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Sawfiler |
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Sawfilers repair, set and sharpen blades for band saws, chain saws, handsaws, circular saws and other types of saws.
Sawfilers work in the lumber and wood product manufacturing industries where their services are needed to keep lumber and wood products processing plants operating smoothly. They are responsible for the overall maintenance of sawmill blades and knives such as chipper knives. Maintenance of sawfiling equipment is a very important aspect of the job.
Sawfilers use hand tools, filing machines and welding equipment to:
They may also work with millwrights or other personnel to align equipment so lumber is cut straight. The use of computers, sophisticated electronic equipment and lasers is common in this trade.
Sawfilers may be required to live and work in remote areas where sawmills are located. They work indoors, usually in a "saw room" or shop. The work is noisy and involves some heavy lifting. Sawfilers work 40 hours a week plus overtime when required and may have to work shifts.
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy a variety of precision work that requires some creativity.
To be successful in their trade, sawfilers need:
Computer skills and programming knowledge are definite assets.
Sawfilers are employed in the lumber and wood products industries, usually in sawmills and pulp mills. Some employers require their employees to be union members; others do not. Employment prospects for sawfilers vary with conditions in the logging industry.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $14 to $22 an hour plus benefits.
There are limited opportunities for sawfilers to advance to supervisory positions.
To work as a Sawfiler in Alberta, a person must:
Sawfilers learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training. Upon successful completion, they are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A sawfiler who holds a valid recognized credential that does not have a Red Seal may apply for:
Sawfilers who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Qualification Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a valid recognized credential are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a sawfiler is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1680 hours of on-the-job training and 4 weeks of technical training each year.
To learn the skills required of a Sawfiler in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice sawfilers earn at least 50 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 60 percent in the second, 70 percent in the third, and 85 percent in the fourth year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for Sawfiler apprentices, and a time to attend training
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
The Sawfiler trade does not participate in the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program.
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who holds a valid recognized credential, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require Alberta documentation as proof that the holder is allowed to work in the trade or that the holder's credential is recognized.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on a recognized credential, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
- a certified circular sawfiler must have at least 2,475 hours and 18 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a sawfiler
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the review of the application, the assessment and confirmation of the applicant's work experience hours/months, the administration of the applicant’s demonstration of competency, and one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
