Steph Noon on Ironworking, Apprenticeship & Women in Trades
Take a break, we're on Smoko. This week, we're joined by Steph Noon, an ironworker with experience in bridge structural, ornamental, and reinforcing steel work. Steph takes us inside the high-stakes, high-skill world of ironworking and offers a powerful perspective on what it means to thrive in the trades.
From her first introduction to ironwork to becoming a seasoned tradesperson, Steph walks us through the wide range of projects ironworkers contribute to—from residential buildings to nuclear power plants and cement plant shutdowns. She shares what she loved (and didn’t) about each job, and gives us a real look at the physical and mental demands of this work.
"Ironworking is about precision, power, and partnership—you're building the bones of something bigger." – Steph Noon
We also dig into the ironworker apprenticeship journey, covering everything from classroom hours to on-the-job training, and the union’s role in support and advocacy. Steph discusses opportunities for specialization, including welding and heavy machine operation, as well as the critical importance of safety culture on the job site.
For anyone curious about entering the trades, especially women navigating traditionally male-dominated spaces, Steph offers hard-earned wisdom, honest reflection, and encouragement.