Apprenticeship

Ironworker

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You want to be an ironworker. You want to fabricate, construct and join scaffolding, structural steel buildings, ornamental ironwork and pre-cast structures. You want to specialize in metalwork and are comfortable working at heights. But you need to learn more and choose from 3 specialized branches of the ironworker trade, which include ironworker – metal building systems erector, ironworker – reinforcing or ironworker – structural/ornamental. You want to learn how to erect and install scaffolding, construction cranes, derricks and other hoisting equipment, including assembling rigging (cables, pulleys, hooks) to move heavy equipment and materials.

Quick Facts

Credential: Journeyman Certificate

Hands-on and expert-led apprenticeship and industry training for skilled trades and technology professionals.

Campus: Souch

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Souch Campus in Edmonton. View map

Delivery Options:

  • Both On-Campus and Virtual - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on campus and some will be done online.

Periods: 4

Apprenticeship is a method of gaining the expertise needed to become a skilled tradesperson. This is done through a combination of on-the-job experience and classroom training.

Most apprenticeship programs are 3-4 periods in length, with an average of 8 weeks for each training period. In addition, there are specific allotments of on-the-job training hours associated with each period, so most apprentices complete 1 period per calendar year.

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills

At NAIT, we’re here to teach you everything you need to know.

Here are some of the other subjects covered in the Ironworker apprenticeship program at NAIT, however some duties might be different depending on your specialization:

  • reading blueprints and specifications to lay out the work
  • unloading and stacking steel units for hoisting
  • attaching cables and directing crane operators using hand signals or radios
  • positioning steel units, aligning holes and inserting temporary bolts
  • assembling and erecting pre-fabricated metal structures
  • selecting, cutting, bending, positioning and securing steel bars or wire mesh in concrete forms
  • installing ornamental and other structural metalwork such as curtain walls, metal stairways, railings and power doors
  • unloading and installing pre-cast components
Ironworker

PPE Requirements

Please ensure you have the following personal protective equipment (PPE) when you arrive for the first day of classes. Find everything you need online at shop.nait.ca.

  • CSA-approved steel toe boots (min. 6”)
  • clear safety glasses
  • safety gloves
  • hard hat
  • seasonal workwear

Training at NAIT

The Ironworker apprenticeship term varies based on your specialization:

  • Ironworker – Metal Building Systems Erector
    • 2 years (two 12-month periods)
  • Ironworker – Reinforcing
    • 2 years (two 12-month periods)
  • Ironworker – Structural/Ornamental
    • 3 years (three 12-month periods)
  • minimum of 1500 hours on-the-job training each year
  • 6 weeks of technical training each year

Enter the workforce with confidence

As an ironworker, you will be employed primarily by construction contractors, but depending on your specialization, you might also be employed by metal fabricators, oil and gas producers, iron and steel producers, electrical utility contractors or the rail transport industry. Very few ironworkers are self-employed.

In the construction industry, some employment is on a project-to-project basis and may require travelling long distances from job to job. Employment may be affected by the economic climate or the volume of construction work available.

Experienced ironworkers may advance to supervisory positions like foreman, construction superintendent or training coordinator.

Ironworker

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions.

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal

Periods

Tuition & Fees

The tuition and fee amounts below are estimates based on current academic year’s rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Students who take all of their courses online are exempt from U-Pass, Health & Dental, and Recreation & Athletics fees. All fees are subject to change. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.

View the technical equipment requirements (PDF)

Scholarships & Awards

How to Apply

Complete an apprenticeship application & contract form

Effective November 1, 2014, you must fillout the application located on the MyTradesecrets website for Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board staff to determine if you are eligible for status as an indentured apprentice.

Dates & Deadlines

Once you are an indentured apprentice, you can review the availability and start and end dates of the program you are interested in. Log into your MyTradesecrets profile and do a search under the Class Registration section. Then you can determine the schedule that best fits your needs.

We recommend submitting your program application at least 90 days before the application deadline.

Apply to Program

Apply to the program with step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application process. Please note, processing time may vary for applicants, so we recommend starting early.

Apply nowHow to apply checklist

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions.

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal



The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

Apply for Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Begin the application process through MyTradesecrets.

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