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Ironworkers Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work outdoors icon that represents where Ironworkers work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Ironworkers. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Ironworkers click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Structural Construction

Ironworkers

work outdoors

Ironworkers fabricate, construct and join scaffolding, structural steel buildings, bridges, ornamental ironwork and pre-cast structures.

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  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; English; Physics; Shop; Physical Educaiton

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Most ironworkers are employed by construction contractors, but some are employed in industries such as metal fabricating, oil and gas production, iron and steel production, electric utilities and rail transport. Very few are self-employed. In the construction industry, ironworkers work on a project-to-project basis and frequently travel long distances from job to job.

    In Alberta, 91 per cent of people employed as ironworkers work in the following industries:

    • Construction.
    • Manufacturing.
    • Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction.
    • Repair, Personal, Religious and Other Services.
  • DutiesDetails

    Ironworkers:

    • Read blueprints and drawings.
    • Unload and stack steel units so each piece can be hoisted as needed.
    • Erect and install scaffolding, construction cranes, derricks and other lifting equipment.
    • Assemble cables, pulleys, and hooks to move heavy equipment and materials.
    • Attach cables from a crane or derrick.
    • Direct crane operators with hand signals or radios.
    • Position steel units, line up holes and insert temporary bolts.
    • Join steel parts by bolting or welding them with an electric arc process.
    • Assemble and stand up pre-made metal structures.
    • Select, cut, bend, position and secure steel bars or wire mesh in concrete forms.
    • Install curtain walls, metal stairways, railings and power doors.
    • Unload and install pre-cast components.

    In Alberta, this trade has four branches:

    1. Ironworkers:
      • Erect structural steel parts.
      • Reinforce steel.
      • Post tension tendons.
      • Install conveyors and robotic equipment.
      • Sometimes perform reconstructive work on existing structures.
    2. Ironworker - structural/ornamental tradespeople:
      • Make, build and join scaffolding.
      • Structural steel buildings.
      • Bridges.
      • Ornamental ironwork and pre-cast structures.
      • Erect structural steel components.
      • Install conveyors and robotic equipment.
      • Sometimes perform reconstructive work on existing structures.
    3. Ironworker - metal building systems erectors:
      • Make, build and join scaffolding.
      • Can only work on one story steel framed metal buildings.
      • Put up pre-engineered buildings.
      • Sometimes perform reconstructive work on existing structures.
    4. Ironworker - reinforcing tradespeople:
      • Place and tie reinforcing material.
      • Join scaffolding.
      • Perform post tensioning.
      • Place and tie, reinforce steel, and post tension tendons.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • No.
    • Outdoors
      • Construction sites.
      • Remote locations.
      • Urban areas.
      • Use of harnesses and other safety equipment.
      • High wind, rain or snow may shut down projects for days at a time.

    Hours:

    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • May need to work evenings or weekends and/or holidays.
    • May need to work long hours to finish a project.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • Lift and carry 20 kilograms and heavier.
    • Risk of injury from falls.
    • Work is physically demanding and often dangerous.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Able to work at heights.
    • Very good muscular coordination.
    • Very strong and flexible.
    • Good sense of balance.
    • Works well with others.
    • Able to act quickly and make decisions in emergencies.
    • Enjoy doing precision work.
    • Enjoy working outdoors in a wide variety of locations.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 10-3 or equivalent.
    • or able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.

    Apprenticeship term:

    Ironworkers 4 year:

    • 4 years.
    • If you have training or work experience in this trade it may count towards your certification.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.

    Ironworkers - Structural/Ornamental 3 year:

    • 3 years.
    • If you have training or work experience in this trade it may count towards your certification.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.

    Ironworkers - Reinforcing 2 year:

    • 2 years.
    • 1500 work hours each year.
    • 6 weeks classroom training each year.
    • If you have training or work experience in this trade it may count towards your certification.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

    Pre-employment programs for prospective apprentices and continuing education programs for journeypersons may be offered on an as needed basis by the institution(s) listed above or other schools.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Management or supervisory positions.
    • Foreman.
    • Construction superintendent.
    • If you have supervisory or management experience in this trade, you may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.
    • Time of year.

    Future Trends:

    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates for ironworkers vary but generally range from $20 to $30 an hour plus benefits (2009 estimates). Apprentices earn at least 60 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 70 per cent in the second, 80 percent in the third and 90 per cent in the fourth.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Ironworkers occupational group earned on average from $28.90 to $37.21 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $33.80 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails