How to Become an Ironworker (Generalist) in Manitoba
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Ironworker (Generalist) is a voluntary trade in Manitoba. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Voluntary designated trades means tradespeople are not required to be an apprentice or journeyperson to work in the trade.”
From gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/employers/hiring-apprentices.html, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 6 steps, listed one-time fees $200
- Trained outside Canada: 6 steps, listed one-time fees $200
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
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Apprenticeship Manitoba emails you the Apprenticeship Agreement, which you and your employer must sign.
Source
“Apprenticeship Manitoba sends an email to you with the Apprenticeship Agreement”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... -
You submit the signed agreement along with your education records and any related work or educational experience to Apprenticeship Manitoba for registration.
Source
“Provide documentation and register your Apprenticeship Agreement with Apprenticeship Manitoba”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... -
You complete the required on-the-job hours, technical training hours and exams according to the Act and your trade's regulation or by-law.
Source
“complete on-the-job hours, technical training hours and exams according to The Apprenticeship and Certification Act and for your specific trade regulation or by-law.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... -
After completing all levels and apprenticeship requirements, you must pass the certification (final) exam to qualify for a Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“Once you’ve completed all levels and apprenticeship requirements for your program, you must pass the certification (final) exam.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 6 done
- Listed one-time fees: $200
- 5 steps without a listed fee
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You complete the Trades Qualification Application form and follow its instructions.
Source
“Trades Qualification Application Form Complete and follow instructions.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You submit as many employer or statutory declaration forms as needed to meet the trade's requirements for approval.
Source
“Submit as many declaration forms as needed in order to meet the trade’s requirements for approval.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You provide copies of all trade-related certificates and credentials.
Source
“Provide copies of all trade-related certificates and credentials.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You include a non-refundable $200 payment with your application, made payable to Apprenticeship Manitoba.
- Application fee: $200
Source
“Include a $200 payment (non-refundable).”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...
Source
“Include a $200 payment (non-refundable).”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... - Application fee: $200
-
If you meet the requirements, Apprenticeship Manitoba notifies you by email that you are approved to challenge the certification exam as a trade qualifier.
Source
“If you meet the requirements, you will be notified via email that you have been approved to challenge the certification exam and you are accepted as a trade qualifier.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You write the certification exam, which must be written in Manitoba.
Source
“Trades qualification certification exams must be written in Manitoba.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $200
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $200 | 100% |
| One-time total | $200 | 100% |
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 6 done
- Listed one-time fees: $200
- 5 steps without a listed fee
-
You complete the Trades Qualification Application form and follow its instructions.
Source
“Trades Qualification Application Form Complete and follow instructions.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You submit as many employer or statutory declaration forms as needed to meet the trade's requirements for approval.
Source
“Submit as many declaration forms as needed in order to meet the trade’s requirements for approval.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You provide copies of all trade-related certificates and credentials.
Source
“Provide copies of all trade-related certificates and credentials.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You include a non-refundable $200 payment with your application, made payable to Apprenticeship Manitoba.
- Application fee: $200
Source
“Include a $200 payment (non-refundable).”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...
Source
“Include a $200 payment (non-refundable).”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... - Application fee: $200
-
If you meet the requirements, Apprenticeship Manitoba notifies you by email that you are approved to challenge the certification exam as a trade qualifier.
Source
“If you meet the requirements, you will be notified via email that you have been approved to challenge the certification exam and you are accepted as a trade qualifier.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You write the certification exam, which must be written in Manitoba.
Source
“Trades qualification certification exams must be written in Manitoba.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $200
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $200 | 100% |
| One-time total | $200 | 100% |
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Level Placement Exam: $200
Source
“Level Placement Exam $200”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... - NSF Cheque Service Fee: $20
Source
“NSF Cheque Service Fee $20”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... - Technical Training: $425 (starting at)
Source
“Technical Training (click link for full fee breakdown) Starting at $425”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...
Requirements
Education
When registering your Apprenticeship Agreement you must submit a copy of your education records, or state in your application if you do not have Grade 12 or equivalent education.
Source
“a copy of your education records (post-secondary transcript, or high school diploma, and/or Grade 12 transcripts, GED certificate/ Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC), or equivalent).”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...
Experience
To challenge the certification exam as a trade qualifier you need 4.5 years of experience and 8,100 hours required.
Source
“Challenging the Exam - Trades Qualification: 4.5 Years of Experience 8,100 Hours Required”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/ironworker.htmlYour application is reviewed to ensure you have a minimum number of years and hours working in the trade and experience in at least 70 per cent of the scope of the trade.
Source
“experience (skills) in at least 70 per cent scope of the trade”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...
Residency
You must reside in Manitoba when you apply, whether as an apprentice or as a trade qualifier.
Source
“Whether you plan to be an apprentice, or plan to challenge the certification exam as a trade qualifier, you must reside in Manitoba when you apply.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/newcomers.htmlYou must be a Manitoba resident to apply as a trade qualifier.
Source
“You must be a Manitoba resident to apply as a trade qualifier.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/ironworker.html
Other
You must provide a letter from an employer or reference confirming your experience, and hours worked as a registered apprentice do not count toward trade qualification experience.
Source
“As part of your application, you must provide a letter from an employer or reference as a form of proof that you meet the experience requirements for your trade.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
If you have received Red Seal certification for a trade, it will continue to be recognized in Manitoba; non-Red Seal certification in a compulsory trade is assessed case by case. Source
“If you have received Red Seal certification for any trade (voluntary or compulsory certification), it will continue to be recognized in Manitoba. If you received certification that is not Red Seal in a compulsory certification trade, this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier....
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
Exams
-
certification exam (Red Seal exam)
Source
“## Red Seal Exam Information”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/ironworker.htmlWhich provinces ask for the certification exam (Red Seal exam)
-
Level Placement Exam
Source
“Level Placement Exam $200”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | $25.07 | $35.00 | $48.00 | Very limited (1 of 5) |
| Canada | $29.00 | $43.00 | $49.80 | — |
Ironworkers (Generalist) in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/employers/hiring-apprentices.html · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier.... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/newcomers.html · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/ironworker.html · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as an ironworker (Generalist) in Manitoba?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Manitoba. Certification is managed by Apprenticeship Manitoba.
Which exams are required?
certification exam (Red Seal exam), Level Placement Exam.
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