Jobs Where You Make or Fix Things ✓ Easy Reading

These jobs are best for people who like to work with their hands. They also like to use tools and machines.

Here is a list of jobs where you make or fix things:

Make or fix things: buildings

• Carpenters build and repair things. They use wood, steel, and other materials. This is an Easy Reading job profile.
• Floor covering installers put in new floor coverings. For example, carpet or vinyl flooring. Floor covering installers also repair and replace floor coverings. They work in homes and businesses. This is an Easy Reading job profile.
• Labourers work on construction sites. They move materials and equipment. They take down buildings. They clean up construction sites. This is an Easy Reading job profile.
• Roofers repair old roofs. They work on new roofs. They prepare the roof. They put on shingles or other roofing material. This is an Easy Reading job profile.
• Bricklayers put in bricks and other materials. For example, concrete bricks or stone. Bricklayers build and repair walls, patios, fireplaces, and other things.
• Concrete finishers use concrete to make things. For example, concrete floors, driveways, and sidewalks. They also finish the concrete. They make the concrete look good.
• Lathers work inside buildings. They put up metal or wood frames. For example, for walls and ceilings. They may cover frames with drywall.
• Painters work on the inside and outside of buildings. They put on paint and wallpaper. They use brushes, rollers, and spray guns.
• Tilesetters work on the inside and outside of buildings. They put tile on walls and floors. They use tiles, stone, and other materials.
• Welders use welding equipment. They join metal parts. Welders may work in a factory or machine shop. Or they may work outdoors on large metal structures. For example, tanks or industrial pipes

Make or fix things: machines

• Appliance repairers install and repair appliances. For example, stoves, washing machines, freezers, and dishwashers. Service technicians go to people’s homes. They also go to restaurants, hotels, and stores.
• Auto body repairers fix damaged cars and trucks. They repair or replace parts on the outside of cars and trucks. They paint and fix things inside a car too.
• Canadian Forces members work in the military. Some jobs in the military are the same as jobs in the community. For example, the military has jobs for carpenters, cooks, or drivers.
• Car or truck accessories installers add extra things to cars and trucks. For example, heaters, speakers, remote starters, and truck box liners.

Make or fix things: oil and gas wells

• Leasehands are part of a drilling crew (team). Drilling crews drill for oil and gas. Leasehands load and unload trucks. They clean tools. They shovel snow. They put things away. Leasehand is one type of drilling and service worker. There are several types of workers on oil and gas rigs.

Make or fix things: other jobs

• Production workers use machines. They help to make products for sale. For example, plastic products or food products. They may work on a production line. This is an Easy Reading job profile.
• Craftspersons often design and make things. Each thing is one of a kind. For example, craftspersons make pottery, stained glass, quilts, or furniture.
• Eyeglass or contact lens technicians put eyeglasses together. They repair glasses. The technicians also grind lenses (make the lenses smooth).
• Jewellers make and repair jewellery. Some jewellers work on a production line. Some work in stores.
• Locksmiths install and repair locks. They work on many different locks. For example, in homes, cars, stores, banks, and factories.
• Miners sometimes work underground. They use machines. Miners often build tunnels and take out ore (rock with minerals).
• Printing machine operators use copiers and printing machines to print things on paper.
• Security alarm installers install alarm systems. They work on many different alarms. For example, in homes, businesses, and factories.

If you think you might like a job where you make or fix things, continue reading. You'll learn more about what it's like to work these jobs.

Complete the following exercises to learn more about jobs where you make or fix things. 

What will you do next?

Now you have 2 choices. 

1. You can read about other types of jobs

There are 7 other types of jobs to explore:

• Jobs Where You Clean Things
• Jobs Where You Drive or Move Things
• Jobs Where You Help or Serve People
• Jobs Where You Prepare Food
• Jobs Where You Protect Things or People
• Jobs Where You Sell Things to People
• Jobs Where You Work With Living Things

What other types of jobs interest you? It’s good to have a few job choices. Review your check marks on the What Do You Like to Do? exercise. Did you choose other types of jobs? You can read about those jobs. You can also ask your career advisor or tutor to help you choose another type of job.

2. Make some job choices

You have made a list of job choices from the types of jobs that interest you. You are ready for the next step. Now read Narrow Down Your Job Choices. It has exercises to help you find the jobs that are best for you. You'll also learn how to find more information on your top job choices.