Ironworker at NE Iowa Ironworkers JATC Local Union 89
at NE Iowa Ironworkers JATC Local Union 89 in Cedar Rapids, IA
About This Program
NE Iowa Ironworkers JATC Local Union 89 administers this union ironworker apprenticeship based in Cedar Rapids, IA. Serving Northeast Iowa and surrounding areas, Local 89's JATC program delivers rigorous, union-backed training for individuals looking to enter the ironworking trade on commercial, industrial, and infrastructure construction projects.
The four-year program provides 6,000 hours of paid on-the-job training alongside 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices train under the guidance of experienced journeymen on active job sites, developing skills in structural steel erection, reinforcing bar installation, rigging operations, ornamental metalwork, and safe work practices at height. Classroom instruction addresses blueprint reading, rigging theory, fall protection standards, and OSHA safety requirements.
Graduates earn journeyman ironworker status recognized through the JATC system and supported by union job referral networks throughout Iowa and the Midwest. Cedar Rapids' manufacturing base and active construction sector create consistent opportunities for skilled ironworkers. Apprentices receive pay throughout the entire four-year program, making this a practical and rewarding path into the skilled trades.
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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