Structural Ironworker

Structural ironworkers build the steel frames that shape our cities. Explore their work, tools, rigging, connections, hazard awareness and apprenticeship path in Episode 2 of Beyond the Hard Hat. Episode 2 follows the work from drawings and steel staging to rigging, connecting, bolt-up, welding, tools, and hazard awareness. We also explore the working day, apprenticeship training, local pay and benefits, career growth, and questions to ask before applying. Visuals are AI-generated jobsite illustrations created through Runway, with AI-generated narration. These scenes illustrate the trade; they are not documentary recordings of specific workers or jobsites. Large captions highlight the spoken words. This is a trade and career overview. Actual work must follow the applicable training, project procedures, and site requirements. Apprenticeship requirements, wages, benefits, and work availability vary by program and location. CHAPTERS 00:00 The skeleton in the sky 01:05 What structural ironworkers do 02:09 Plan the steel. Plan the lift. 02:35 Rigging and communication 03:14 Making the connection 03:52 Alignment, bolt-up and welding 04:40 The tools of the trade 05:39 Fall protection is a system 06:30 Reading the hazards 07:23 The working day 08:18 The apprenticeship path 09:07 Pay, benefits and getting started 10:16 Skills that open doors 11:05 Is this trade right for you? 12:13 Questions to ask locally 12:56 Every connection matters LEARN MORE U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Ironworkers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-... Iron Workers — Apprenticeship: https://www.ironworkers.org/s/apprent... New York Ironworkers Locals 40 and 361 — Apprenticeship: https://nycironworkers.org/ OSHA — Steel Erection: https://www.osha.gov/steel-erection #BeyondTheHardHat #SkilledTrades #TradeCareers #ConstructionCareers #Apprenticeship #Apprentice #UnionTrades #UnionCareers #Construction #Trades #CareerExploration #CareerEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #BlueCollar #BlueCollarCareers #SkilledLabor #TradeSchool #VocationalTraining #TechnicalEducation #CareerPath #CareerGoals #JobTraining #OnTheJobTraining #EarnWhileYouLearn #HighPayingJobs #NoCollegeDebt #AlternativeCareers #HandsOnCareers #ConstructionLife #ConstructionJobs #TradeJobs #BuildingTrades #UnionApprenticeship #UnionStrong #WorkingClass #AmericanWorkforce #FutureOfWork #WorkforceEducation #CareerAdvice #JobSkills #LearnATrade #ChooseATrade #StartACareer #CareerChange #HighSchoolCareers #CollegeAlternatives #YoungWorkers #NextGeneration #TradesEducation #SkilledTradesCareers #ConstructionIndustry #IndustrialTrades #InfrastructureJobs #EssentialWorkers #CraftProfessionals #Journeyworker #Journeyman #SafetyFirst #PPE #ToolsOfTheTrade