Some of the highest job-vacancy rates in Canada are found within the skilled trades sector. The industry is experiencing large rates of retirement, and there are not enough new people coming into the field to replace them. When you add in new job creation due to industry growth, you can understand why the skilled trades sector has one of the strongest job outlooks in the country.

Along with high-paying jobs, the skilled trades sector can also offer more job security over other fields. For example, unlike some areas of technology, most skilled trades jobs cannot be relocated overseas, and many of them cannot be automated.

Due to the projected labour shortage of skilled trades professionals, the government has been implementing many initiatives to encourage people to train for skilled trades careers. If you are interested in training for a skilled trades job, then you should definitely contact your local employment office to see if there are any programs that could help you achieve an education. In the meantime, check out some of the jobs that can offer you good pay along with solid growth.

Civil Engineer—Play a part in shaping Canadian landscapes by planning, designing, and managing construction projects. Civil engineers are involved with new construction as well as existing structures. That includes airports, bridges, buildings, dams, roads, and water and sanitation systems. You may spend your time determining project requirements and construction specifications, recommending building and construction materials, reviewing civil design and survey work, conducting feasibility studies, preparing contract documents, and performing many other engineering-related tasks. Most employment opportunities are found with engineering companies, government agencies, and construction firms.

Top-end hourly wage—$60.10 or more
Median hourly wage—$38.46
Estimated job openings—17,000
Construction Manager—Obtain a position with real potential. According to WorkBC, construction manager positions rank among the top five high-paying jobs in BC.13 In fact, the highest earners in the northeast region of the province make more than $70.00 per hour. Additionally, construction manager also ranks among some of the highest-paying jobs in Alberta with senior construction managers earning an average of almost $250,000 annually, according to 2015 data.13 So if you can picture yourself managing activities and workers in the residential, commercial, or industrial construction sector, then this could be an ideal career path for you.

Top-end hourly wage—$60.58 or more
Median hourly wage—$38.46
Estimated job openings—26,700
Longshore Worker—Opt for a position in which you can work at a dock moving cargo on and off ships and other vessels. You could be responsible for operating mechanical towers, winches and other hoisting devices, and industrial trucks and tractors. Although this is a high-paying career path, it is only an option in the provinces that have open access to ports, such as British Columbia and Nova Scotia.

Top-end hourly wage—$42.30 or more
Median hourly wage—$35.00
Estimated job openings—48,000
Electrician—Take on the important work of installing new electrical systems and working on existing systems in residential or commercial settings. On any given day, you could find yourself taking care of just about anything from interpreting electrical drawings and installing light fixtures to testing the continuity of circuits to troubleshooting and repairing electrical faults.

Top-end hourly wage—$45.00 or more
Median hourly wage—$30.91
Estimated job openings—39,200
Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanic—Prepare for a critical role in which you maintain and repair heavy machinery that is used in the agriculture, construction, forestry, landscaping, mining, oil and gas, and transportation sectors, as well as other related industries. You could find yourself working on bulldozers, excavators, graders, and other heavy machines. You may check them for potential problems, perform routine maintenance, diagnose operator-reported issues, conduct needed repairs, and service machine attachments.

Top-end hourly wage—$45.00 or more
Median hourly wage—$30.00
Estimated job openings—23,600
Welder—Begin a career that allows you to work with your hands in order to join and repair metal products. You will likely learn how to use a variety of welding, soldering, and brazing equipment. And you could even develop your skills within a specialty area. Possible specialities include custom fabrication, pipeline construction welding, and shipbuilding. Welding jobs can be found in construction, industrial, and manufacturing settings where you could be doing almost anything from constructing aircraft or heavy machines to welding underwater oilrigs.

Top-end hourly wage—$40.00 or more
Median hourly wage—$24.75
Estimated job openings—30,800
Carpenter—Develop the skills needed to build structures, structural components, and even beautifully crafted pieces of furniture. The daily work of a carpenter can include interpreting blueprints, creating layouts, preparing construction materials, building foundations, erecting walls, and completing renovations. The most common employers for carpentry jobs are carpentry contractors, construction companies, and organizations with maintenance departments.

Top-end hourly wage—$37.51 or more
Median hourly wage—$25.00
Estimated job openings—39,900
Automotive Service Technician—Transform your passion for working on vehicles into a viable, good-paying career. Just imagine spending your days diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining the mechanical, electronic, and electrical systems and components within a wide range of vehicles. You could use manual and computerized equipment to test and repair systems related to engines and drive trains, steering, fuel, emission control, climate control, and other automotive technologies. You may be able to find a job with a dealership, repair shop, or other automotive maintenance company.

Top-end hourly wage—$37.00 or more
Median hourly wage—$24.00
Estimated job openings—31,400
Truck Driver—Spend your days enjoying life out on the open road as a short- or long-haul truck driver. Canada is a large country, and truck drivers take on the crucial role of transporting materials and goods around cities and between regions, provinces, and even countries. Short-haul truck drivers usually work within the cities or regions where they live and return home at the end of each shift. In contrast, long-haul truck drivers may spend many days or weeks transporting goods or materials before arriving back home.

Top-end hourly wage—$32.22 or more
Median hourly wage—$21.00
Estimated job openings—135,800