Career Profiles

Support Trades

Unique skills that support production efforts in every organization!

Support Trade employees, for example electricians, machinists, ironworkers, welders, painters, etc. have post-secondary education, and may have completed an apprenticeship. Support Trades are skilled in a trade that is not necessarily related to advanced wood processing. Their work however can involve maintenance and repair on machinery used in the advanced wood processing industry. Salaries range from $21,000 to $50,000 annually depending on the level of skill and experience.

Support Trades work up to 40 hours per week and may occasionally be required to work overtime if there is an emergency repair. Their work is usually in the production area and often involves working with others. Travel is unlikely unless it is necessary to travel to a job site for a specific work request.  

Support Trades enjoy their work and take great pride in their abilities. They have an aptitude for solving problems. They work well as part of a team or independently. The most important essential skills are reading, numeracy, working with others, and oral communication.

Requires: Trades Certificate, Administration and Support Experience

Millwright Apprentice

Herman Hildebrand is a millwright apprentice at Spruceland Millworks Inc. in Acheson, Alberta. “I’ve always been around wood. I grew up working in the woods and in the bush, working in sawmills in Paraguay. It’s so neat working with wood.”

Herman immigrated to Canada in 1984 and started working for an electrical company. In 1987 he began his career in the advanced wood processing sector as a furniture sprayer before moving to Spruceland Millworks. While working at Spruceland Millworks, Herman attended the millwright program at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) on a part-time basis for eight weeks a year.

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