Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

The Work

Places and secures steel bars on construction sites.

This steel is used to reinforce the entire structure on large buildings, making it a fundamental component of building.

Erectors and Fixers work on all kinds of projects, industrial, residential or commercial, as well as large public infrastructure projects.

Steel erectors create the steel frame installed early in construction projects, using steel pipers, beams and girders.

Steel fixers’ on the other hand work on shaping and bending steel in compliance with the project designs. They also reinforce concrete constructions with steel beams.

While they work alongside each other and have interrelated skillsets and overlapping projects the two occupations do involve distinct roles.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sises of materials required.
• Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.
• Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.
• Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.
• Hoist steel beams, girders, or columns into place, using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members.
• Verify vertical and horisontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.
• Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment.
• Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guard rails.
• Force structural steel members into final positions, using turnbuckles, crowbars, jacks, or hand tools.
• Pull, push, or pry structural steel members into approximate positions for bolting into place.

Further Information

• Steelfixer / Erector - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Steelfixer / Erector - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

There is no specific Apprenticeship program. But Construction & Engineering based Apprenticeships will develop you skills, knowledge, and experience to branch into working in Steel fixing in the construction sector. 

Key skill certs:

Manual handling 

Safepass 

Working at Height [MEWP] Mobile elevated work platforms certs 

Welding (Mig & Tig) / Concreting nfq level 4

These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET Coursefinder.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship Construction skills, precision engineering, Manufacturing operations training Search FET Traineeships

FET Centre PLC courses: Building, construction technology, engineering, and sustainable construction NFQ level 5 search our PLC coursefinder 

Apprenticeship: Metal Fabrication & Allied engineering NFQ level 6-7 Search Apprenticeships

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €44k

Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ CIF rates

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels in 2022 returned to pre-COVID-19 levels after declining for the previous two years. The Census data shows that employment is spread across a number of roles, all of which increased between 2016 and 2022.

The share aged 55 years and older fell between quarter 4 2021 and quarter 4 2022 from 38% to 23%; although still above the national average of 19%, job opportunities through replacement demand have likely lessened. The Recruitment Agency Survey identified issues with sourcing steel fixers/erectors, curtain wallers, and fitters/glaziers with Skills for Growth data suggesting issues with recruiting roofers for the construction sector. New employment permits issued in 2022 related to foremen, fitters/glaziers and tilers.

Vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland were mainly for glaziers, tilers, roofers/solar panel installers. Roofing awards from QQI totalled 54 in 2022, up slightly compared to 2020 and 2021 but still below their pre-pandemic level of 84. The DFHERIS report notes that it is becoming increasingly common for roofs to be constructed offsite which is likely to have knock-on effects for demand for these skills but a significant increase in retrofitting activities would likely see increased demand for roofers and glaziers. Although future shortages may emerge, albeit in small numbers, none are evident at present. 

• Construction Industry Federation

  • Construction House, Canal Road, Dublin 6
  • (01) 406 6000
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