Concrete finishers smooth and finish freshly poured concrete, apply curing or surface treatments and install, maintain and restore various masonry structures such as foundations, floors, ceilings, sidewalks, roads, patios and highrise buildings.

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  
• Completion of a two- to four-year apprenticeship program or over three years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in cement finishing are usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
  
• Trade certification for concrete finishers is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.
  
• Trade certification for cement masons is available, but voluntary, in Ontario.
  
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified concrete finishers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.