INTRODUCTION
Job Title: Iron Worker
Name: Sonia Harte
Company Overview: Sonia Harte works as an Iron Worker at NEAL, contributing to the fabrication and assembly of steel structures at the Bull Arm facility. Her work supports large-scale oil and gas projects, where she specializes in fitting metals like steel and aluminum for welding.
Job Overview
In her role, Sonia begins her day early, commuting to the Bull Arm facility to join her team. Her daily tasks include cutting, bolting, and sorting metal components. As the chairperson of the site’s Trades Safety Committee, she takes an active role in workplace safety, saying, “Being on the committee lets me support my colleagues and expand my skills in a new way.”
Career Path
Sonia’s career took a shift at age 40 when she pursued the Ironworker Generalist Program at the Ironworkers’ Training Centre. Initially working in medical administration for 15 years, she later sought a hands-on trade career and discovered her interest in metalwork. “I wanted to build things, and ironworking felt like the perfect fit,” she reflects. Additional training, such as fall arrest and confined space certification, further prepared her for her role.
Day in the Life
Sonia’s day begins with a safety meeting before she heads to the topsides area, where she contributes to the Hebron gravity-based structure. Her tasks vary from cutting and fitting steel to assembling larger structures. In her position, she values the diverse and dynamic work environment, which keeps each day engaging. She advises newcomers to “be open to learning and adapting to new challenges daily.”
