Available Intakes
Overview
Learn to fabricate, construct and join scaffolding, structural steel buildings, bridges, ornamental ironwork and pre-cast structures.
Ironworkers build structural components, reinforce steel, post-tension tendons, install conveyors and robotic equipment and sometimes perform reconstructive work on existing structures.
As an ironworker, you will be able to specialize in three different areas:
- metal building systems erector: you will fabricate, construct and join scaffolding. You are limited to work on two-story, steel-framed metal buildings generally referred to as pre-engineered buildings. You will erect pre-engineered buildings and sometimes perform reconstructive work on existing structures.
- reinforcing: you will place and tie reinforcing material, join scaffolding, and perform post-tensioning. As an Ironworker-reinforcing tradesperson, you unload and stack steel units so each piece can be hoisted as needed, erect and install scaffolding, and select, cut, bend, position, and secure steel bars or wire mesh in concrete forms to reinforce the concrete and perform post-tensioning.
- structural/ornamental: you will fabricate, construct and join scaffolding, structural steel buildings, bridges, ornamental ironwork and pre-cast structures. You will erect structural steel components, install conveyors and robotic equipment, and sometimes perform reconstructive work on existing structures.
While on the job, you'll perform some of the following duties:
- read blueprints
- 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 to move heavy equipment and materials 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 tack welding them with an electric arc process
- assemble and erect prefabricated metal structures
- select, cut, bend, position, and secure steel bars or wire mesh in concrete forms to reinforce the concrete
- install ornamental and other structural metalwork such as curtain walls, metal stairways, railing and power doors
- unload and install pre-cast components.
Is this the right fit for me?
Ironworkers are self-motivated, can work at heights and enjoy a variety of tasks. This line of work is most fulfilling for those who enjoy physically active work and working on a team.
To thrive in this career, it is important to have the following traits:
- the ability to interpret blueprints
- understanding of safe work practices and knowledge of tools used in the trade
- to be able to work at heights
- strength, stamina, and proper lifting techniques for heavy items weighing more than 25 kilograms
- good muscular coordination, agility and balance
- willingness to travel to various work sites
- ability to work cooperatively with others
- quick decision-making skills during emergencies
- commitment to safe work habits
Credentials
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and apprenticeship education periods, graduates will be awarded journeyperson status by Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Ironworker — reinforcer and Ironworker — structural/ornamental are Red Seal Endorsed trades — a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Career opportunities
As an ironworker, you will most likely be employed by construction contractors, but some are employed in industries such as metal fabricating, oil and gas production, iron and steel production, electrical utilities and rail transport. In the construction industry, Ironworkers work on a project-to-project basis and frequently travel long distances from job to job.
After becoming a journeyperson, you may advance to supervisory positions or take on new apprentices. Some journeypersons go on to run their own businesses — we can help you build your business with our Blue Seal business certificate.
Tuition and fees 2023/24
- Period 1: $1,093
- Period 2: $1,093
- Period 3: $1,093
Requirements
Entrance requirements for all apprenticeship programs are set by Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
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Admission requirements
To enter an apprenticeship, you must have the educational qualifications required or recommended education for the trade to which you apply.
Entrance requirements are monitored and set by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Minimum requirements
Successful completion of the following courses:
- English 10-2
- Math 10-3
OR
A pass mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests
OR
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Entrance Exam
Recommended path
Apprentices with an Alberta High School Diploma that includes the following courses:
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Physics 20 OR Chemistry 20 OR Science 20
- Related career and technology studies (CTS) courses
When do classes start?
