Ironworker at Regional District Council Training Trust (Ironworkers, Local #847)
at Regional District Council Training Trust (Ironworkers, Local #847) in Phoenix, AZ
About This Program
The Regional District Council Training Trust, representing Ironworkers Local #847, sponsors this union ironworker apprenticeship in Phoenix, AZ. As a JATC-affiliated program, it combines union and employer support to deliver comprehensive, paid training for individuals pursuing a career in structural, reinforcing, and ornamental ironwork across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and Arizona. Apprentices earn wages from day one.
The four-year, time-based program consists of 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on steel erection, rebar and post-tension installation, rigging, welding, and ornamental ironwork under the guidance of journey-level professionals. Classroom instruction covers structural plans and specifications, rigging calculations, safety standards, welding theory, and the physical and technical demands of the trade.
Graduates complete the program as journey-level Ironworkers. The union affiliation of Local 847 provides access to negotiated wages, benefits, and a professional labor network. Phoenix's thriving construction market — including high-rise commercial, transportation infrastructure, and industrial projects — ensures strong, long-term career opportunities for qualified journeyman ironworkers.
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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