Ironworker at Iron Workers Local 25 Training Center
at Iron Workers Local 25 Training Center in Wixom, MI
About This Program
The Iron Workers Local 25 Training Center in Wixom, MI sponsors a comprehensive union ironworker apprenticeship registered with the Department of Labor. As a JATC-affiliated program, it upholds rigorous training standards and prepares apprentices for skilled careers in the construction trades. Apprentices receive pay throughout their training.
Over four years, apprentices complete 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction. Job site work covers structural steel erection, metal deck installation, rigging, and reinforcing steel placement. Technical instruction addresses blueprint reading, welding, load calculations, and workplace safety, including OSHA compliance.
Finishing the program earns graduates journeyman ironworker status, a portable and respected credential across Michigan's construction industry. Local 25 union membership supports access to competitive wages, health benefits, and a pension — making this a strong long-term career investment.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$29
OJT Hours
6,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
4 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
How to Apply
Ironworker Career Outlook
National Median
$28.82/hr
~$59,945.6/yr
Apprentice Start
$18/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Ironworker employment is tied to large-scale construction activity including commercial buildings, bridges, and infrastructure. Federal infrastructure investment and urban development continue to drive demand. The trade has a relatively small workforce, so retirements create proportionally more openings. Ironworkers with welding and rigging certifications are in highest demand.
What to Expect as an Ironworker Apprentice
Duration
4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~30 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (6,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Ironworker
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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