Ironworker at Ironworkers Jac District 1 - Local #440
at Ironworkers Jac District 1 - Local #440 in Whitesboro, NY
About This Program
Ironworkers JAC District 1 — Local 440 sponsors a registered union ironworker apprenticeship in Whitesboro, NY. This JATC-affiliated program provides structured, industry-standard training for apprentices entering the structural and reinforcing ironworking trades in central New York. Apprentices earn wages throughout the program from their first day on the job.
The four-year apprenticeship requires 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on active construction projects, learning structural steel erection, rigging and hoisting, metal decking, reinforcing iron and rebar placement, and welding. Technical instruction covers blueprint reading, safety regulations, rigging calculations, and ironworking trade fundamentals.
Graduates earn journeyman ironworker status and union membership through Local 440, qualifying them for skilled employment on commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects throughout the region. The JAC District 1 structure supports apprentices across central New York with consistent oversight and training resources.
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.