There are two types of ironworkers – generalist ironworkers and reinforcing ironworkers.
- Generalist ironworkers live on the edge working at the highest points of structural ironwork. They hoist, bolt, fasten, cut, bend, weld and erect components for giant storage tanks, towers and other oil and gas structures.
- Reinforcing ironworkers reinforce the structural integrity at the very foundation of a building or plant. They cut, bend, lay out, install and weld rebar and wire fabric to increase the tension of structures.
Both are involved in almost every part of construction in the energy industry working on projects ranging from LNG export facilities to natural gas processing plants to offshore rigs. They both also play a role in repairing and maintaining oil and natural gas facilities.
I'm interested in a career in
- Sub-sector Oil and gas services
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary $47,000 to $78,000
- Education High school diploma
In this occupation activities may include:
- Examining structures and equipment for deterioration, defects and non-compliance with specifications
- Hoisting steel beams, girders and columns into place using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members
- Cutting, bending and welding steel pieces using metal shears, torches and welding equipment
- Erecting metal and precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences and highway guard rails
Education
- A high school diploma (or equivalent) is required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Fall protection
- Aerial lift training
- Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
Licensing
- Completion of a two- to three-year apprenticeship program is required to become a certified tradesperson. Another route into apprenticeship training is a pre-apprenticeship foundation program. In some provinces, both of these routes can begin in high school
- The Red Seal endorsement is the interprovincial standard of excellence, and is available to tradespersons upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Minimal or no travel
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Work not physically demanding
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Work away from home/in camps
Physically, you bring muscle, agility, balance and good eyesight. Mentally, your sense of judgment is ironclad as you encounter numerous scenarios with potential safety implications. You can think through everything, from day-to-day project planning to inspections to problem solving. Numeracy is key as you measure dimensions and angles of various components, calculate distances and estimate quantities of supplies required for projects.
- Building and construction
- Public safety and security
- Selecting equipment
- Attention to detail
- Stress tolerance
- Mechanical
- Active listening
- Installing equipment
- Judgment and decision making
- Planning and organizing
- Sub-sector Construction
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education High school diploma
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! An ironworker’s skills are directly transferable from oil and natural gas to working in industrial construction and maintenance in energy.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Examining structures and equipment for deterioration, defects and non-compliance with specifications
- Hoisting steel beams, girders and columns into place using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members
- Cutting, bending and welding steel pieces using metal shears, torches and welding equipment
- Erecting metal and precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences and highway guard rails
Education
- A high school diploma (or equivalent) is required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Fall protection
- Aerial lift training
- Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
Licensing
- Completion of a two- to three-year apprenticeship program is required to become a certified tradesperson. Another route into apprenticeship training is a pre-apprenticeship foundation program. In some provinces, both of these routes can begin in high school
- The Red Seal endorsement is the interprovincial standard of excellence, and is available to tradespersons upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to industrial construction and maintenance include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (construction)
- Travel required (construction)
- Primarily outdoor work (construction)
- Physical work (construction)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (construction)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (construction)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (construction)
- Safety-sensitive environment (construction)
- Transition to a similar level (construction)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Minimal or no travel
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Work not physically demanding
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Work away from home/in camps
Physically, you bring muscle, agility, balance and good eyesight. Mentally, your sense of judgment is ironclad as you encounter numerous scenarios with potential safety implications. You can think through everything, from day-to-day project planning to inspections to problem solving. Numeracy is key as you measure dimensions and angles of various components, calculate distances and estimate quantities of supplies required for projects.
- Building and construction
- Public safety and security
- Selecting equipment
- Attention to detail
- Stress tolerance
- Mechanical
- Active listening
- Installing equipment
- Judgment and decision making
- Planning and organizing
