a credential recognized nationwide. The TTTA operates from a centrally located facility in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver, which includes a classroom, a boardroom often utilized for instruction, and a spacious shop area capable of accommodating two classes simultaneously. The organization offers courses led by instructors specializing in concrete finishing and bricklaying. The Bricklayer Level 1 course commenced on September 8 and will conclude on October 16, while the Concrete Finisher Level 1 course is set to begin on November 16 and run through December 18. Additionally, a new bricklaying course will start in late October, with other courses scheduled to kick off in January 2027. "We’re here to make sure you have the technical knowledge and hands-on training needed to step into a very rewarding career," Maheu emphasizes.
In a significant development for the skilled trades sector, the British Columbia provincial government has announced a doubling of its funding for trades training, including the trowel trades, with a $241 million investment spread over three years. "This is exciting news for our apprentices, future apprentices, and trainers at the Trowel Trades Training Association," TTTA stated in a recent announcement. "We hope this investment allows more British Columbians to pursue rewarding careers in the skilled trades." This increased funding signifies a commitment to enhancing the skill set of the workforce and addressing the demand for trained tradespeople in the province.

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