Ironworker at Local Ironworkers 848 JATC
at Local Ironworkers 848 JATC in Charlotte, NC
About This Program
Local Ironworkers 848 JATC administers a registered union ironworker apprenticeship in Charlotte, NC. As a JATC-affiliated program, it provides structured, standards-based training for individuals entering the ironworking trade. Apprentices earn competitive wages while building skills on job sites throughout the Charlotte region.
This four-year program consists of 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. On the job, apprentices develop proficiency in structural steel erection, rigging and hoisting, reinforcing iron and rebar installation, welding, and metal decking. Classroom sessions cover blueprint reading, load calculations, OSHA safety compliance, and ironworking trade theory.
Upon completion, graduates hold journeyman ironworker status — a widely recognized credential in the construction industry. Union membership through Local 848 connects graduates to collectively bargained wages and benefits, supporting long-term career growth in North Carolina's expanding construction market.
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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