Ironworkers assemble structural steel buildings, bridges, ornamental ironwork, pre-cast structures and other steel structures. There are four branches in this trade in Alberta: ironworkers - reinforcing, ironworkers - metal building systems erectors, ironworkers - structural/ornamental, and ironworkers. For more information, see the Trades and Occupations section of Alberta's Tradesecrets website.
Any of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Service Offices located throughout Alberta. For a list of office locations and telephone numbers, click on "Contact Us" on the home page of the Tradesecrets website (tradesecrets.alberta.ca).
Under Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act and Ironworker Trade Regulation, you must have a certificate that is recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training or be a registered apprentice to fabricate, construct or join scaffolding, structural steel buildings, bridges, ornamental ironwork or pre-cast structures in Alberta.
The term of apprenticeship depends on the branch of the trade: two years (two 12 month periods) for reinforcing, two years for metal building systems, three years for structural/ornamental and four years for ironworker. Each period includes a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and six weeks of technical training. Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices, and successfully complete technical training examinations.
Ironworkers from other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board. For more information, see the Recognized Trade Certificates page of the Tradesecrets website.
