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Canada Welcomes Foreign Ironworkers Under New ELMO Pilot Project

A new Expedited Labor Market Opinion (ELMO) pilot project is making it easier for ironworkers to enter Canada as temporary workers. In Canada, ironworkers work with steel and other metals to construct bridges, buildings, dams, highway overpasses and other structures. In the process, they fabricate, erect, service and install beams, girders, rebar and ornamental ironwork.

Ironworker Duties

According to ELMO, to be considered as a temporary worker in Canada, ironworkers must be able to perform the following duties:

Read blueprints and other technical documents
Coordinate with other ironworkers and crane operators to unload and position equipment and materials according to blueprint specifications
Erect scaffolding and rigging
Weld, bolt or otherwise attach steel components
Erect and install pre-cast concrete components, both structural and architectural
Install rebar and other concrete reinforcing materials
Install ornamental metalwork
Inspect structures and equipments to ensure safety and compliance with specifications

Ironworker Qualifications

ELMO specifies that ironworkers who want to work in Canada must have:

Received a high school diploma or equivalent
Completed a 2-3 year apprenticeship program OR worked for 3+ years in the trade and taken some related courses in college or secondary school

In Alberta, trade certification is mandatory. Trade certification for ironworkers is available in British Columbia, but it is not required.

Ironworker Wages

According to ELMO, wages for ironworkers in Canada vary according to region. Wages are highest in Fort McMurray and St. Paul/Lloydminster ($31.89/hour). The lowest average wage is in British Columbia's Lower Mainland region ($24.28/hour).

If you meet the above qualifications and would like to learn more about the ELMO pilot project and/or working as an ironworker in Canada, we encourage you to visit the official ELMO web site.