This apprenticeship is in revision

A temporary dispensation has been applied to the assessment plan version ST0271/AP02/V1.1 for this apprenticeship. The dispensation will run until all the
apprentices registered to ST0271/AP02/V1.1 are complete. The dispensation may be withdrawn if it is no longer necessary.
End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) delivering EPAs for the apprenticeship will implement the dispensation as required, supported, and monitored by the relevant EQA provider.

The key changes are:
1. To allow the EPA practical assessment method to take place using option one ‘pile cap’ only with the following conditions applied: A range of specification designs for the delivery of option one ‘pile cap’ are used to reduce predictability

A revised version of this has been agreed and is available for information only at present. It will replace the version below for new starts from ​15 March 2024 with a funding band of £18,000. Further details of this and other apprenticeship in revision are available in the revisions status report.

Overview of the role

Assembling and installing steelworks required to strengthen reinforced concrete structures.

Details of standard

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in both the new build and refurbishment construction sector. The construction industry is central to delivering the homes, schools, hospitals, energy and transport infrastructure society demands. Steel Fixing is a core function within the construction sector. They work on various developments including commercial and industrial units, multi-storey housing and civil engineering projects like roadworks, tunnels and bridges.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to construct the steel reinforcement which forms a vital part of any concrete structure. A steel fixer constructs reinforcement for columns, beams, walls and floors no matter how big or small the construction project is.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other trades such as formwork carpenters, groundworkers, scaffolders as well as supervisors, site management, architects, designers, contractors and customers. The working environment is often outdoors on a construction site and can be physically demanding. Steel Fixers often work at height such as on high rise buildings and therefore health and safety is of paramount importance.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for working in a team, under supervision, using machinery and tools to create structures or components from the designs, digital model, plans and specifications of architects and designers that meet the client’s expectations. They construct the reinforcement structures by using steel wire to tie together various diameters of steel reinforcement bar or mesh matts, that will need to be cut to length, bent to shape and fixed together in order to complete a building's reinforced concrete structures. It is necessary to construct the steel reinforcement structures from the building's foundation to the highest point of the building/concrete structure. Steel fixers create the skeleton of a structure, constructing the steel reinforcement for ground beams, columns, floors, walls and slabs to which concrete is added to create the solid structure. Steel fixers cut and bend steel to form the structures as well as working with pre-manufactured and pre-fabricated elements. Components can be constructed in situ on a construction site where they are needed or constructed elsewhere, moved into position and tied into place. It is important that steel fixers work in a safe and accurate manner in order to complete the construction of the structure in accordance with the requirement set out in the construction drawings to maintain the integrity of the work.

 

Typical job titles include:

Steel fixer

Occupation duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 1 Select appropriate equipment and resources for the task and carry out pre-use checks to ensure it is fit for purpose.

K5 K6 K9

S1 S4 S6

B2 B3 B4

Duty 2 Prepare the work area, checking it is safe and in accordance with method statements and risk assessments

K1 K2 K8

S1 S4

B2 B3 B4 B6

Duty 3 Identify and confirm installation requirements for pre-assembled (e.g. Columns or beams) and manufactured elements and components (e.g. cut or bent reinforcement bars) against specification/drawings/construction information.

K3 K5 K9

S3 S4

B2 B3 B4

Duty 4 Work in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act and relevant regulations , in compliance with organisational requirements in construction environments that negates health and safety hazards, major hazards, environmental aspects and risks associated with the various activities.

K1 K2 K3 K7 K8

S1

B1 B2 B4 B5 B6

Duty 5 Use a range of equipment, hand and power tools to carry out the assembly and installation of pre-assembled and manufactured elements

K6 K14

S5 S6

B2 B3 B4

Duty 6 Receive, unload, move and lift materials to site for installation following good handling practices preventing injury or damage.

K1 K2 K4

S1 S2

B2 B6

Duty 7 Work under supervision to align the installation of pre-assembled and manufactured elements into position including the use of digital equipment where appropriate e.g. laser levels, theodolites, Global Positioning Systems

K3 K7 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14

S5 S7 S9

B1 B2 B5

Duty 8 Produce shaped reinforcing steel structures to meet specification

K5 K9 K10 K11

S5 S7 S8

B2

Duty 9 Carry out quality checks against specification and take remedial action where instructed

K3 K5 K7 K9 K15

S3 S11

B1 B2 B5

Duty 10 Complete documentation related to the project e.g. timesheet, delivery notes, method statements

