Overview
Commercial divers
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Gunsmiths
Fabricate guns and repair and modify firearms according to blueprints or customers' specifications.
Locksmiths
Repair, install and adjust locks, make keys and change lock combinations.
Safe and vault servicers
Install, repair and maintain safes and vaults in banks and other establishments.
Saw fitters
Repair, set and sharpen band saws, chain saws, circular saws and other types of saw blades according to specifications.
Die setters
Select dies for forging according to work order and specifications; position align and bolt dies to ram and anvil of power presses and hammers.
Commercial divers
Perform underwater activities related to construction, inspection, search, salvage, repair and photography.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$36,289
$66,781
$107,617
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
287expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school is usually required.
Completion of a two- to four-year apprenticeship program in a relevant trade, such as locksmith or saw fitter or college, high school or industry courses combined with several years of related work experience or several years of on-the-job training are required.
Trade certification for locksmiths is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Additional information
There is little or no mobility among occupations in this unit group.
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Commercial divers in B.C.
- Blaster Certification - Commercial Divers
Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Commercial divers in B.C.
- Occupational Diver Certificate of Competency issued by the Diver Certification Board of Canada
Blaster Certification - Commercial Divers
To work as a commercial diver that will set and detonate explosives in B.C., you must have blaster certification issued by WorkSafeBC.
Occupational Diver Certificate of Competency issued by the Diver Certification Board of Canada
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as an commercial diver in B.C., you may need to be certified by the Diver Certification Board of Canada. Eligibility is achieved by completing an accredited education program.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No programs available in B.C.
Instead of a program, there are courses offered at a public post-secondary institution in BC that may qualify you for this career. Please see the Diver Certification Board of Canada website for more information.