Glaziers
Career Overview
Glaziers cut, fit, install and replace glass in residential, commercial and industrial buildings, on exterior walls of buildings and other structures, and in furniture and other products.
People in these occupations:
- Are also responsible for installing metal frameworks for glass and building the walls of buildings made of suspended glass panels
- Work with pre-glazed and panelized glazing systems
- Work for construction glass installation contractors, retail service and repair shops and glass fabrication shops
- May be self-employed
- Must be able to work both independently and in a team setting
- Should have good manual dexterity, as well as have good eyesight for measuring and examining glass for flaws
- Should be able to understand door hardware and locking/closing types and systems
- Should have mathematical ability
- Should be physically fit and able to lift heavy objects, as well as be comfortable working at heights
- Should also have a clean driving record and be able to operate and run elevated platforms and equipment
Job Titles
Duties
Glaziers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Read and interpret blueprints and specifications to determine type and thickness of glass, frame, installation procedure and materials required
- Measure and mark glass and cut glass using glass cutters or computerized cutter
- Tint glass and create patterns on glass by etching, sandblasting or painting designs
- Assemble, erect and dismantle scaffolds, rigging and hoisting equipment
- Position glass panes into frames and secure glass using clips, points or mouldings
- Assemble and install prefabricated glass, mirrors or glass products on walls, ceilings or exteriors of building
- Fabricate metal frames for glass installation
- Install, fit, fabricate and attach architectural metals or related substitute products in commercial and residential buildings
- Install pre-cut mirrors and opaque and transparent glass panels in frames to form exterior walls of buildings
- Replace glass in furniture and other products
- Prepare and install skylights, showcases and aquariums and stained or other special glass in churches, museums, sports and other establishments
- Repair and service residential windows, doors and other glass supporting structures, and replace damaged glass or faulty sealant
- May prepare cost estimates for customers or clients
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
1,780% Employed Full Time
57%Glaziers work a standard 40-hour workweek, however, some overtime may also be required to complete projects and meet deadlines.
Work is done in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments, depending on the job. Outdoor settings may include construction sites or highrise buildings. Outdoor work may also involve working at heights on scaffolding, as well as working under various weather conditions. Indoor work is typically done when repairing or replacing glass in vehicles or furniture.
Glaziers take safety precautions since there is a risk of injury due to the use of cutting tools or from broken glass. Workers are also required to lift heavy objects, which increases the risk of back injury.
Some travel may also be required. Workers should also attend and understand safety programs related to their work.
Career Pathways
With appropriate education and experience, glaziers may progress to supervisory positions, such as foreman, maintenance manager or service manager or they may start their own businesses.
Other career paths include consulting, estimating, project coordination and management, or sales with industry-related products.
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Completion of secondary school is recommended, but is not required. While trade certification is not required to be an glazier in B.C., it will likely increase job opportunities. Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program is required to be eligible for trade certification.
Apprenticeship programs:
- Can be started in secondary school, through entry-level training (foundation programs) at colleges and technical institutes or by direct entry
- Require workers to find a sponsor employer who is willing to participate in the program
Upon completion of the four-year apprenticeship program and training, as well as successfully passing the interprovincial exam, glaziers are certified as journeypersons. Once individuals pass the interprovincial exam (the final exam for this trade), they will achieve certification and will automatically have a Red Seal endorsement through SkilledTradesBC.
Trainees may also be certified in this trade through the challenge process. If an individual completes 9,600 hours of work in the trade, they can challenge the examination without technical training. Workers are certified if they achieve a minimum score of 70 percent. For more information please see SkilledTradesBC's website at https://skilledtradesbc.ca.
Glaziers who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.
For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.
Contact SkilledTradeBC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Trades training resources
Visit our trades training page at www.workbc.ca/trades to learn about apprenticeship and trades training in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
Top Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
1,780Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 35 | 2.0% |
| Kootenay | 15 | 0.8% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,255 | 70.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 10 | 0.6% |
| Northeast | 15 | 0.8% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 180 | 10.1% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 270 | 15.2% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
530Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 10 | 0.8% |
| Kootenay | Not available | Not available |
| Mainland/Southwest | 400 | 1.6% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 70 | 0.9% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 50 | -0.1% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Construction | 420 |
| Manufacturing | 50 |
| Retail Trade | 30 |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 20 |
| Wholesale Trade | 10 |
Insights from Industry
Job growth for glaziers largely depends on trends in the Construction, Manufacturing and Retail industries, where the work is mainly concentrated. Work in the Retail and Manufacturing sectors is less affected by economic cycles than in the Construction industry. Construction activity is sensitive to factors such as interest rates, population growth and the cost of materials.
Industry sources report an insufficient number of people entering this occupation, mainly due to a lack of knowledge about the job.
Resources
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British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA)www.bccassn.com
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BuildForce Canadawww.buildforce.ca/en
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Canadian Glass Association (CGA)canadianglassassociation.com
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Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia (CHBA BC)chbabc.org
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Construction Labour Relations Association (CLR) of BCwww.clra-bc.com
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Fenestration Association of BC (FEN-BC)www.fen-bc.org
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Finishing Trades Institute of BC (FTI BC)ftibc.ca
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Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International Unionwww.gmpiu.org
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Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) of British Columbiawww.icba.bc.ca
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IUPAT DC38 – The Finishing Tradesdc38.ca
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National Glass Association (NGA)www.glass.org
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Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP)www.stepbc.ca
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SkilledTradesBCskilledtradesbc.ca/