Ironworker at Quad City Ironworkers JATC Lu 111
at Quad City Ironworkers JATC Lu 111 in Rock Island, IL
About This Program
Quad City Ironworkers JATC LU 111 in Rock Island, IL offers a union ironworker apprenticeship through its Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. This registered program trains apprentices across all core areas of ironwork while providing paid employment from the first day of the program.
Spanning four years, the apprenticeship includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain hands-on experience in structural steel erection, reinforcing bar placement, rigging, welding, and ornamental ironwork. Classroom instruction covers print reading, rigging mathematics, safety regulations, and welding theory, equipping apprentices with both practical and technical knowledge.
After meeting all requirements, graduates become journeyman ironworkers and members of Local 111. Union membership supports access to negotiated wages, health benefits, and employment opportunities on construction projects throughout the Quad Cities region and the broader Midwest.
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.
How to Apply
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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