Trade Programs: Glazier

For more information about this trade, contact the training co-ordinator.

What does a Glazier do?

A glazier works mainly with glass, which requires careful handling, glazing, setting, fabrication and preparation.

Care must be exercised in the removal and installation of all types of glass for building fixtures and other uses. Workers in this trade must be able to work with metal and other substitute products to make frames and other attachments for commercial and residential buildings. The work may have to be prepared either inside or outside a building, and scaffolding may be used in installations. Safe work habits are important in this trade. As a glazier, you can expect to do the following jobs:

• cut, prepare, fabricate or otherwise handle all glass materials for all types of buildings and fixtures
• glaze, set, attach, install, remove all types of glass material for buildings, fixtures and other uses
• install, jett, attach architectural metals or related substitute products in commercial and residential buildings

What skills/abilities are required?

If you enjoy working with glass, in construction or renovation or in the auto industry, and if you have a good aptitude, you may want to be a glazier.

How long is the apprenticeship program?

The apprenticeship is four years consisting of four levels. Practical and technical training is a minimum of 1800 hours per level. About 80 per cent of the time is spent learning practical on-the-job skills under the supervision of a certified journeyperson and 20 per cent consists of learning the theoretical and technical aspects of the trade through in-school training.

The in-school training is delivered by the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, AB. To cover costs of attending technical training out-of-province, funding benefits such as employment insurance, mileage, expenses and living allowances are available.

What is taught during in-school/technical training?

In an apprenticeship, you must attend periods of in-school training. Subject areas of study for a Glazier include:

• Trade-related Mathematics
• Safety and Shop Procedures
• Tools: Types, Use and Care
• Building Codes
• Shop Drawing, Blueprint Reading and Layout
• Principles and Practices of Working with Glass: Cutting, Edging, Glazing, Drilling, Installing and Framing
• Fabricating Frames
• Types of Entrances
• Theory and Practices of Working with Aluminum

What are the entrance requirements?

Senior Years Apprenticeship Option: Begin your apprenticeship training in high school. A minimum age of 16 years in required.

General Admission: A Grade 12 or equivalent high school academic standing including courses in Math and Physics is recommended . A minimum of Grade 9 is required. If you are 19 years or older and do not hold a high school diploma, you can also qualify as a Mature Student. Prior Learning Recognition and Assessment may be required.

Trades Qualification: If you are experienced in the trade, but do not hold a Certificate of Qualification, you may become a certified journeyperson based on years of proven industry experience and successful completion of the Red Seal Examination. A Trades Qualification Application and trade specific work experience form must be submitted. Trades professionals whose entrance readiness is less than that required, must take appropriate upgrading.

For additional details on entrance requirements and how to begin your apprenticeship or obtain certification, see section on "How to Start".

Do I get a certificate?

When you successfully complete all your required levels of practical experience and technical training, you write an interprovincial examination. You must score at least 70 per cent or better to qualify for a “Red Seal” endorsed interprovincial certificate confirming your status as a certified journeyperson.

Your “Red Seal” endorsed Certificate of Qualification as a journeyperson in this trade is recognized throughout Canada.

What salary can I expect as an apprentice?

As required under the Glazier Regulation, an employer must pay an apprentice when not in school, a percentage of what a journeyperson would earn. This must be at least 60 per cent during the first six months of an apprenticeship. Every six months an apprentice receives a five per cent increment. In the last six months of level four, an apprentice must be paid at least 95 per cent of what a journeyperson would earn.

Apprentices who work for unionized employers are entitled to the wage rate specified by the collective agreement if it is greater than those wages in the trade regulation.

Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care and training benefits. In total, the value of the benefits can range from 20 per cent to 30 per cent over and above the basic hourly pay rate.

For current percentages and wages, download the training wage schedule

What are my career prospects?

Glaziers are employed in commercial and home building industries. Employment may be seasonal and the employment outlook is stable.