Glazier

By Emma Ruhl
Overview

A Glazier measures, handles, cuts, prepares, installs and repairs all types of glass, mirrors and glass substitutes, typically in
buildings or on the exterior walls of buildings.
Glazier is a nationally designated trade under the Inter-provincial Red Seal program.
When Glaziers are working on commercial buildings, they are often involved in the layout, preparation, fabrication and
replacement of architectural metal components like storefront systems, entranceways, windows, skylights and curtain wall
systems.
When they work on commercial buildings they can be expected to work from scaffolds to man oeuvre glass panels lifted
to them by cranes. While there are a number of Glaziers working in building construction and renovation projects, there
are many others who replace windows and windshields in vehicles and install skylights and special glass in churches,
museums and other establishments.
Glaziers are now becoming involved in manufacturing furniture, display cabinets, bathroom fixtures and decorative
windows. In other cases, they create custom-designed glass installations for residential and commercial use.

ITA BC
Job Description
Duties
Follow blueprints or specifications
Remove any old or broken glass before installing
replacement glass
Cut glass to the specified size and shape
Make or install sashes or moldings for glass installation
Fasten glass into sashes or frames with clips, moldings, or
other types of fasteners
Add weather seal or putty around pane edges to seal joints
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Work Environment
As in many other construction trades, the work is
physically demanding. Glaziers spend most of the day
standing, bending, or stretching, and they often must lift
and maneuver heavy, cumbersome materials, such as large
glass plates.
Typical injuries for glaziers include cuts from tools and
glass, and falls from ladders and scaffolding.
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Salary

The average rate for a Glazier in Salary

Vancouver, British Columbia is
$24.39 per hour. With an annual
salary between $41,000 to
$72,000. Experiences has a
moderate effect on pay for this job.

Payscale.com

$17 $20 $25 $30 $33

 Prospective glaziers need a high school diploma or GED to qualify for entry to apprenticeship programs. To prepare for this
postsecondary training, individuals should develop their math skills while still in high school.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified Glazier, called a
journeyperson.
As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working on the job site. Wages start at about 55
per cent of a journeypersons hourly rate and increase during your apprenticeship until you reach the full rate.
Entering an apprenticeship program
Requirements for glazier apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. In most provinces and territories, you must have a

Post Secondary
Grade 9 education or equivalent to enter a glazier apprenticeship program.
Some provinces and territories offer secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work
towards a career as a Glazier.
Program length
Apprenticeship training programs for glaziers vary across Canada, but generally involve four 12-month periods, including at
Suggested
least 6,480 hours of on-the-job training, four six-week blocks of technical training and a final certificate exam.
Careersinconstruction.ca
Related work experience or completion of a glazier program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required
to complete your apprenticeship.
Certification
Certification is required in Quebec, and is available but voluntary in all other provinces and territories. Even where
certification is voluntary, it is still recommended, as it tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional
and it also helps you get jobs.
To be certified as a Glazier, you usually need to complete a four-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully
complete the required on-the-job training, technical training and exams, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.
You may be eligible for certification in some provinces and territories if you have more than four years of on-the-job
experience and some high school, college or industry courses for glaziers.
As a certified Glazier you may write the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal. With a
Red Seal, you can work as a Glazier anywhere in Canada.
Skills Needed To Be Successful

Read and interpret drawings and specifications to determine the

materials required, location of framing and procedures for
installation

Measure openings for size and shape, mark and cut glass panes to
fit, secure the panes in place, weatherproof joints, and assemble
and install aluminum window parts

Install, fit, fabricate and attach architectural metals or related

substitute products in commercial and residential buildings

Assemble parts of pre-fabricated glass units such as revolving

doors, display cases, plate glass, shower doors, store fronts,
automatic doors, sky lights, sloped glazing, curtain walls, barrel
vaults, solariums and other support structures

Install and maintain pre-fabricated glass, mirrors or glass products

on walls, ceilings, fronts of buildings, handrails and walkways

Replace safety glass, windows, windshields, and glass in furniture

and other products

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Employment Outlook

Employment of glaziers is projected to grow

11 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than
Employed
the average for all occupations. Demand for
glaziers stems both from new construction
and the need to repair and replace windows
and other glass in existing buildings.
Glaziers held about 46,700 jobs in 2012, of
which 61 percent were employed in the
foundation, structure, and building exterior foundation,structure and building exterior contractors
contractors industry. Another 14 percent industry
were employed in the building material and building material and supplies dealers industry
supplies dealers industry. About 8 percent
of glaziers were self-employed self employed
Bureau of labor Statistics
Who I Contacted

People Questions
Peak Glass What are the basic duties you would
complete on a normal work day?
Angle Glass What is the usual environment you would
be working in?
Pro Wide Glass
When employing people what traits, skills
and past education do you look for?
What is the percentage of men and woman
on your team?
What is the "Best" age to become a glazier?
Would I be suited for
this job?

Or consider it a career possibility?

Thanks For
Watching

By Emma Ruhl