Cement Finishers
Job description
These individuals pour, repair, and finish concrete on various surfaces (sidewalks, stairs, floors, paving, etc.). They waterproof surfaces and apply repair mortars. They produce cement or concrete ornamental wall coverings. They are self-employed or work for:
- Residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial construction companies
- Manufacturers of precast concrete products
- Cement companies
- The federal and provincial governments
Environment
- Climatic conditions
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Nontoxic dust
- Uncontrolled ambient temperature
- Hazardous workplaces
- Noise
- Vibration
Main tasks
- Prepare the concrete for pouring.
- Participate in large area pours.
- Form and install steel reinforcement.
- Level the concrete surface according to specifications.
- Interpret plans and technical drawings.
- Install accessories such as anchor bolts, steel plates, and door sills.
- Apply hardeners and sealers to surfaces.
Advancement and mobility
- Qualified Cement Applicators receive a Red Seal endorsement upon successful completion of the Interprovincial Standards Examination.
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
Also required
- Certificate of qualification.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Solving complex problems
- Time management
- Critical thought
- Information processing
- Result evaluation
- Data collection
- Quality control analysis
- Coordination
- Oral expression
- Active listening
- Judgment and decision-making
Abilities
- Manual dexterity
- Core strength
- Limb coordination
- Near vision
- Control accuracy
- Hand-arm stability
- Physical flexibility in extension
- Endurance
- Dynamic strength
- Information organization
- Deductive reasoning
- Awareness of issues
- Visualization
- Selective attention
- Classification
- Oral comprehension
- Digital dexterity
- Static muscle power
- Verbal skills
- Speech recognition
- Distance vision
- Speech clarity
- Speed control
- Overall coordination of the body
- Depth perception
- Inductive reasoning
- Reaction time
Knowledge and attributes
- Capacity to work under pressure
- Autonomy
- Sense of responsibility
- Capacity to adapt
- Capacity to work in a team
- Knowledge of mathematics
- Rigour
- Respect standards and regulations
- Assiduity and punctuality
- Knowledge of buildings and construction
Interests
- Make, build, install
- Work manually
- Exercer une activité sportive ou physique
- Work outdoors
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
- Social
- People with this profile prefer to be in contact with others, in particular to entertain, help or teach them.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Concrete finishers (CNP 73100)
Skill type
Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
Related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026
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