Ironworker at Ironworkers Local 37 Jac
at Ironworkers Local 37 Jac in E Providence, RI
About This Program
Ironworkers Local 37 JAC offers a registered union ironworker apprenticeship in East Providence, RI. Administered through a Joint Apprenticeship Committee, this program trains apprentices in the full scope of ironworking skills needed for careers on construction projects throughout Rhode Island and the broader New England region. Apprentices are paid throughout the training period.
The four-year program is structured around 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Hands-on training takes place on active construction sites, where apprentices develop skills in structural steel erection, rebar placement, rigging and signaling, welding, and safe equipment operation under journey-level supervision. Classroom instruction addresses blueprint reading, OSHA safety compliance, load charts, and trade mathematics.
Upon completing the apprenticeship, graduates earn journeyman ironworker status. Through union membership with Local 37, journey-level ironworkers gain access to negotiated compensation, health and retirement benefits, and a professional community supporting careers in commercial, industrial, and public works construction across the region.
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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