Ironworker at Ironworkers Local 7 JATC
at Ironworkers Local 7 JATC in Clinton, ME
About This Program
Ironworkers Local 7 JATC offers a registered union apprenticeship for aspiring ironworkers in Clinton, ME. Backed by a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, this program delivers structured training that meets national ironworking standards while keeping apprentices employed and earning from day one.
The apprenticeship runs four years and includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop hands-on skills in structural steel erection, rigging and hoisting, reinforcing iron installation, and welding. Technical coursework covers blueprint reading, OSHA safety regulations, ironworking math, and construction materials.
Graduates earn journeyman ironworker status, qualifying them for skilled positions on major construction projects throughout Maine and beyond. Union membership through Local 7 connects graduates to collectively bargained wages and benefits in a trade with consistent regional demand.
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.
How to Apply
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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