72105

Ironworkers

TEER 2 — College diploma, apprenticeship (2+ yrs) or supervisory

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: Yes
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Trades, transport & equipment operators

7 › 72 › 721 › 7210

Definition

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. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Main duties

This group performs 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
May dismantle structures and equipment.

Example job titles

•ironworker
•ironworker - metal building systems erector
•ironworker apprentice
•ornamental ironworker
•reinforcing ironworker
•structural steel erector

Overview

Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, Ironworkers are classified under NOC code 72105 in the TEER 2 category. This occupation primarily involves erecting, installing, and fabricating structural, ornamental, and reinforcing iron and steel materials in various construction environments. Ironworkers are employed by structural steel erection, concrete reinforcing, and architectural metalwork contractors, as well as in industrial construction and manufacturing sectors across Canada.

According to the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) guidelines, the duties of an ironworker include reading blueprints and specifications, hoisting and positioning steel beams, girders, and columns using cranes and rigging equipment, and connecting steel components with bolts or welding. Additionally, they place and secure rebar or wire mesh to reinforce concrete structures. To qualify for this trade in Canada, completion of secondary school is typically required, alongside a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or a combination of several years of work experience in the trade. Trade certification is mandatory in some provinces and territories and voluntary in others.

For immigration purposes, because NOC 72105 falls under TEER 2, skilled ironworkers are eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residency. Key pathways include the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) managed through the Express Entry system, as well as various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that target skilled trade workers. Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional Canadian immigration advice. For official and updated guidelines, please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.