Overview

Prepare for an ironworker apprenticeship with hands-on skills through this program that covers fabrication, ornamental ironwork and structural steel and rebar. 

This nine-week program is designed to offer an alternative route to those looking to enter the Ironworker trade. Courses cover the same material delivered in a first-year Ironworker apprenticeship, as well as additional value-added programming focused on safety and field operations.

Students in this program will be provided with the opportunity to learn about fabrication, scaffolding, structural steel buildings, building bridges, ornamental ironwork and pre-casting structures.

The program prepares students to enter into an apprenticeship with hands-on skills.

After you successfully complete this program, you may choose to continue your training as an apprentice.Once indentured by an employer, you may register for SAIT's Ironworker apprenticeship program.

You may be eligible to challenge the written and practical exams for first-year apprenticeship.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a SAIT pre-employment certificate. 

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Careers and opportunities

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

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Career counselling and support

Unsure which career path is for you? SAIT offers career planning services to help you decide your future.

You can also get started by taking our online career finder quiz, which can help you narrow down your search based on your current skills and interests.

Finally, you can also head to Alberta alis for various tools and resources, including additional quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a career path.

Services and workshops

Courses

The Pre-Employment Ironworker certificate requires 12 credits (8 courses) to complete.

Course Credits

This course covers Ironworker math topics such as problem solving of fractions, metric and imperial measurements, geometric formulas, decimals and percentage.

1.5

In this course students will learn to identify and describe safe work practices and procedures for Ironworkers when rigging. Students will learn to identify and describe hoisting devices and parts of load charts, demonstrate the ability to identify parts of load charts, identify the use of signals, identify safe work practices when using scaffolding, understanding of safe work practices when using different work platforms, display knowledge of the use of all fall protection systems and the ability to explain the safe use of scaffolding, swing-stage, aerial work platforms and fall protection systems.

1.5

In this course students will learn to apply Ironworkers safe work practices and procedures when rigging, demonstrate the use of signals, demonstrate the safe use of hoisting equipment, apply safe work practices when using scaffolding, apply safe work practices when using swing stage and aerial work platforms, display knowledge of the use of all fall protection systems and establish the ability to safely use scaffolding, swing-stage, aerial work platforms and fall protection systems.

1.5

This course covers Ironworker drawing topics such as identifying types of drawings and parts of drawings, sketching, reasons and requirements for types of drawings, identifying standards, symbols and abbreviations, blueprint interpretation and reading principles.

1.5

This course covers Ironworker drawing topics such as identifying types of drawings and parts of drawings, sketching, reasons and requirements for types of drawings, identifying standards, symbols and abbreviations, blueprint interpretation and reading principles.

1.5

This course covers the responsibilities and opportunities in the Ironworker Trade, use hand and power tools, demonstrate general safe work practices and demonstrate ability to cope and punch holes using the ironworker machine as well as start and finish a project form an approved drawing and demonstrate the ability to administer immediate on-the-spot first aid to persons with minor injuries and administer temporary emergency first aid to the more seriously injured, as deemed adequate until qualified medical personnel is available.

1.5

In this course Ironworker students will demonstrate and identify knowledge of welding cutting equipment and the ability to safely operate a handheld oxy fuel cutting torch and SMAW equipment.

1.5

In this course Ironworker students will demonstrate welding cutting equipment and the ability to safely operate a handheld oxy fuel cutting torch and SMAW equipment.

1.5

Progression

Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure >

Admission requirements

Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and have successfully completed the following courses or equivalents:

  • Math 10C, or Math 10-3, and,
  • English Language Arts 10-1 or English Language Arts 10-2

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English Language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find out what educational documents are accepted and assessment options.

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

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Academic Upgrading

Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.

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English language proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

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Available intakes

This program is currently not offered for the upcoming academic year.

Costs

2023/24 tuition and fees

The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023. They are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per year.

Domestic students

Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 0.5* $7,032 $157 $7,189
Total cost:
$7,189

*Less than a full semester of 16 weeks.

Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 per full-time year.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.

Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.

Required equipment/tools

  • Solid Wi-Fi connection at home

Required personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • CSA steel toe boots
  • Safety glasses
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Financial aid

Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.

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Canada Alberta Job Grant icon

This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.

Application process

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Ready to apply?

Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.

Learn how to apply

Communication during admission

Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the ma.info@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.

Information sessions

Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.

Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:

  • What sets SAIT apart
  • An introduction to the program and area of study
  • Admission requirements
  • Future career paths
  • Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.

Contact us

Prepare for a strong start and get the details you need to make a decision about your future. Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions, and provide information about:

School of Manufacturing and Automation Advising

Phone
403.284.8641
Email
ma.info@sait.ca