Ironworkers - Career Overview
 Career Information:
Today’s Ironworkers:
- perform a variety of different duties
within the construction industry
- install stairways, catwalks, handrails,
floor plates, and grating
- have great welding skills
- have great blueprint reading skills
- are capable of physically demanding work
- place a great deal of emphasis on safety
- are teamplayers
|
Characteristics Needed:
|
| Good people skills |
Like to work with your hands
|
| Attention to detail |
Mechanically inclined |
| Good communication skills |
Good attitude and physical conditioning |
| Ability to work well with others
|
Welding, mechanical, blueprint skills |
What Do Iron Workers Do?
Ironworkers raise and place fabricated
structural steel members, such as beams,
girders, plates, channels, angles, and columns
and unite them to form a completed structure or
the framework of a structure. Structural steel
work is usually broken down into various phases,
such as rigging and hoisting equipment, raising
(erecting) steel, connecting, plumbing and
aligning, bolting up and welding. Some
ironworkers install iron grating, roof decking,
metal siding, fencing, ornamental ironwork,
window sash and curtain wall, reinforcing steel
and post tensioning cables in concrete as well
as setting pre-cast concrete.
Working Conditions
Most of the work is done outdoors. Most
ironwork can be carried on year round except in
instances of severe weather. Ironwork is an
extremely hard and physically demanding trade.
Because of the dangers of ironwork, it is
important to be a team player who works well
with fellow workers. Ironworkers risk injury
from falls at great heights, they do a great
deal of climbing, balancing and reaching.
Interest and Temperament
Ironworkers cannot be afraid of working in
high places. They must also have an acute
awareness of the danger and be willing to assume
responsibility for the safety of their fellow
workers.
General Qualifications
- Minimum age of 18
- An ironworker needs to be physically
capable of performing the work
- Must possess a good work ethic
Educational Background Recommended
- Algebra, mechanical drawing,
welding, blueprint reading
Apprenticeship Admission
Requirements
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
(provision of high school transcript
or G.E.D. certificate/score sheet)
- Tests
- Interview
- Pass initial and periodic drug
testing
Terms of Apprenticeship
Training
- Apprenticeship shall be four
(4) years
- Minimum of 6000 hours of
on-the-job training
- Minimum 200 hours of related
classroom instruction per year
- Length of probationary
period – 90 days or 500
on-the-job hours
Related Job Opportunities
Supervisor, welder, metal
fabricator, tank setter,
business owner |
|
