The trade
What an ironworker does.
Ironworkers (also known as structural steel erectors under CCQ classification) fabricate, erect, and assemble every iron and steel component for buildings, bridges, overpasses, and other structures, using bolting, welding, rigging, and assembly of beams, columns, stairs, and architectural metal elements. They work at height on large-scale sites and must handle lifting equipment and specialized tools while meeting strict safety standards.
CCQ rate
$45.36 – $48.88 / hour (journeyperson, May 2025, depending on sector)
Hourly rates are set by CCQ collective agreements and vary by sector (residential, institutional-commercial, industrial, civil engineering and roads) and by whether the worker is an apprentice or journeyperson. Check the official current rate grid on the CCQ site: ccq.org/fr-CA/avantages-sociaux/salaire-taux.
Why it's tight
The pool is thin. Speed makes the difference.
In 2024, 698 companies were recruiting structural steel erectors against 3,596 active workers, of whom only 966 were apprentices — a ratio that shows the pressure on the pipeline. Only 186 new apprentices were admitted into the trade in 2024, not enough to offset anticipated retirements in an aging workforce. The CCQ officially rates job prospects for this trade as 'excellent.' Add to that numerous major infrastructure projects underway in Quebec (the Montreal Metro Blue Line extension, major civil engineering and institutional projects across several regions), which are driving up demand for qualified journeypersons.
That's exactly where Aplomb wins: Audrey activates candidates in under 2 minutes, 24/7. While others call back the next day, your ironworker is already talking to us.
What we check
Before it lands on your desk.
- Valid CCQ journeyperson (CCC) or apprentice (CCA) competency certificate
- Completed the DEP in Structural and Architectural Erection (5364) or a CCQ-recognized equivalent
- Hold the ASP Construction card (general construction site health and safety)
- Skilled at reading structural steel plans and applying bolting, rigging, and assembly techniques at height
- Practical experience on institutional, industrial, or civil engineering sites (steel structures, bridges, multi-storey buildings)
Competency card
How an ironworker qualifies.
This trade is regulated by the CCQ under the R-20 Act. To enter the trade, a candidate must obtain an apprentice competency certificate (CCA) — issued on presentation of the DEP in Structural and Architectural Erection (5364, 1,230 hours) and a job guarantee of at least 150 hours from a CCQ-registered employer, plus passing the General Construction Site Health and Safety course (ASP Construction). The apprenticeship covers 3 periods of 2,000 hours each (6,000 hours total). At the end, the worker sits the provincial qualification exam (3 hours, 60 questions, 60% pass threshold) to earn the journeyperson competency certificate (CCC). The regulatory apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio is 1 apprentice per 2 journeypersons in industrial, institutional-commercial, and civil engineering and roads; 1:1 in residential.
Frequently asked questions
Hiring an ironworker, plainly.
What apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio do I need to respect on my sites?
In industrial, institutional-commercial, and civil engineering and roads, the regulatory ratio is 1 apprentice per 2 journeypersons (2-1). In residential, it's 1:1. Exceptions allow up to 2 apprentices per journeyperson under certain conditions (apprentice in final period or a female apprentice) — these don't stack.
How do I find available ironworkers?
The CCQ runs a workforce referral service for registered employers. In high-demand periods, targeting DEP graduates from the Structural and Architectural Erection program (offered in Montreal) and workers looking for new hours is a solid move. Posting your openings on construction-focused job platforms also speeds up recruiting.
What should I check before hiring an ironworker?
Confirm the worker holds a valid CCQ competency certificate (journeyperson or apprentice) — you can verify this on the CCQ's employer portal. Make sure their ASP Construction card is current. For work at height or involving welding, also confirm the specific certifications your sites require.
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- 90-day replacement guarantee.
- We respond to candidates in <2 min, 24/7.
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Also by region
ironworkers in your area.
We recruit across Québec. See the candidate job pages by region for this trade.