Ironworker at Ironworkers Jac, Canton Area Lu 550
at Ironworkers Jac, Canton Area Lu 550 in Canton, OH
About This Program
The Ironworkers JAC Canton Area Local Union 550 sponsors a registered union ironworker apprenticeship in Canton, OH. Run through a Joint Apprenticeship Committee, this JATC program gives motivated individuals a structured, paid pathway into one of the most skilled trades in the construction industry.
Over four years, apprentices complete 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Hands-on work covers structural steel erection, reinforcing bar placement, rigging, welding, and equipment operation. Technical classroom courses address safety compliance, blueprint interpretation, rigging mathematics, and ironworking principles to ensure apprentices are prepared for real-world jobsite demands.
Graduates earn journeyman ironworker status and the credentials to work on major building, bridge, and industrial construction projects throughout northeastern Ohio. Union membership through Local 550 provides access to collectively bargained wages, health and retirement benefits, and a career supported by one of the building trades' most respected labor organizations.
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
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
See something wrong? Help us improve this page.