Ironworker at Ironworkers Regional Shop Local 516 & Employers Apprenticeship and Training Committee
at Ironworkers Regional Shop Local 516 & Employers Apprenticeship and Training Committee in Edmonds, WA
About This Program
The Ironworkers Regional Shop Local 516 and Employers Apprenticeship and Training Committee sponsors a registered union ironworker apprenticeship in Edmonds, WA. This JATC program serves the shop ironworking sector, pairing union resources with employer partnerships to develop skilled craftworkers for fabrication and installation work throughout the region. Apprentices are paid from the beginning of training.
The four-year apprenticeship includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain hands-on experience in structural and ornamental ironwork, including layout, fabrication, welding, rigging, and safety practices in shop and field environments. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, welding theory, materials, and trade mathematics.
Graduates of this program earn journeyman ironworker status in the shop ironworking specialty — a valued credential in the Pacific Northwest's manufacturing and construction sectors. Local 516 provides apprentices with a strong union foundation and employer connections to support long-term career growth.
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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