Registration for the 2023/24 academic year opens May 16, 2023.
| Period | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| Metal Building Systems Erector | ||
| 1 | Sept. 11, 2023 | Oct. 20, 2023 |
| 2 | Oct. 30, 2023 | Dec. 8, 2023 |
| 1 | Jan. 2, 2024 | Feb. 9, 2024 |
| Reinforcing | ||
| 2 | May 8, 2023 | June 16, 2023 |
| 1 | Sept. 11, 2023 | Oct. 20, 2023 |
| 1 | Jan. 2, 2024 | Feb. 9, 2024 |
| 2 | Jan. 29, 2024 | March 8, 2024 |
| Structural/ornamental | ||
| 1 | Sept. 11, 2023 | Oct. 20, 2023 |
| 2 | Oct. 30, 2023 | Dec. 8, 2023 |
| 1 | Jan. 2, 2024 | Feb. 9, 2024 |
| 3 | May 6, 2024 | June 14, 2024 |
How to register
Registration for apprenticeship education is run through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Learn how you can register for your next intake.
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Services
1.800.248.4823
tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Suite 200 Willow Park Centre
10325 Bonaventure DR. SE
Calgary, AB
After you register
Email is the primary source of communication after you have registered for your intake. Please ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Training
Depending on the specialty, apprenticeship education and on-the-job training will be different.
Ironworker - Metal Building Systems Erector
The term of apprenticeship for an Ironworker (Metal Building Systems Erector) is two years (two 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1620 hours of on-the-job training and six weeks of classroom instruction each period.
You will start by standard workplace safety. You will then learn math and drawing interpretation, rigging and oxy-fuel equipment.
You will learn structural and ornamental drawing interpretation, mathematics, structural and ornamental rigging as well as structural steel and metal building systems.
Ironworker - Reinforcing
The term of apprenticeship for an Ironworker (Reinforcing) tradesperson is two years (two 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1620 hours of on-the-job training and six weeks of classroom instruction each period.
You will start by standard workplace safety. You will then learn math and drawing interpretation, rigging and oxy-fuel equipment.
You will learn reinforcing steel and post tensioning as well as reinforced concrete.
Ironworker - Structural/Ornamental
The term of apprenticeship for an Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental) tradesperson is three years (three 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1620 hours of on-the-job training and six weeks of apprenticeship education each period.
You will start by standard workplace safety. You will then learn math and drawing interpretation, rigging and oxy-fuel equipment.
You will learn structural and ornamental drawing interpretation, mathematics, structural and ornamental rigging as well as structural steel and metal building systems.
You will learn structural, ornamental and miscellaneous fabrication, welding processes, pre-cast and curtain walls.
Apprenticeship education performance
To be successful in apprenticeship education, an apprentice must pass each section of the course and pass the AIT exam. The passing grade for each section in the course is a 65%. A passing mark on each provincial exam and the interprovincial qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
Costs 2022/23
Tuition and fees*
| Period | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $720 | $231 | $54 | $1,005 |
| 2 | $720 | $231 | $54 | $1,005 |
| 3 | $720 | $231 | $54 | $1,005 |
SAIT fees
Campus recreation fee: $49
Lab and material fee: $82
Student support fee: $50
Student technology fee: $50
Books and supplies*
- Books or modules along with other items for class average out to $300 per period.
- It is recommended that you do not purchase books or modules ahead of time as they might be outdated by the time you attend classes and they cannot be returned. Books and modules are provided at Point Trotter for purchase.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Costs 2023/24
Tuition and fees*
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023.
| Period | Number of weeks | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | $792 | $247 | $54 | $1,093 |
| 2 | 6 | $792 | $247 | $54 | $1,093 |
| 3 | 6 | $792 | $247 | $54 | $1,093 |
Fees breakdown
| SAIT fees | Cost per period |
|---|---|
| Lab and materials fee | $90 |
| Student support fee | $52.75 |
| Student technology fee | $52.75 |
| Campus recreation fee | $51.50 |
| Total | $247 |
Saitsa fee per week: $9
Learn more about what your fees are for
Books and supplies*
- Books or modules along with other items for class average out to $300 per period.
- It is recommended that you do not purchase books or modules ahead of time as they might be outdated by the time you attend classes and they cannot be returned. Books and modules are provided at Point Trotter for purchase.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
