Ironworkers are highly skilled construction professionals who fabricate, install, and repair a wide range of metal structures. Professionals usually specialize in one type of ironwork, such as cutting, shaping, and fabricating raw materials, rebar placement in concrete forms, structure assembly, or nonstructural or ornamental pieces like handrails. Metal fabrication shops, wholesale distributors of building materials, construction companies, and municipal governments all have openings for ironworkers.
Ironworker jobs are available in private metalwork shops as well as large manufacturing and distribution plants. Workers use raw sheets and slabs of iron and other metals to cut, bend, weld, and smooth construction materials. Ironworkers are frequently hired large manufacturing plants to perform highly specialized tasks such as measuring and drilling holes or machining large quantities of nuts and bolts. Shears, power saws, torches, and drills are among the hand and power tools used professionals in their work.
Construction companies and private contracting businesses employ the majority of ironworkers, who assemble and connect prefabricated materials to construct the framework for various structures. Ironworkers use cranes and forklifts to place heavy iron columns on top of concrete foundations, and they usually follow blueprints. They begin constructing the rest of the framework carefully welding or bolting pieces together in detailed steps after securing the columns with specialized bolts. Because ironwork on tall structures or in inclement weather can be extremely dangerous, workers typically wear protective gear and attach themselves to safety lines to avoid falling.
Reinforcing ironwork is performed many professionals employed city governments and construction companies. Rebar and other structural metals are embedded in the foundations of roads, tunnels, bridges, and other structures experts. To ensure the safety and structural integrity of existing structures, many reinforcing ironworkers perform routine maintenance repairs and renovations.
Ornamental ironworkers are experts at creating metal pieces that aren’t directly attached to the structure of a building. Expert ironworkers, for example, might construct handrails, doors and frames, and stair sets to be installed in a finished structure. Some ornamental ironworkers focus on creating artistic pieces from iron, steel, and other materials.
Individuals must have a high school diploma and complete a period of classroom and formal, on-the-job training as apprentices to obtain most ironworker jobs. Apprenticeships typically last three to four years, during which time workers are taught about the various tools, techniques, safety precautions, and emergency procedures used in the industry experienced ironworkers. Apprentices who complete their apprenticeships are eligible for journey worker certification and can apply for a variety of ironworker jobs.