Ironworker at Montana Ironworkers JATC
at Montana Ironworkers JATC in East Helena, MT
About This Program
The Montana Ironworkers JATC sponsors a registered union ironworker apprenticeship based in East Helena, MT. This Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program is designed to build skilled ironworkers for Montana's construction industry, with apprentices receiving wages from their first day on the job.
The four-year, time-based program includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on real construction projects, gaining experience in structural steel erection, rigging and hoisting, reinforcing iron and rebar placement, welding, and metal decking. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, OSHA safety standards, rigging mathematics, and construction materials and methods.
Graduating apprentices achieve journeyman ironworker status, a credential recognized across the construction industry. Montana Ironworkers JATC union membership provides access to established wage scales and benefits, positioning graduates well for employment on the state's commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects.
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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