K3 K15

S10 S11

B2

Duty 11 Maintain a clear and tidy workspace and ensure that waste materials are disposed of in accordance with current legislation

K1 K2

S1

B2


KSBs

Knowledge

K1: The principles of environment, health, safety and welfare and how they must be applied in relation to their own work and others. Back to Duty

K2: The responsibilities under current legislation, and official guidance to undertake work (including Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Provision and Use of Workplace Equipment 1998, Working at Height Regulations 2005, Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992). Back to Duty

K3: Verbal and written communication techniques and their use in creating productive work practices. Back to Duty

K4: Safe techniques to move, lift and handle pre-assembled and manufactured elements. Back to Duty

K5: How to interpret various types of information for drawings and specifications in various types and formats including digital e.g. Building Information Modelling Back to Duty

K6: How to use and store hand tools and power tools. Back to Duty

K7: How to comply with specifications and drawings when assembling, positioning and fixing elements. Back to Duty

K8: The principles and practices of working at height safely and the use of access equipment Back to Duty

K9: The quality requirements of the materials and products that are being installed Back to Duty

K10: The different types of reinforcing bars and how they work together including joining and fixing. Back to Duty

K11: Techniques to measure, cut, bend and connect reinforcing steel Back to Duty

K12: Methods to install reinforcing steel in situ, including the different methods and risks associated with working with reinforcing steel. Back to Duty

K13: How to align the installation of pre-assembled and manufactured elements into position including the use of digital equipment where appropriate e.g. laser levels, theodolites, Global Positioning Systems Back to Duty

K14: Methods for installing pre-assembled and manufactured elements. Back to Duty

K15: How to complete post installation quality checks to ensure compliance with specification outlined in drawings and/or digital models and when to follow organisational reporting procedures to identify and rectify problems arising from information, resources and methods of work. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Apply workplace and legislative environmental health, safety and welfare requirements when undertaking construction steel fixing activities. Back to Duty

S2: Apply safe working techniques for moving, lifting and handling pre-assembled and manufactured elements, working at height and using access equipment. Back to Duty

S3: Interpret and work to drawings and specifications in various types and formats including digital e.g. Building Information Modelling Back to Duty

S4: Plan and undertake work practices productively to achieve minimal wastage and to meet deadlines. Back to Duty

S5: Assemble, position and fix manufactured elements (e.g. reinforcement bars) as per drawings and specifications Back to Duty

S6: Apply safe use and storage of hand tools and power tools Back to Duty

S7: Use a range of reinforcing steel products to shape and assemble structures. Back to Duty

S8: Measure, cut and bend and connect reinforcing steel. Back to Duty

S9: Position and fix pre-assembled elements according to specification, using digital equipment where appropriate. Back to Duty

S10: Communicate with colleagues or customers; using common industry terminology appropriately and accurately. Back to Duty

S11: Complete post installation checks to ensure quality through compliance with specification outlined in drawings and/or digital models . Report and rectify problems as necessary Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Team work: work effectively with others respecting equality, diversity and inclusion Back to Duty

B2: Independent working: take responsibility for completion of your own work. Back to Duty

B3: Logical thinking: Use clear and valid reasoning when making decisions to undertake the work instruction Back to Duty

B4: Working effectively: work in a reliable, logical and productive manner, demonstrating time management effectively to complete work instructions to schedule. Back to Duty

B5: Adaptability: be able to adjust to changes in the work instruction. Back to Duty

B6: Assertiveness and confidence: able to resist pressures to work following unsafe practices Back to Duty


Qualifications

English and Maths


Additional details

Occupational Level:

2

Duration (months):

18

Review

Status: Approved for delivery (available for starts)
Level: 2
Reference: ST0271
Version: 1.1
Date updated: 11/12/2023
Approved for delivery: 16 May 2017
Route: Construction and the built environment
Typical duration to gateway: 18 months (this does not include EPA period)
Maximum funding: £15000
LARS Code: 171
EQA Provider: Ofqual
Employers involved in creating the standard: Laing O’Rourke, BAM Nuttall, Kier Construction, Costain, Morgan Sindall, Fit Out (GB) Ltd, H&H Joiners & Builders Ltd, Lovell Partnerships Ltd, Expanded Ltd, Tunnelcraft Ltd

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
Revised version awaiting implementation In revision 15/03/2024 Not set
1.1 Funding band, standard and end-point assessment plan revised. 21/05/2021 14/03/2024
1.0 Retired 16/05/2017 20/05/2021

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