Occupation
Reinforcing ironworker
Reinforcing ironworkers place and tie the steel reinforcement inside concrete structures, following the bar schedules and drawings that determine size, spacing, laps, and cover. Correct placement is what gives the finished concrete its strength, so accuracy is not optional. The work is heavy, repetitive, outdoors, and often at height.
Also known as: Rebar worker · Steel fixer · Reinforcing bar installer · Rodbuster
Occupation content
Part of Architecture, construction and infrastructure
What the work involves
- Read reinforcement drawings and bar bending schedules and identify bar marks and sizes.
- Cut, bend, and position reinforcing bars, mesh, and dowels to the specified layout.
- Tie bars with wire or clips and install chairs and spacers to hold the required cover.
- Set and align cages for columns, beams, walls, and piles and brace them for the pour.
- Check spacing, laps, and cover against the drawing before inspection and pouring.
- Rig and move bundles of steel safely using slings, hoists, or cranes.
How people commonly enter
- A registered ironworking or steel-fixing apprenticeship through an employer or union training centre.
- Entry as a labourer on a rebar crew with on-the-job progression to fixing work.
- A college or union pre-apprenticeship in ironwork or reinforced concrete.
- Trade certification or certificate-of-qualification routes where the jurisdiction designates the trade.
Typical training: Apprenticeship
Licensing: Regulated in some jurisdictions — confirm the current requirement with the regulator in your province, state, or country.
Typical work context
Outdoors · Physically active · Team based · Client sites · Fast paced
Related interests
Realistic (hands-on) · Conventional (organizing)
Related aptitude preparation
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Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Architecture, construction and infrastructure.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers (47-2171.00) · United States
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- UK National Careers Service — Steel fixer · United Kingdom
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- Canada Job Bank — Occupation search: reinforcing ironworker · Canada
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Architecture, construction and infrastructure in Canada, not a figure for Reinforcing ironworker. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Architecture, construction and infrastructure family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Architecture, construction and infrastructure: education pathways
Some roles in Architecture, construction and infrastructure may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Architecture, construction and infrastructure: licensing
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