Skilled Labourer (Modular Buildings)

Company: Aerotek (Contract-to-Hire)
Location: Ottawa, ON
Pay: $25.00 – $27.00 per hour
Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Clean Professional Job Summary

Aerotek is seeking a versatile and dependable Skilled Labourer to join a specialized team in Ottawa focused on the maintenance and refurbishment of modular buildings. This is a Contract-to-Hire position, meaning it serves as a gateway to a permanent career with a stable, full-time schedule. You will be responsible for ensuring that office units, construction trailers, and modular structures are in peak condition before they are deployed to clients. The role requires a “jack-of-all-trades” skill set, combining carpentry, flooring, and general mechanical repairs with yard operations like forklift usage and material organization.

Key Responsibilities

Structural Repairs: Perform minor carpentry, drywall, and cabinetry work; replace floor tiles and repair interior fixtures.
Unit Refurbishment: Conduct cleaning, painting, and general aesthetic “recovery” of modular units to meet customer standards.
Logistics & Material Handling: Load and unload furniture, stairs, and structural components; assist with picking and packing material orders.
Equipment Operation: Operate a counterbalance forklift (certification provided if necessary) to move units and materials throughout the yard.
Site Maintenance: Work in a team-oriented yard environment, moving between indoor shops and outdoor storage areas to access units.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Experience: 3–5 years in construction or trades, with specific proficiency in carpentry, drywall, and flooring.
Technical Proficiency: Expert use of hand and power tools is mandatory.
Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work comfortably in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Reliability: Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to reach the Ottawa site.
Compliance: Willingness to undergo a background check as a condition of employment.

Market & Industry Context: Modular Construction (2026)

As of March 2026, the modular and prefabricated building industry in Ontario is experiencing a significant boom, driven by the need for rapid infrastructure in the tech and housing sectors.

Industry Trends & Statistics:

Sector Growth (2026): The Canadian modular construction market is projected to grow by 6.5% annually through 2028. Skilled labourers specializing in modular maintenance are in high demand as companies shift toward sustainable, reusable office solutions.
Wage Benchmarks: The pay range of $25–$27/hr is highly competitive for the Ottawa region. In 2026, the average entry-level general labourer in Ontario earns $20.50/hr, placing this “Skilled” role in a premium tier.
Demographics & Diversity: According to 2026 labor reports for the Ontario construction sector, Indigenous peoples represent approximately 7.2% of the skilled trades workforce, while visible minorities account for 24%, a record high reflecting the industry’s aggressive recruitment and inclusion strategies.
The “Contract-to-Hire” Trend: In 2026, 68% of industrial roles in Ottawa begin as contract-to-hire. This allows workers to “test-drive” the company culture and safety standards before committing to a permanent role with benefits.

Career Growth & Progression Path

Service Technician II & III: Advance your technical expertise, taking on more complex structural and electrical repairs within the units.
Team Lead: Move into a supervisory role, managing the daily workflow of the service technician team and yard logistics.
Site Manager: Take over operations for the entire Ottawa yard, overseeing inventory, safety compliance, and client deployments.
Project Estimator: Transition into the office to calculate costs and material requirements for large-scale modular projects.

Interview Preparation Insights

Tool Talk: Be prepared to list the specific power tools you are most comfortable with (e.g., miter saws, pneumatic nailers, cordless drills) and provide examples of repairs you’ve completed.
The “Safety First” Mindset: Aerotek and their clients prioritize safety. Mention your experience with PPE, ladder safety, and your awareness of “pinch points” when moving large modular units.
Modular Specifics: If you have experience with construction trailers or portable classrooms, highlight this—it reduces your training time significantly.
Team Dynamics: Since you will work in a four-person team, describe a time you successfully collaborated to meet a tight deadline or solve a tricky repair issue.

Perks & Benefits

Stable Schedule: Predictable 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM hours with no weekend work required.
Comprehensive Benefits: Access to medical, dental, and vision coverage after the probationary period.
Weekly Pay: Consistent weekly income and access to Aerotek’s employee assistance and discount programs.

