First-Year Apprentice Ironworker (Reinforcing)

Job No: BCCAAS21
Location: British Columbia

  • Building the life you want starts with acquiring skills that are in demand.
  • As a Red Seal tradesperson, career potential is unlimited. 
  • It all starts with apprenticeship; a unique opportunity to earn and learn while building your career.

British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) Apprenticeship Services is launching a major industry-wide drive supporting small and medium construction employers to hire and register first-year apprentices.

This province-wide recruitment drive is administered by BCCA as part of the BCCA Apprentices Services campaign. BCCA is launching a 22-month campaign funded by the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service to enable small and medium-sized employers in BC’s construction industry to hire and register first-year apprentices. As part of the service to employers, BCCA will build a pool of qualified jobseekers, provide culture training via its Builders Code program, and mentorship support through its new Building Builders initiative. Additional apprenticeship supports, advice, and resources will also be made available to successful job applicants.

To learn more about BCCA Apprenticeship Services, click here.

About the Opportunity

British Columbia has an increasing demand for skilled tradespeople, resulting in rewarding employment opportunities. As a first-year apprenticeyou will be starting a career path towards obtaining your SkilledTradesBC trade certification and Red Seal endorsement. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on training while receiving a competitive wage for your work!

A typical day as an ironworker (reinforcing) could include working on steel installation and maintenance for high-rise buildings, highways, bridges, dams, stadiums, wind turbines, towers or solar panels. They work with slabs, walls, foundations, and occasionally prefabricated columns and zones. Additionally, Ironworkers cut, sort, and site bend rebar and other reinforcing steel materials for use in concrete structures.

Day-to-day as an apprentice you could be:

  • Using hand tools, power tools, and equipment 
  • Assisting the journeyperson to place large heavy building components high above the ground 
  • Practising workplace safety, following safety codes, and using personal protective equipment such as fall arrest equipment, aerial lift platforms, breathing apparatus, and fume extraction equipment   
  • Cutting and bending reinforcing materials based on specifications and drawings 
  • Working with welding equipment and all-terrain forklifts

About You

BCCA Apprenticeship Services is looking for applicants interested in pursuing a career in construction as a first-year apprentice ironworker (reinforcing). The ideal candidate should have at least 1 year of related experience and be interested in starting a career path towards certification as a Red Seal ironworker (reinforcing) and should be motivated to learn, reliable, and hardworking.

To succeed as a first-year apprentice ironworker (reinforcing), you: 

  • Communicate, work well with others, and follow directions well 
  • Have good dexterity and like to work with your hands
  • Enjoy working indoors or outdoors in all seasons 
  • Like to solve problems and build solutions
  • Are physically fit with stamina for manual labour
  • Have experience using hand and power tools
  • Are willing to follow safety guidelines at all times
  • Understand basic math
  • Have strong attention to detail
  • Are in good physical condition with good endurance
  • Are comfortable working at heights

Other qualifications can include (but are not required):

  • Hands-on experience in working with welding materials, hydraulic jacks, or pumps
  • Occupational First Aid training, Fall Protection training, or SiteReadyBC certification
  • High school diploma and/or completion of the Ironworker (Generalist) Foundation Program or Level 1 Ironworker (Reinforcing) Training from a SkilledTradesBC recognized post-secondary institution in BC
  • Valid BC driver’s license and reliable vehicle
  • Prior experience in construction (hobbies, summer jobs, or volunteer activities), agriculture or forestry, manufacturing, marine services or fisheries, municipal work, or other non-construction trades are a bonus

The Benefits of Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship offers a pathway to a successful career in construction. You will earn an income while gaining work-based training hours, education, and certification. Apprentices are eligible for government grants, tax credits, and employment insurance while attending training. This can help you offset the cost of training and certification and allow you to complete your apprenticeship and minimize student debt.

For more information on the benefits of apprenticeship, see SkilledTradesBC’s Apprentice Guidebook.

The starting hourly rate for first-year apprentices is usually between $17-$22/hour. It is determined by each employer and can vary depending on skills, location, and your experience. As a first-year apprentice new to a trade it is customary to begin at the bottom of the pay range but as you ‘earn and learn’ on the job, your pay will increase as you progress in your apprenticeship.

If this sounds like you, and you want to start your career in construction, we encourage you to apply today!

 

Note: Before applying, we recommend preparing a one-to-two-page skills-focused resume, including technical skills, education, and certifications you have. We also recommend including a cover letter focused on your story and prior experience to help employers understand why you’re a fit for the role and their company. Why not consider registering for a short/online construction-related course and listing it on your resume to help you stand out from other candidates?

What to Expect After You Apply

  • BCCA will match your skills, experience, and abilities to job openings with construction employers across BC, and your application will be featured in a pool of qualified candidates. 
  • BCCA Apprenticeship Services team will also provide you with resources to help you succeed in finding an employer sponsor. We will notify you when and if we find a match with an employer’s hiring requirements in your location, and we will forward your application directly to the employer on your behalf. It will be the employer’s decision to contact you for an interview. 
  • Your single application will generate multiple opportunities for you to be shortlisted and presented to different employers. Due to the high volume of applications, we will only contact shortlisted candidates.

Get Ready!

Here are some great resources you can use now to build your knowledge and experience in the trades:

BCCA is committed to promoting an inclusive worksite culture. We encourage all to apply, including but not limited to, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, newcomers to Canada, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. We work with employers through our Builders Code initiative to set a standard code of conduct for workers on construction sites in BC. It defines an “Acceptable Worksite” as the starting point for reducing risk and ensuring a safe and productive environment for all workers.

It is mandatory for BCCA Apprenticeship Services as a funded intermediary acting on behalf of Employment and Social Development Canada to provide information that has been collected from jobseekers. This includes any information related to jobseekers and apprentices hired from equity-deserving groups. Please refer to BCCA’s Collection, Use, and Disclosure of Personal Information Notice, which applies to your answers to Question 6.

 

Are you a construction employer?

If you are a BC-based small to medium-sized construction employer (<500 employees) looking to hire first-year apprentices, and receive thousands of dollars in financial incentives to assist you in doing so, apply now with BCCA Apprenticeship Services.

Funded by the Government of Canada's Apprenticeship Services

Apply Now

Personal Details * Required field

  1. Digits only or add + for international numbers

  1. (Please click on your profile and copy the URL from your profile page.)

Questions

Source Selection / Documents upload

Where did you hear about this job? *


Maximum file size: 50MB

Cover Letter

Resume *