Overview
The Ironworker foundation program prepares students for a career as structural ironworkers.
Structural ironworkers erect structural steel girders, plates and columns, and join them permanently to form a framework or a completed structure. Work is usually broken down into various phases with separate crews, such as the raising gang or the high-tensile bolt gang. The workers are usually interchangeable on all phases of work except for welding, an activity which requires additional training. Workers with the crew are usually designated according to the work they do: bolter-up, connector, hooker-on or rigger, rod man, welder, sheeter and curtain wall.
The Ironworker Foundation program has General Admission intakes typically in January and July each year. Please contact the Admissions Department for specific dates and registration.
The Program
Basic theory and related information along with hands-on shop and field practice enable students to become competent in basic ironworking activities.
Ironworkers must be able to work at heights and in adverse weather. Potential students must arrange for an interview after their application has been accepted by contacting the Ironworker instructor at 604-456-1049.
Missed an info session?
If you have missed the Ironworkers information session, you can watch the full video.
Note: This information session was held June 16, 2016 and topics discussed in this session are subject to change without notice.
Your Safety is our Priority!
Check out our Steel Trades Safety Videos!
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Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Entrance requirements
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS: Effective Fall 2024, BCIT will implement English Language Proficiency (ELP) categories for programs requiring a minimum of English 12 with 50%, 67%, or 73% into Categories 1,2,3, and Graduate Studies. This will allow students who have met their English Language Proficiency requirements using a method other than BC Secondary School English to easily see the equivalent option for their desired program. Applications submitted for intakes scheduled to start on or after September 1, 2024, (or received starting October 1, 2023 for programs with rolling start dates) will be evaluated using the new English Language Proficiency (ELP) categories. The ELP categories replace the previous English requirements.
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains. When available intakes are full, qualified applicants are wait-listed.
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements prior to applying to this program. If you are uncertain or don’t meet the requirements we strongly recommend you complete any applicable Trades Entry Assessments before applying.
Step 1: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English language proficiency: one of the following:
- Category 3 – English Studies 12 (50%) or equivalent or
- BCIT English Trades Entry Assessment
- Math: one of the following:
- Foundations of Math and Pre-Calculus 10 (50%) or
- Workplace Math 10 (50%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment
Read more about how to meet BCIT’s entrance requirements
Step 2: Department assessment
Applications will be reviewed and assessed by the program area when the entrance requirements are complete. Applicants will be contacted for the following:
- Assessment meeting with the department
Recommended for success
- Good physical condition is required for success in the Ironworker trade, as well as good hearing. Students with medical or physical difficulties should contact Accessibility Services to arrange an interview with an institute rehabilitation specialist at 604-451-6963.
Trades Discovery
The Trades Discovery General and Trades Discovery for Women are full-time programs designed to prepare participants to successfully enter and complete a Trades Training program.International applicants
This program is not available to international students. View available programs
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
January and July
*Scheduled intakes are subject to change
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
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Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition fees, visit Full-Time Studies Tuition & Fees.
Books & supplies
$350 (general estimated cost, and subject to change)
The student will supply their own CSA steel-toed boots, hardhat, non-flammable work clothing, and wet/cold weather work gear. The student should also have access to a basic computer, such as a laptop or tablet, for accessing digital resources and submitting coursework.
BCIT will supply one pair of basic non-prescription safety glasses, disposable hearing protection, one pair of welding and one pair of fitting gloves, fall protection, toolbelts, and all tools and materials required to complete the defined shop and field practical projects.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
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Courses
Class hours
0700–1330, Monday through Friday
Program matrix
Required Courses: | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
IWKR 1200 | Apply Safe Work Practices | 2.0 | |
IWKR 1201 | Apply Foundations of Math | 2.0 | |
IWKR 1202 | Apply Foundations of Drafting | 1.0 | |
IWKR 1203 | Use Blueprints and Specifications | 1.0 | |
IWKR 1204 | Use Tools and Equipment | 2.0 | |
IWKR 1205 | Perform Flame, Arc Cutting and Gouging | 4.0 | |
IWKR 1206 | Perform Arc Welding | 6.0 | |
IWKR 1207 | Perform Rigging, Hoisting, and Lifting | 4.0 | |
IWKR 1208 | Perform Crane Work, Planning, and Procedures | 2.0 | |
IWKR 1209 | Apply the Principles of Layout for Construction | 2.0 | |
IWKR 1210 | Apply the Principles of Structural Steel Construction | 12.0 | |
IWKR 1211 | Apply the Principles of Reinforced Concrete Construction | 6.0 | |
IWKR 1212 | Apply the Principles of Pre-stressed Construction | 2.0 | |
Total Credits: | 46.0 |
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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Program Details
Program length
23 weeks, full-time
Grading
An overall minimum of 70% grade point average for the program, a minimum passing grade of 70% in IWKR 1200 - Apply Safe Work Practices, and a minimum passing grade of 50% in all other courses are required to successfully complete the program.
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
SkilledTradesBC
BCIT transfers the student's name, contact information, Personal Education Number (PEN), and the name and date of the completed Foundation program to SkilledTradesBC. This information is used for the purposes of tracking successful completions in order to grant credit towards apprenticeship where applicable, and communicating with trainees to promote continuation in an apprenticeship program.- Go back Courses
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Graduating & Jobs
Job Opportunities
Training prepares students for entry-level employment in the ironworking trade. Upon successful completion of the program, students may seek employment as apprentices. With the present level of industrial and commercial construction, job opportunities exist in both the structural steel and reinforced concrete sectors of the construction industry.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
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Contact Us
Mike McKoryk
Department Head
Tel: 604-456-1262
Email: mike_mckoryk@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.