Reinforcing-Iron Workers position and secure steel bars, rods, or wire mesh in concrete forms to reinforce concrete walls, floors, highways, bridges, or other structures.

JOB DUTIES

Reinforcing-Iron Workers may:

Determine the number, sizes, shapes, and locations of reinforcing material from blueprints, sketches, or oral instructions

Select the proper reinforcing material to be used to ensure public safety

Cut rods to required lengths, using metal shears, hacksaws, bar cutters, or acetylene torches

Place the reinforcing material in the forms

Bend steel rods with hand tools and rodbending machines, and weld them with arc-welding equipment

Ensure that all reinforcing material is in its proper position so that it receives its intended structural load

Fasten the material together with wire or by welding reinforcing bars together

Attach the reinforcing material to supports in the concrete form to keep it from moving

Click here to see a video on Ironworkers at work.

Machines, tools, and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Reinforcing-Iron Workers may specialize in these areas:

801.684-026 REINFORCING-METAL WORKERS position and secure steel bars, rods or wire mesh in concrete forms to reinforce concrete walls, floors, highways, bridges, or other structures.

Although a journey-level worker is expected to know all aspects of reinforcing-iron work, there is much specialization within the trade, according to the type of construction being done or the material being used.

869.687-026 REINFORCING-IRON-WORKER HELPERS place suitable supports in concrete forms according to instructions, carry reinforcing material to the work area, and assist in putting the material in place.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Reinforcing-Iron Workers may work alone on small construction projects or as a member of a construction crew on large projects under the direction of a project supervisor. Most Reinforcing-Iron Workers work outdoors in all kinds of weather on building or heavy construction, highway construction, or other non-building projects. Some work indoors when adding new walls or floors to an existing structure.

Above average strength is required to handle heavy and bulky materials. Workers use proper safety precautions and equipment to avoid falls; cuts from reinforcing material, power equipment, or hand tools; and burns from welding equipment or hot materials.

Their schedules vary depending on the weather, construction activity, and their particular employer. Workers may work 50-60 hours per week in spring and summer months, when construction activity is the heaviest. Because most of their work takes place outdoors, their work schedule may be much less than the standard 40-hour work week in the winter or during bad weather.

Reinforcing-Iron Workers must sometimes travel long distances for jobs. Because the local demand for workers is not always large enough to keep crews employed continuously, some contractors keep crews working by moving them to different parts of the country.

Most workers are required to furnish their own uniforms or work clothes. Employers generally furnish hard-hats, hard toed shoes, safety glasses, welding masks, and other similar equipment.

Reinforcing-Iron Workers install wire mesh and reinforcing steel called "Re- rods" placed in the base of the building or any other part of the building where concrete is poured. They should not be confused with the Structural Iron Workers (Career Exploration Script #129) who install the "I-beams" that form the structural support for buildings. Many workers belong to labor unions.

Those who join unions, such as the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers must pay monthly dues.

  You Should Prefer:

• Working with things and objects

• Performing activities that use machines, processes or methods

• Activities which bring satisfaction from working on/producing thing

You Should Be Able To:

• Visualize how blueprints/drawings/pictures would look as solid objects

• Use your hands and arms easily and skillfully

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Rate information using standards which can be measured or checked

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If you need a piece of steel 10 feet long to reinforce a ceiling, how many meters is it?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Despite everyone's best efforts, however, accidents do sometimes occur. If you are involved in any accident while at work, report it to your supervisor immediately.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining any problems that may have occurred on the job.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best material to use when you are reinforcing a given ceiling.

Click here for a more extensive list of information sources for Apprenticeships.

                                                                                                                                [back to top]

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation. And those attending an Apprenticeship program (usually three to four years of training beyond High School).also complete prescribed courses related to the trade.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

  ***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

035 CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

Construction and Building Technology programs provide opportunities to gain the needed knowledge and skills for employment in the many different types of construction and building jobs. Individuals who teach Construction and Building Technology at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate .

