Steel fixer

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

Salary Range: £14,000 to £35,000

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

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job by doing a steel fixer intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

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

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Direct application

You could apply directly to work as a steel fixer. You’ll usually need work-based qualifications in construction or engineering, or site experience.

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

More information

Registration

• you’ll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site

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, coordination, dexterity and grace
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with your hands
• 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

Your day-to-day duties could include:

• setting out the work area, following engineering plans
• using hand and power tools to cut and bend bars or mesh
• tying rebar (reinforcement bars) together with wire, clips or welds to build up sections
• fitting spacers and ‘chairs’ (supports)
• fixing the wooden formwork and shuttering used to hold setting concrete in place
• fixing steel to concrete bases
• installing beams and pre-cast slabs
• working 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, noisy, dirty, physically demanding, outdoors in all weathers and cramped.

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

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to supervisory roles, train to become an engineering technician or set up your own business.