Ironworking

Are you ironworker material?

The road to becoming a journeyman ironworker is through apprenticeship training. The Iron Workers apprenticeship program is a well-organized and supervised method of training people, with little or no knowledge of the craft, to become journeymen ironworkers qualified in all segments of the trade.

Apprentices earn while they learn, working on the job alongside the journeymen. In addition, they attend classes of related and supplemental instruction, approximately 160 hours per year for four years.

Starting wages for ironworker apprentices vary, but are usually 50% of a journeyman's wage. As an apprentice accumulates an established number of on-the-job hours plus related and supplemental instruction hours, wages are increased at regular intervals.

Graduating apprentices attain journeyman status and receive full pay for the skills they have earned.

Ironworking has many sectors. Each sector involves challenging and difficult work, often on tall structures at high elevations. Ironworkers must be willing to work as a team. They must be able to meet rigid standards and deadlines. They must have a good sense of balance and be alert to potential danger to themselves and others. The apprenticeship program includes comprehensive safety training. When you join the apprenticeship you will be trained in the following aspects of the trade.

Structural Steel

  • Unload, erect, and connect fabricated iron beams to form the project skeleton.
  • Work primarily on industrial, commercial and large residential buildings.

  • Build towers, bridges, stadiums, and prefabricated metal buildings

  • Erect and install pre-cast beams, columns and panels.

Reinforcing Steel

  • Fabricate and place steel bars (rebar) in concrete forms to reinforce structures.

  • Place rebar on appropriate supports and tie them together with tie wire.

  • Install post-tensioning tendons (cables) to place in concrete forms along reinforcing steel.

  • Stress the tendons using hydraulic jacks and pumps after the concrete is poured and hardened.

Ornamental (Architectural) Fabrication and Installation

  • Install metal windows into a building's masonry or wooden openings.

  • Erect curtain wall and window wall systems that cover the steel or reinforced concrete structure of a building.

  • Install and erect metal stairways, catwalks, gratings, doors, railings, fencing, elevator fronts and building entrances.

Rigging and Machinery Moving  

  • Load, unload, move and set machinery, structural steel and curtain walls.
  • Operate power hoists, cranes, derricks, forklifts and aerial lifts.

  • Have knowledge of fiber line, wire rope, hoisting equipment and proper hand signals.

Welding and Burning 


Welding and burning equipment are considered tools of the trade and performed by structural, reinforcing, ornamental and rigging ironworkers to secure their work to the structure. Ironworkers can be tested to be designated a certified welder.

The mission of Ironworkers Apprenticeship and Training Department is to ensure that our union ironworkers have the skills, knowledge, and training necessary to be safe on the jobsite, competitive in the workplace, and satisfied in their careers.

We accomplish that mission by providing training and training materials, leadership, and accreditation in order to uphold union values and the principles of service and professionalism.

We stand for:

  • Service
  • Leadership
  • Integrity
  • Safety
  • Unionism
  • Professionalism

Get Started

Contact the Arizona Field Ironworkers Apprenticeship and Training Program at (602) 276-6055 for complete details.

Apprenticeship students are advised to create an MEID and login to the Online Student Center in order to access personal account information such as grades and transcripts.

Program Location

Washington Campus 

Accreditation

Accreditation is a process used to measure and certify the credibility and quality of services offered by an organization.

GateWay is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Why should you choose an accredited school?

Although many schools offer seemingly similar degree and certification options, not all schools are accredited. In many instances, accreditation of the degree or program you complete may be required in order to become certified to work in the field.