The High-Rise Career You’ve Never Considered: How Elevator Technicians Are Reaching New Heights in Canada

 When thinking of careers in North America, typical paths like medicine, law, or engineering usually take the spotlight. Yet behind the scenes, countless professionals keep cities moving—literally. One such under-the-radar profession is that of the elevator constructor and technician. While it might not make headlines, it's a skilled trade that's essential to urban life and offers a rewarding, stable career path—especially in Canada, where union training and support are transforming the industry.

Jim Miller, now the Business Manager for the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Local 50 in Toronto, Ontario, began his career in the non-union sector. Looking back, he described his early days in the trade as a time of limited training and minimal structure. “It was a learning experience when I look back. I didn’t know any better at the time,” Jim said. “But if I was given the opportunity, I wouldn’t go back. There’s no question in my mind.”

Once Jim joined the IUEC, his perspective on professional training changed dramatically. Through the union, he gained access to the Canadian Elevator Industry Educational Program (CEIEP)—the country’s most respected and comprehensive training program for elevator constructor apprentices. Unlike the ad-hoc, on-the-job instruction he received earlier, CEIEP provided structured theoretical and hands-on training.

Mike Lacy, a Business Representative with IUEC Local 50, has seen many make the switch from non-union companies to union-affiliated employers. One major reason? Benefits. “Some of the best advocates we have for organizing are those who came from non-union companies,” Mike said. “They’ve seen both sides and tell others: ‘These guys are here to support us, they give us rules to follow, they educate us, they protect us, and they help us grow our careers.’”

Drew Marks, another IUEC Business Representative, echoed those sentiments. “We offer a complete package—education, wages, benefits—everything,” he noted. He emphasized that CEIEP’s curriculum is far superior to that of many community colleges offering similar elevator mechanic training. “We’ve had many non-union workers who’ve gone through college programs and they’ve unequivocally said CEIEP’s training is in a league of its own,” he added.

Elevator apprenticeship requirements vary across Canada’s ten provinces and three territories. To ensure national consistency and excellence, CEIEP sets its own standards—often exceeding local requirements. For example, Ontario mandates 720 hours of classroom instruction for apprentices, but CEIEP provides 775 hours to ensure students meet or exceed provincial licensing thresholds.

Unlike other trades where apprentices must take extended time off work to study, CEIEP students follow a blended learning model. They continue working and earning while studying part-time—usually in evening classes or on weekends. Tuition and materials are fully covered through IUEC educational benefits, eliminating out-of-pocket expenses and financial barriers.

Mike, who also teaches Year One students in CEIEP, shared how rewarding it is to watch newcomers evolve. “I’ve been lucky enough to teach the first-year class for several years. Seeing people come in with no experience and helping them connect what they see on-site to the theoretical side—it’s a great feeling,” he said. “Our instructors are incredibly dedicated. If a student has a question—even on a Saturday night—we’re there to help.”

Hands-on training is central to CEIEP’s approach. Inspired by its U.S. counterpart, NEIEP (National Elevator Industry Educational Program), the Canadian program incorporates both physical and virtual labs to replicate real-world scenarios. Drew Marks pointed out one of CEIEP’s most exciting advancements: the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) into training. “With VR headsets, every student can step into a machine room, elevator pit, or car top—not just watch someone else do it,” he explained. “It opens up parts of the industry they may never physically see on a job site.”

CEIEP recently launched a mandatory 24-hour Virtual Reality Safety Course, required before apprentices can obtain their provincial elevator mechanic licenses. Program Director Chris McIntyre highlighted the significance of the technology: “It allows new hires to safely experience the machine room, car top, and elevator pit before their first day on the job.”

This VR course marks the beginning of a broader strategy to incorporate cutting-edge technology into the national curriculum. “We’re partnering with top VR developers to create future-ready modules,” said Chris. CEIEP is fully embracing innovation as it prepares the next generation of elevator technicians.

Safety, of course, is a major priority. Ben McIntyre, an IUEC International Organizer and member of the union’s Safety Committee, reinforced that message. “We invest heavily in safety training—because we want every worker to go home safe,” he said. The Safety Committee itself is a collaborative initiative founded by IUEC General President Frank Christensen, bringing together experts, inspectors, and union leaders from across North America to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities.

Mike Lacy summed up the union's mindset well: “We face new challenges every day, but our goal stays the same—making sure our members are supported, trained, and protected.”

From a broader perspective, the elevator trade challenges many assumptions people hold about “less conventional” careers. In fact, for those seeking a high-paying, stable, and respected technical role—without years of expensive schooling or massive student debt—elevator construction offers a compelling path.

Once fully certified, elevator mechanics in Canada often earn strong wages, benefit from full health and retirement plans, and enjoy the backing of a structured union. What’s more, career advancement within the field is tangible and diverse: apprentices can become lead mechanics, supervisors, trainers, union reps, or even enter inspection or management roles. The growth potential is as vertical as the equipment they work on.

In a time when trades are regaining prominence and cities are continuing to build upward, this "niche" career may not stay under the radar for long. Elevator constructors—once seen as anonymous behind-the-scenes workers—are now stepping into the spotlight thanks to transformative training programs like CEIEP.

Jim Miller’s words say it all: “If I had the chance to do it all over again, I’d make the same decision. I’d never go back to where I started.”

It’s a reminder that not all career paths are found in lecture halls or startup boardrooms. Sometimes, they’re built one shaft, one hoistway, and one perfectly installed elevator at a time.