What is a Cement Mason / Concrete Finisher?
Concrete finishers place and finish concrete floors, sidewalks, curbs, bridge decks and other concrete structures.
- Find a Trade
- Find an Employer
- Apply to Become an Apprentice
- Find Support for Your Apprenticeship
Concrete finishers apply:
- Smooth or textured finishes to concrete surfaces
- Exposed aggregate finishes
- Stamped and patterned designs
- Water proofing and restore concrete surfaces
They have the knowledge to properly use:
- Grouts from dry pack to wet applications
- Epoxy and cementitious materials
- Concrete curing compounds
In general, concrete finishers:
- Place and finish concrete in forms and slabs
- Use wide variety of power tools in their trade for cutting, coring, chipping, grinding, and the roughening of concrete surfaces for grouting and special coatings
- Level and smooth the surface, round the edges, and make joints or grooves to help control cracking on the surface
- Use machines such as power trowels and ride-on power trowels to finish large factory and warehouse floors
- Hand-trowelling is still required for hard-to-reach areas in corners, around pipes and edges
Skills & Abilities
This trade is physically demanding but most rewarding for those who take pride in seeing the finished product of their work.
To be successful in this trade, concrete finishers need:
- Thorough knowledge of the different types, strengths and set times of concrete
- Technical application skills and product knowledge of various protective coatings and restoration products
Apprenticeship Training
The term of apprenticeship is 3 years (three 12 month periods) including a minimum of 1200 hours of on-the-job training and 4 week technical training in the first and second years, and 1200 hours of on-the job training in the third year.
An applicant who previously completed courses or work experience related to the Concrete Finisher trade may qualify for credit that could reduce the term of apprenticeship.
Check out Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training at Trade Secrets.
Next Steps
To find answers to your questions and learn more about a career as a Cement Mason – Concrete Finisher, contact the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Local 222.
For a quick summary of a career as cement mason / concrete finisher, ask about the concrete finisher trade card.

Contact Information
P: 780-423-4296
F: 780-423-4271
P: 403-258-0042
P: 306-244-6556
P: 18774234296
P: 780-490-4327
F: 780-490-4379
E: Tony Wassill – Training Coordinator tony@local222.com