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Steel fixer

Alternative titles for this job include

Steel fixers install and tie together steel bars and mesh that is used to strengthen concrete on construction projects.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£37,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 44 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends occasionally

How to become a steel fixer

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could take a construction or engineering qualification at college. This could help you to find a trainee job with a company when you finish.

Courses include:

  • Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills
  • Level 2 Award in Skills for Engineering

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do an intermediate steel fixer apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You could apply directly to work as a steel fixer. To do this, you'll usually need work-based qualifications in construction or engineering, or on-site experience.

Employers may also want you to have some GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).

More Information

Registration

Further information

You can get more details about working and training as a steel fixer from Go Construct and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of building and construction
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • physical skills like movement and coordination
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • be able to cope with working at height

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this job, you'll:

  • set out the work area, following engineering plans
  • use hand and power tools to cut and bend bars or mesh
  • tie rebar - reinforcement bars - together with wire, clips or welds to build up sections
  • fit spacers and 'chairs' - supports
  • fix wooden formwork and shuttering that holds setting concrete in place
  • secure steel to concrete bases
  • install beams and pre-cast slabs
  • work closely with engineering designers, steel erectors and other construction workers

Working environment

You could work on high rise buildings, on a construction site or on other structures.

Your working environment may be at height, physically demanding, outdoors in all weathers and cramped.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

As an experienced steel fixer, you could become a site safety supervisor or engineering technician, or move into related areas like welding, scaffolding or training.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a steel fixer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a steel fixer?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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