Ironworker at Iron Workers Local 7 JATC
at Iron Workers Local 7 JATC in S Boston, MA
About This Program
Iron Workers Local 7 JATC in South Boston, MA offers a union ironworker apprenticeship through its Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. One of the region's established JATC programs, Local 7 trains apprentices to the highest standards in structural, reinforcing, and ornamental ironwork while paying them throughout their training.
The apprenticeship lasts four years and includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training paired with 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain experience in structural steel erection, rebar placement, rigging operations, welding, and ornamental ironwork on active jobsites. Technical classes cover blueprint reading, rigging mathematics, welding theory, crane signaling, and construction safety regulations.
Graduates become journeyman ironworkers and members of Iron Workers Local 7. Boston's strong construction market, including major commercial, institutional, and infrastructure projects, offers graduates a robust employment landscape with union wages and benefits.
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.
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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