Education / Careers

Clear Career Potential

Whenever you see a shimmering glass-sheathed highrise, a housing project or a storefront window, chances are you are seeing the work of a glazier. Glaziers are the professionals who measure, cut, prepare, install and repair glass and its associated metal structures.

Glazing is a time-honored trade dating back thousands of years. Today, glaziers have never been more in demand. There is BC with the residential and commercial construction booming, there is an urgent need to hire hundreds of people to work in glazing related jobs.

Did you know?

• The 2010 Olympic projects alone will demand at least 150 new glazing professionals
• Residential construction is expected to continue a healthy growth, resulting in an increased demand for manufacturing and installation of windows, skylights and doors
• The Vancouver Convention Centre requires 1.5 acres of sheathed glass, including a 11 storey solid glass wall. About 100 workers will be needed for this major project alone.
• Dozens more glass sheathed buildings are on the drawing board for BC.

Clear Opportunities

Glazing opportunities in BC and across North America need to recruit qualified people as fast as possible to overcome a serious skills shortage. A recent survey of BC Glazing companies shows hundreds of new openings will be created in the industry over the next decade. There are 1,060 glaziers in BC. Almost a quarter of them will retire in the next few years plus new jobs will be created to meet the economic demand.

Clear Demand

• Construction has provided the largest number of BC’s new jobs in recent years and is expected to keep growing.
• The shortage of glaziers in BC –now and in the next 5 to 10 years – has been identified by the Glazing Contractors Association of BC in partnership with the Window and Door Manufactures Association of BC, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 38 and other industry representatives.
• Glazing employment is expected to increase by an average 1.9% per year compared with 1.4% for all jobs in BC.

Glazing at a Glance

• Excellent job placement opportunities in BC
• A great job for men or women
• Not always associated with heights
• Ideal for people who love the outdoors, although there is plenty of opportunity for indoor work in the manufacturing, fabrication and service sector.