Occupation
Structural ironworker
Structural ironworkers erect the steel frames of buildings, bridges, and industrial structures, and place the reinforcing steel that concrete is poured around. The work is outdoors, at height, and coordinated closely with crane operations, so rigging knowledge and fall protection discipline are inseparable from the trade. Accuracy matters because a frame out of plumb is expensive to correct.
Also known as: Ironworker · Structural steel erector · Steel fixer
Occupation content
Part of Skilled trades, maintenance and repair
What the work involves
- Rig, signal, and land structural members lifted by crane into position.
- Bolt up connections, then plumb, align, and brace the frame before final tightening.
- Weld connections and attachments where the drawings and procedures call for it.
- Place, tie, and support reinforcing bar and mesh ahead of concrete pours.
- Install decking, joists, stairs, handrails, and miscellaneous metals.
- Set up and use fall protection, and inspect harnesses, anchors, and rigging before each lift.
How people commonly enter
- A registered ironworker apprenticeship served with a steel erection or reinforcing contractor.
- A college or union pre-apprenticeship programme covering rigging, welding, and fall protection.
- Entry as a construction labourer on steel or concrete work, moving into an ironworking apprenticeship.
- Transfer from welding or rigging work into structural erection with the trade-specific training added.
Typical training: Apprenticeship
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Pathways: Apprenticeship route
Typical work context
Client sites · Outdoors · Physically active · Team based · High responsibility
Related interests
Realistic (hands-on) · Conventional (organizing)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Skilled trades, maintenance and repair.
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.
- US BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Construction and extraction occupations · United States
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- Red Seal Program — Designated Red Seal trades · Canada
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- UK National Careers Service — Explore careers · United Kingdom
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Skilled trades, maintenance and repair in Canada, not a figure for Structural ironworker. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Skilled trades, maintenance and repair 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
Skilled trades, maintenance and repair: education pathways
Some roles in Skilled trades, maintenance and repair 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
Skilled trades, maintenance and repair: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
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