Ironworker at Sioux City Iron Workers JATC LU 21
at Sioux City Iron Workers JATC LU 21 in Sioux City, IA
About This Program
Sioux City Iron Workers JATC Local Union 21 sponsors this union ironworker apprenticeship in Sioux City, IA. As a JATC-administered program, it provides a structured, high-quality training experience for apprentices entering the ironworking trade in Northwest Iowa and the surrounding tri-state area.
The four-year apprenticeship includes 6,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on construction sites throughout the Sioux City region under journeyman supervision, building skills in structural steel erection, reinforcing bar installation, rigging and crane signaling, and safe elevated work practices. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, rigging theory, OSHA safety standards, and foundational knowledge of structural materials and systems.
Graduates earn journeyman ironworker status recognized through the JATC framework, with union credentials that support employment across Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and beyond. The region's agricultural, industrial, and infrastructure construction sectors provide ongoing demand for skilled ironworkers. Apprentices are paid throughout the full four-year program, allowing them to earn while they learn.
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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