Ironworker at Knoxville Ironworkers Jac
at Knoxville Ironworkers Jac in Knoxville, TN
About This Program
The Knoxville Ironworkers JAC offers a registered union ironworker apprenticeship in Knoxville, TN. Administered through a Joint Apprenticeship Committee, this JATC program trains apprentices to work safely and skillfully across a variety of ironworking tasks on commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects in east Tennessee. Apprentices receive pay from their first day on the job.
The apprenticeship runs four years, including 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Under the guidance of experienced journeymen, apprentices build competency in structural steel erection, reinforcing bar placement, rigging, welding, and proper use of construction tools and equipment. Classroom coursework covers OSHA safety compliance, blueprint reading, rigging calculations, and ironworking theory.
Graduating from the Knoxville Ironworkers JAC program earns apprentices journeyman ironworker status — a recognized credential in the construction industry. Union membership provides collectively bargained wages, health and pension benefits, and a stable career foundation in one of Tennessee's active construction markets.
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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