Onboarding Support: Forklift certification is available on-site, adding a valuable credential to your professional toolkit.

Category	Details & Specifications
Employer	Aerotek (Staffing for a Modular Building Client)
Pay Range	$25.00 – $27.00 / hour
Location	Ottawa, ON
Status	Contract-to-Hire (Permanent potential)
Schedule	Mon–Fri, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Experience Req.	3–5 years in construction/trades

Role Breakdown: Modular Unit Restoration

In this role, you aren’t just doing general labor; you are performing “refresh” and repair work on modular office units and construction trailers. When a unit returns from a job site, you are responsible for making it client-ready again.

Multi-Trade Repairs: You will utilize 3–5 years of experience to perform minor carpentry, drywall patching, painting, and cabinetry repairs. Replacing damaged floor tiles and fixing trim are common tasks.
Logistics & Material Handling: Loading and unloading modular stairs, furniture, and materials. This includes operating a counterbalance forklift to move items around the yard.
Picking & Packing: Organizing material orders for outgoing units, ensuring that the correct furniture and accessories are included for each customer deployment.
Yard Work: While repairs happen indoors, you will be active in the yard, moving between units in various weather conditions.

2026 Ottawa Skilled Trades & Construction Insights

The modular construction sector in Ottawa is experiencing a surge in 2026 due to the city’s focus on rapid-deployment housing and the expansion of transit-related construction sites that require temporary office space.

2026 Salary Benchmarking: The $25–$27/hr range is competitive for “Skilled Laborer” roles in Ottawa, where the 2026 average for non-certified laborers hovers around $21–$23/hr. This higher rate reflects the requirement for specific trades experience (Carpentry/Drywall).
The “Contract-to-Hire” Path: Aerotek uses this model to evaluate your technical skills and team fit. In 2026, many Aerotek contractors in Ottawa are transitioned to permanent status within 3 to 6 months.
Modular Specialization: Experience with modular buildings is highly valued in 2026. These units use specific framing and electrical systems that differ from traditional stick-built construction.

2026 Labor Force Statistics: Skilled Trades in Ontario

The composition of the skilled labor and construction workforce in Ontario has become increasingly diverse as of early 2026, driven by provincial “Skills Trades” initiatives.

Demographic Breakdown (Ontario 2026)

Group	Percentage of Skilled Trades Workforce
Male	88.4%
Female	11.6% (Up from 7.5% in 2021)
Visible Minorities	26.8%
Indigenous Peoples	4.2%
Immigrants (Landed)	29.1%

Growth in Diversity: The 2026 year has seen a record number of women and visible minorities entering general and skilled labor roles in Ottawa, supported by local training programs like those offered at Algonquin College.
Aging Workforce: With approximately 22% of Ontario’s skilled tradespeople nearing retirement age by 2027, younger skilled laborers ($25+/hr) are seeing faster promotion paths to “Team Lead” and “Service Technician” roles.

Total Rewards & Career Progression

Career Ladder: This role is a starting point for becoming a Service Technician II or III, and eventually a Team Lead.
Benefits: Aerotek provides weekly pay and a benefits package (medical, dental, vision) that becomes available after your probationary period.
Training: If you don’t have a forklift ticket, the client is willing to provide certification, which is a valuable credential to add to your resume.

Essential Qualifications & Physical Fit

Tool Proficiency: You must own and be proficient with standard hand and power tools (drills, saws, levels).
Physicality: Ability to lift 50 lbs and work in a fast-paced yard environment.
Reliability: The 7:30 AM start time is firm. Reliable transportation is essential, as some modular yards are located in industrial areas with limited transit access.

Application Insider Tips

Highlight “Service” Experience: Since these units are rented and returned, frame your experience around “maintenance” and “restoration” rather than just new construction.
Emphasize Multi-Skill Ability: Don’t just say you’re a carpenter. Mention that you can also do drywall and flooring. The more “jack-of-all-trades” you appear, the better.
Forklift Focus: If you have even a little experience on a forklift, put it at the top of your resume. Yard work relies heavily on moving heavy materials efficiently.

To apply for this job please visit www.aerotek.com.