Human Resources in Canada's Built Heritage Sector: Mapping the ...

HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’S BUILT HERITAGE SECTORPlasterersOverview of Occupation:• Plasterers remove degraded plaster and apply new plaster coats to lathe.• Plasterers remove degraded stucco apply new stucco to mesh.• Plasterers may apply decorative finishes to plaster.• Plasterers also may apply specialty finish products that have a cementitious base.• Plasterers install, and in some cases fabricate from a mould, decorative plaster items.Training and Education:• Completion of an apprenticeship ranging from 4800 hours to 5400 hours. In-school training rangesfrom 0 to 20 weeks.• In all provinces, training is delivered through colleges. In some regions, training is delivered throughindustry-based training centres.• The trade is apprenticeable and certifiable in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and B.C.Occupational or Professional Regulation:• Where the trade is certified, it is voluntary, except Quebec, where it is compulsory.Key Skills unique to the Built Heritage Sector:• Ability to clean and repair or touch-up existing surface work.• Ability to apply new surface materials in a manner consistent with existing surface work.Associations or Administrative Bodies concerned with Professional orOccupational Standards, Licensing or Certification:• Trade certification is provincially administered. Trade standards are overseen by provincial/tradeadvisory committees.• Unions:• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades• International Union of Plasterers and Cement Masons• Quebec Federation of Labour (Quebec only)• Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association• Employers are organized at the provincial level.NOC:• 7284 Plasterers, Drywall Installers and Finishers and LathersPotential Issues:• The predominant demand in the market place is for drywall tapers. Except in Quebec, only a minorityof apprentices completed their training, after acquiring taping skills. In provinces where plasterers arenot a certified trade, skill shortages are likely to be even more marked, especially in the application ofdecorative or specialty finishes.108©CULTURAL HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL