Ironworker at Ironworkers JATC LU 67
at Ironworkers JATC LU 67 in Des Moines, IA
About This Program
Ironworkers JATC Local Union 67 offers this union ironworker apprenticeship program in Des Moines, IA. As a JATC-administered program, Local 67 provides structured, standardized training for apprentices who want to build a skilled trades career in Iowa's capital city and the surrounding Central Iowa construction market.
The program spans four years and includes 6,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop hands-on competency in structural steel erection, rebar placement and tying, rigging and load management, ornamental ironwork, and fall protection practices. Classroom coursework covers blueprint reading, rigging calculations, construction safety regulations, and the technical knowledge needed to perform ironwork across a variety of project types.
Completing the apprenticeship earns graduates journeyman ironworker status backed by JATC credentials and union job networks that support consistent career opportunities throughout Iowa and the Midwest. Des Moines' active commercial, industrial, and public infrastructure construction environment creates ongoing demand for trained ironworkers. Apprentices are paid throughout all four years of training.
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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