What is a Reinforcing Ironworker?
What is a Reinforcing Ironworker?
Reinforcing ironworkers place and tie reinforcing material. They place and tie reinforcing steel, and post-tension tendons and related components to reinforce concrete structures.
- Find a Trade
- Find an Employer
- Apply to Become an Apprentice
- Find Support for Your Apprenticeship
In general, Ironworker – Reinforcing tradespeople:
- Read blueprints and specifications to lay out the work
- Unload materials so each piece can be accessed, re-located and/or hoisted as needed
- Erect and install construction cranes and other hoisting equipment
- Assemble rigging (cables, pulleys, hooks) to move materials
- Attach cables from a crane or derrick and direct crane operators with hand signals or radios
- Select, cut, bend, position, and secure steel bars or wire mesh in concrete forms to reinforce the concrete
- Perform post-tensioning
Skills & Abilities
Successful Reinforcing Ironworkers enjoy developing their expertise by doing precise work in a broad range of industries and locations. They enjoy the outdoors and often like traveling and working with different crews.
To be successful in their trade, Reinforcing Ironworkers need:
- The ability to interpret blueprints/placing drawings and other specification documentation
- An understanding of safe work practices and the knowledge to safely operate the tools and equipment of the trade
- To be able to work at heights
- The ability to lift in excess of 25 kilograms
- Very good muscular coordination, agility and balance
- A willingness to travel to various work sites
- An inclination to work cooperatively with others
- The ability to act quickly and decisively in emergencies
Apprenticeship Training
The term of apprenticeship for a Reinforcing Ironworker is 2 years (two 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 6 weeks of technical training for each period.
Minimum requirements are, a pass mark in:
English 10-2 and Math 10-3
Or
All five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests
Or
Entrance Exam
Next Steps
To find answers to your questions and learn more about a career as a Reinforcing Ironworker, contact Iron Workers Local 720 or Ironworkers Local 725.
For a quick summary of a career as a reinforcing ironworker, ask about the reinforcing ironworker trade card.

Contact Information
P: 780-482-0720
F: 780-482-0874
P: 780-743-2023
P: 780-482-0908
Scott Papineau – Training Centre Co-ordinator