Trade Programs: Ironworker

For more information about this trade, contact the training co-ordinator.

What does an Ironworker do?

Ironworkers erect structural steel components, reinforce steel, post tension tendons, install conveyors and robotic equipment and sometimes perform reconstructive work on existing structures and bridges.

A competent ironworker is involved in all facets of the job including planning and coordination of equipment, materials and human resources, construction and demolition of structures, and salvage, as well as storage and inventory of materials and equipment when jobs have been completed. In general ironworkers:

• read drawings and specifications to lay out the work
• unload and stack steel units so each piece can be hoisted as needed
• erect and install scaffolding, construction cranes derricks and other hoisting equipment
• assemble rigging (cables, pulleys, hook) to move heavy equipment and materials
• attach cables from a crane or derrick and direct crane operators with hand signals or radios
• position steel units, align holes and insert temporary bolts
• check the alignments and join steel parts by bolting or welding them with an electric arc process
• assemble and erect pre-fabricated metal structures
• lay and connect reinforcing bars and tension cables
• select, cut, bend, position and secure steel reinforcing bars or wire mesh in concrete forms to reinforce concrete
• install ornamental ironwork, metal stairways, power doors, conveyors and robotic equipment
• erect curtain walls, structural steel and precast concrete

What skills/abilities are required?

Ironworkers must be versatile in their knowledge and ability because of the variety of tasks they perform. Jobs can range from laying reinforcing steel for a shopping centre and building stairway railings to suspending scaffolds from structures and building wooden pedestrian bridges. To work safely and assess the potential for safety hazards ironworkers must be able to read and interpret crane charts and load sizes.

To be successful in their trade, ironworkers need:

• the ability to work at heights
• very good muscular coordination, agility and balance;
• a willingness to travel to various work sites;
• a desire to work cooperatively with others; and
• the ability to act quickly and decisively in emergencies

How long is the apprenticeship program?

The apprenticeship three years consisting of three levels. Practical and technical training is a minimum of 1800 hours per level. About 80 per cent of the time is spent learning practical on-the-job skills under the supervision of a certified journeyperson and 20 per cent consists of learning the theoretical and technical aspects of the trade through in-school training.

What is taught during in-school/technical training?

During your three-level apprenticeship, you attend school for blocks of time each year. Courses are designed to teach theory and practical work in the areas of safety, job planning and preparation, rigging and machinery moving, reinforcing concrete, robotic equipment and erection of structural ironwork, wood structures, scaffolds, falsework and other working platforms.

What is the supervision ratio?

As experience comprises the bulk of apprenticeship training, it is essential that each apprentice has on-site access to a skilled journeyperson and receives the attention and guidance necessary to perform the tasks of the trade safely and efficiently.

For every apprentice working in this trade, the employer is required to maintain a 1:1 ratio of apprentices to journeypersons on-site and must ensure that the apprentice is directly supervised by a certified journeyperson in the trade.

What are the entrance requirements?

Senior Years Apprenticeship Option: Begin your apprenticeship training in high school. A minimum age of 16 years in required.

General Admission: A Grade 12 or equivalent high school academic standing is required including recommended course(s) in Science. If you are 19 years or older and do not hold a high school diploma, you can also qualify as a Mature Student. Prior Learning Recognition and Assessment may be required.

Trades Qualification: If you are experienced in the trade, but do not hold a Certificate of Qualification, you may become a certified journeyperson based on years of proven industry experience and successful completion of the Red Seal Examination. A Trades Qualification Application and trade specific work experience form must be submitted. Trades professionals whose entrance readiness is less than that required, must take appropriate upgrading.

For additional details on entrance requirements and how to begin your apprenticeship or obtain certification, see section on "How to Start".

Do I get a certificate?

When you successfully complete all your required levels of practical experience and technical training, you write an interprovincial examination. You must score at least 70 per cent or better to qualify for a “Red Seal” endorsed interprovincial certificate confirming your status as a certified journeyperson.

Your “Red Seal” endorsed Certificate of Qualification as a journeyperson in this trade is recognized throughout Canada.

What salary can I expect as an apprentice?

Manitoba’s Ironworker Trade Regulation states that the rate of wages for an apprentice, while not attending technical courses shall not be less than the provincial minimum wage plus:

• 100 per cent during level one
• 150 per cent during level two
• 210 per cent during level three

Apprentices who work for unionized employers are entitled to the wage rate in the collective agreement if this rate exceeds the pay rates specified in the trade regulation.

Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care and training benefits. In total, the value of the benefits can range from 20 per cent to 30 per cent over and above the basic hourly pay rate.

Current wage details are available by downloading the training wage schedule

What are my career prospects?

Successful ironworkers enjoy developing their expertise by doing precise work in a broad range of industries and locations. They generally work outdoors in teams or crews in urban areas as well as remote locations. The work can be physically strenuous and often dangerous. Ironworkers sometimes work at great heights and must rely on each another to use good judgement as well as safety equipment and procedures.

Construction contractors employ most ironworkers, but some work in other industries such as metal fabricating, iron and steel production, electric utilities and rail transport. Very few ironworkers are self-employed.

Experienced ironworkers may advance to supervisory positions such as foreman and construction superintendent. Skills acquired through certification can also be applied as credit towards certification as a boilermaker, millwright, sheet metal worker, steel fabricator or industrial welder.