Ironworker at Iron Workers Lu #33 Jac Rochester
at Iron Workers Lu #33 Jac Rochester in Rochester, NY
About This Program
Iron Workers Local 33 JAC Rochester sponsors a registered union ironworker apprenticeship in Rochester, NY. This JATC-affiliated program delivers structured training for individuals entering the structural and reinforcing ironworking trades in western and central New York. Apprentices are paid throughout the four-year program and work under the supervision of journeyman ironworkers.
The apprenticeship requires 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain hands-on experience in structural steel erection, reinforcing iron and rebar installation, rigging and hoisting, metal decking, and basic welding. Classroom sessions cover blueprint reading, OSHA safety regulations, rigging calculations, and ironworking trade theory.
Graduates earn journeyman ironworker status and union membership in Local 33, qualifying them for skilled work on the commercial, institutional, and infrastructure projects that drive Rochester's construction industry. Union membership provides access to negotiated wages and a competitive benefits package for the long term.
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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