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Ironworkers  (NOC 7264)
North Shore Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Ironworkers fabricate, erect, hoist, install, repair and service structural ironwork, precast concrete, concrete reinforcing materials, curtain walls, ornamental iron and other metals used in the construction of buildings, bridges, highways, dams and other structures and equipment. They are employed by construction ironwork contractors.

ironworker, ironworker – metal building systems erector, ironworker apprentice, ornamental ironworker, reinforcing ironworker, structural steel erector.

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Ironworkers perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Read blueprints and specifications to lay out work
  • Unload and position steel units so each piece can be hoisted as needed
  • Erect and install scaffolding, hoisting equipment and rigging
  • Signal crane operator to position steel units according to blueprints
  • Align and weld or bolt steel units in place
  • Erect structural and architectural precast concrete components for buildings, bridges, towers and other structures
  • Assemble and erect prefabricated metal structures
  • Position and secure steel bars or metal mesh in concrete forms to reinforce concrete structures
  • Install ornamental and other structural metalwork such as curtain walls, metal stairways, railings and power doors
  • Examine structures and equipment for deterioration, defects or non-compliance with specifications
  • Dismantle structures and equipment when required.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Truro, Amherst, Antigonish, New Glasgow, Oxford, Parrsboro, Pictou, Springhill, Stellarton, Trenton, Westville

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Ironworkers in North Shore Region

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

Local Employment Potential Information

Table on the employment potential for Ironworkers in North Shore Region as well as in the rest of the Nova Scotia.
Location Employment Potential Release Date
North Shore Region Limited 2011-06-16

Currently the chances of qualified Ironworkers finding employment are considered to be limited in the local area. As this is a small occupational group in the local area workers are often employed on large projects in other regions of Canada. When local industrial or commercial construction projects require Ironworkers, the workforce is often supplemented from outside the local area. Periods of unemployment are not uncommon for local workers in this line of work. There is no specific training required to become an ironworker apprentice, but potential applicants are advised to have welding or machine shop experience.

Ironworker became a designated trade, (Generalist) in 1959, (Reinforcing in 2006), (Structural / Ornamental in 2006), that qualifies for the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program which allows qualified tradespersons to practice the trade in any province or territory in Canada where the trade is designated without having to write further examinations.

Although employment opportunities locally are limited, opportunities may exist in other areas of the province or in other regions of the country. People who are able to work elsewhere may want to research opportunities for this occupation in other labour markets within Nova Scotia and across the country. The future employment outlook for Ironworkers in Nova Scotia is expected to be fair over the next 5 years.

Additional information on Ironworkers (opportunities in other areas, training, who hires, current job openings, statistics and other information), is available on other parts of this web site.

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Please consult the Nova Scotia and Canada tabs for more useful information related to outlook.