Sawfiler
Skilled Trades 
DOWNLOAD PDFJob Description
Canada’s forest products industry produces a lot of lumber and it takes a lot of high-tech cutting equipment to get the job done. A sawfiler, or saw doctor, maintains and repairs these high-tech saws in a saw mill. Sawfilers work in a mill’s filing room. Saws used in timber mills are huge and expensive. They must be carefully maintained to operate safely. Repairing a damaged saw takes a lot of skill. Circular saws have multiple components that need to align. In fact, to become a qualified sawfiler takes many years of full-time saw-filing. If you like using power tools and hand tools, you could be a perfect fit as a sawfiler.
Is your career goal to become a(n) Sawfiler in the forest industry?
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This job is right for you if...
- You want to live an oversized life in one of Canada’s beautiful forest communities
- A sense of community is important to you
- You like variety and learning new things
- You want to make a difference working in a green job
- You are handy with tools
- You like working with wood
- You want to spend time in a workshop, not an office
Skilled Trades Jobs Available
 | Journeyman Millwright Annacis Island, British Columbia |
| Red Seal Certified Welder Kenora, Ontario |
| Journeyman Millwright- Weekend Grande Prairie, Alberta |
Communities
Check out these forest communities where Skilled Trades jobs are available.
| HIGH LEVEL, ALBERTA |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, ALBERTA |
| FORT ST-JAMES, BRITISH COLUMBIA |
Education And Training
B.C. and Alberta have sawfiler apprentice programs. At a minimum you must have a grade 10 education or equivalent to enter an apprenticeship. But a high school diploma is preferred by most employers. Three trades make up the saw trades: saw fitting, circular sawfiler and benchperson. Saw fitting is a two-year apprenticeship, and circular sawfiler and benchperson are one year each. An interprovincial Red Seal endorsement is also available to allow your skills to be officially recognized across Canada. But outside Alberta and B.C. you can apply for sawfiler jobs directly with forestry companies and receive on-the-job training.
Apprenticeship grants: Apprentices can receive up to $4,000 in grants to pay tuition, travel, tools, or other expenses. If you are considering an apprenticeship, visit the interprovincial Red Seal program for information on how to get started.
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University |
| Thompson Rivers University |
| Cégep de Baie-Comeau |
NOTE
The requirements listed are generally required qualifications for this Career Type. The qualifications may vary based on the employer and/or the geographic location of that job.
FORECASTED JOBS
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