Steve Verbong, production service co-ordinator at DayNite Neon Signs, displays a partially built Tim Hortons sign in the shop's Dartmouth facility on Thursday. (TIM KROCHAK / Staff)

By BILL POWER
Business Reporter

JUST ABOUT anywhere Steve Verbong goes in Nova Scotia, he can look up and see the results of his craftsmanship.

That's because his work co-ordinating production and service for DayNite Neon Signs Ltd. in Dartmouth has provided a connection with every imaginable sort of commercial sign around the province.

"Wherever there are signs, there are usually some that we've had a hand in," Mr. Verbong said of his crew of about six technicians at the Burnside Park operation.

Mr. Verbong can see the metal and plastic fabricating talents of his crew on display when he pulls into any Tim Hortons in the region and often when he visits downtown Halifax.

He can look up really high in the central business district and see the stylish new sign near the top of the BMO Group building on George Street that was built by the design and technical crew at DayNite. The team also handled the signage at the new CIBC at Clayton Park and the new Scotiabank at Fall River.

The production co-ordinator has put in lots of years in the business and seen it go through many transitions, most notably the decline in popularity of neon and its replacement by LED lighting systems that consume less energy and are more economical to produce.

There is not any specific sort of community college program dedicated to the specialized metal and plastics handling requirements of the business, and Mr. Verbong feels that is a shortcoming of the vocational training system.

"As long as there are people and businesses, there will be a need for new and inventive signs," he said of his industry and the jobs it offers across the country.

"If you like working with your hands and are good with tools and are comfortable with some of the machines involved, this can be a satisfying business."

He said a good welding program would provide a good basis for a career in a field that demands a huge amount of flexibility in its workers.

"Customers are always looking for something innovative and the designers try to accommodate that. We're the guys that have to put it all together and make it work."

WHAT DO THEY DO?
This group includes many different machine-related occupations that all require some skill and are generally performed inside a building.

These workers assist with repairs and maintenance of machinery, feed conveyors and other equipment, handle materials, monitor machine operations and clean work areas.

Mineral and metal processing machine operators process mineral ore and metal products. Foundry furnace operators run the furnaces in foundries to melt and cast metals. Mineral and metal inspectors and testers inspect and grade the finished product. Other machine operators in this group use tools or machinery in forming products made of glass, concrete, clay or stone.

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE WORK IN THIS JOB?
To work in these occupations, you should be responsible, alert and in good physical health. Co-ordination, agility and a mechanical aptitude are important. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Half of these workers have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and 30 per cent have some form of post-secondary training or education. The average age is 39 and 90 per cent are 54 or younger. About 20 per cent are women.

WHERE DO THEY WORK?
Annapolis Valley 17%
Cape Breton 6%
Halifax 33%
North Shore 35%
South Shore 9%

WHAT TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED?
Most jobs in this group require high school completion. Depending on the employer, some secondary school education may be sufficient for employment in working with concrete, clay or stone.

On-the-job training and related experience is generally required.

Mould-makers who build or repair wooden forms for con­crete products may require some previous experience in carpentry or woodworking.

EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS?
Prospects for this occupational group are rated as limited, due to little projected growth in these occupations and few job openings arising from retirements or attrition in the coming years. Employment prospects for concrete, clay and stone forming operators are closely tied to activity in the construction industry, which uses these products. Housing construction is expected to decline in the coming years in Nova Scotia; however, largescale construction projects are expected to remain steady.

Employment prospects for inspectors and testers of mineral and metal processing operations are affected by global mining activity and the strength of mineral prices.

Mineral production in Nova Scotia is dominated by industrial minerals such as gypsum, sand and gravel, and salt. Employment for these occupations is also tied to the level of activity in the construction industry. Most of the production is currently exported to the northeastern United States. All mineral production occurs in rural areas, and at the present time there is virtually no production of metallic minerals in Nova Scotia. Self-employment in these occupations is rare.

Outlook: Limited

Employment in 2005: 440

Estimated average annual number of job openings for new workers: 0

Earnings in 2005: Averaged $12.50 with a maximum of $27.75

TYPICAL JOBS
Metal processing machine operator, die-casting machine operator, foundry worker, glass moulder, glass cutter, cement miller.

For information on training paths for machine operators in metals and minerals processing, or to explore over 300 other careers in Nova Scotia, visit the Education Department's Career Options website: novascotiacareeroptions.ca

On the Job is a weekly feature looking at career opportunities in Nova Scotia. Past columns are archived at www.jobspress.com