Ironworker at Southeast Iowa Iron Workers Lu 577
at Southeast Iowa Iron Workers Lu 577 in Keokuk, IA
About This Program
Southeast Iowa Iron Workers Local Union 577 offers this ironworker apprenticeship program based in Keokuk, IA. This employer-sponsored, time-based program serves the Southeast Iowa region, providing a hands-on training pathway for individuals seeking a career in structural, ornamental, and reinforcing ironwork in the area's industrial and commercial construction sectors.
The four-year program provides 6,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop practical skills in structural steel erection, rebar tying and installation, rigging and load handling, and safe work practices at height. Technical instruction covers blueprint reading, rigging fundamentals, construction safety regulations, and the material knowledge relevant to ironwork on a variety of project types.
Graduates complete the program as journey-level ironworkers prepared for work on commercial buildings, bridges, industrial facilities, and other construction projects across Iowa and the surrounding region. Apprentices are paid from the start of the program, providing a financially accessible way to enter a skilled trade without accumulating student debt.
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.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Ironworker
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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