Ironworker at Iron Workers Local 70 JATC
at Iron Workers Local 70 JATC in Louisville, KY
About This Program
Iron Workers Local 70 JATC in Louisville, KY offers a union ironworker apprenticeship through its Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. This registered program trains individuals in all aspects of the ironworking trade while paying them from the first day of their apprenticeship.
The four-year program includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work alongside journeymen on structural steel erection, reinforcing bar installation, rigging, welding, and ornamental ironwork. Classroom training covers blueprint reading, rigging calculations, welding fundamentals, safety codes, and fall protection techniques.
Graduates earn journeyman ironworker status and full membership in Iron Workers Local 70. Louisville's dynamic construction sector provides journeyman ironworkers with access to major commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects, with union wages and fringe benefits negotiated through collective bargaining.
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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