Ironworker at Ironworkers JATC, Mahoning Valley
at Ironworkers JATC, Mahoning Valley in Youngstown, OH
About This Program
Ironworkers JATC Mahoning Valley sponsors a registered union ironworker apprenticeship in Youngstown, OH. Serving the Mahoning Valley construction industry through a Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, this program gives aspiring ironworkers access to paid, structured training in a trade that plays a critical role in building and infrastructure development.
The apprenticeship spans four years and includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work under journey-level ironworkers on structural steel erection, rebar placement, crane rigging, and welding operations. Classroom coursework covers OSHA safety requirements, ironworking mathematics, load charts, and blueprint reading to build technical knowledge alongside practical skills.
Graduation from the Mahoning Valley JATC program earns apprentices journeyman ironworker status — a credential recognized throughout the industry. Union membership provides negotiated wages, benefits, and a career foundation supported by the broader ironworkers union network across Ohio and the nation.
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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