Courses within this program will vary but may include:

     Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

  ***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

042 REINFORCING-IRON WORKER

Some people enter occupations within this Career Exploration script through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Training Programs related to this Career Exploration script.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

                                                                                                                               [back to top]

 OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Persons interested in working as a Reinforcing-Iron Worker may obtain summer or part-time work as a helper, which would allow them to observe the duties of an experienced Worker. Postsecondary programs in construction and building technology may offer co-op opportunities. Training and experience may also be gained in a formal apprenticeship program.

  School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Reinforcing-Iron Worker employer

internships

volunteer work with a Reinforcing-Iron Worker employer

community service work with an agency

Workers enter through an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are typically offered by unions, but may be offered by contractor associations. Assistance in locating jobs may be obtained from high school placement offices, local offices of the Michigan Works!, and union locals. Some employers list openings in newspaper want ads. In addition you should access on-line job search sites such as:

Associated General Contractors of Michigan    

American Road and Transportation Builders of America

Associated Builders and Contractors

Building Industry Exchange

Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association

ConstructionGigs.com

Construction Jobs

Construction Work

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Michigan Talent Bank  

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

                                                                                                                                   [back to top]

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Reinforcing-Iron Workers vary according to union affiliation, geographic location, employer, and number of hours worked per year.

Nationally, Reinforcing-Iron Workers working in residential construction had an average base hourly union wage rate of $23.59 in early 2009. And Reinforcing-Iron Workers employed in commercial and industrial construction earned an hourly wage of $39.11. In 2008, median weekly earnings were $723 or about $18.08 per hour for Reinforcing-Iron Workers. The median hourly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $18.05 in 2008.

In early 2009, the hourly wage rates, including fringe benefits, of unionized Reinforcing-Iron Workers during Commercial Construction in Michigan were:

Apprentice Reinforcing-Iron Workers generally started at 60%-75% of the hourly rate paid to experienced workers and receive increases as they gain experience. Overtime pay is usually 1 1/2 - 2 times the hourly rate.

Annual earnings for these Workers, however, are generally lower than hourly wages would indicate because the number of hours they work in a year can be limited by poor weather and fluctuations in construction activity.

The 2007 graduates of high school vocational education programs in Michigan working in jobs related to this occupation earned a beginning average of $10.37 per hour in 2008.

Iron Workers usually receive vacations and holiday pay; health, life, accident, and disability insurance; and pension plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer. In some cases, employers and employees may jointly contribute to a union trust fund used to pay for certain fringe benefits.

Reinforcing-Iron Workers generally begin as helpers or apprentices. After gaining necessary skills and experience or completing the three-year apprenticeship, they advance to the experienced level. Additional training or experience may lead to positions as structural or ornamental-iron workers. Very few eventually open their own iron working business.

                                                                                                                                            [back to top]

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

About 30,200 Reinforcing-Iron Workers were employed nationally in 2006. Employment in this occupation is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. Some openings will result from the need to replace experienced Workers who retire or leave for other reasons. All Reinforcing-Iron Workers worked in construction, mostly for commercial contractors. The industry distribution for Reinforcing-Iron Workers looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

About 475 Reinforcing-Iron Workers are employed in Michigan. Most work in or near large metropolitan areas for construction contractors. Some work for government agencies; public utilities; steel companies engaged in the construction of bridges, dams and large buildings; and large industrial firms that do their own construction work. Very few are self-employed.

Employment of Reinforcing-Iron Workers in Michigan is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. Some openings are expected to replace those who retire, die or leave the labor force. Additional openings may occur to replace Workers who transfer to other jobs or occupations. In late 2008, there were 10 apprentices in training for this occupation.

Employment, however, depends heavily on the economy. With the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, many new jobs will be created in the construction industry, especially in Michigan. Public works construction, particularly road and bridge building and repair will provide major opportunities for Reinforcing-Iron Workers. Job openings for Ironworkers usually are more plentiful during early spring when the weather warms up and the level of construction activity increases.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2014

MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area.

                                                                                                                               [back to top]

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                                                                                                               [back to top]

Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth