Find the schedules for Apprenticeship classes
and Journeyman retraining
by following the links below
Schedule for
Sacramento Schedule
for Reno
What an Ironworker does;
Ironworkers are employed in four related segments of the trade: Structural
Ironworkers, Reinforcing Ironworkers, Ornamental Ironworkers, Riggers and
Machinery Movers.
The workers usually seen walking about the steel framework of large buildings
under construction are Structural Ironworkers. Their job is to assemble, erect
and install the fabricated iron parts using bolts and by welding to form the
skeleton of the structure. Structural Ironworkers work on the construction of
industrial, commercial, and large residential buildings as well as on towers,
bridges and prefabricated metal buildings.
Reinforcing concrete-concrete in which reinforcing steel rods has been
embedded-is widely used in building construction. Reinforcing Ironworkers
fabricate and place steel bars in concrete forms to reinforce concrete
structures. These bars placed on suitable supports and are tied together with
tie wire. Reinforcing Ironworkers have to carry these heavy steel bars from one
point to another quite frequently. Reinforcing Ironworkers also place and stress
post-tensioning tendons. Stressing of these tendons is done after the concrete
has been poured using large hydraulic jacks. Reinforcing Ironworkers are
employed wherever reinforced concrete is used in the construction of such things
as buildings, freeways, bridges and drainage channels.
Ornamental Ironworkers install metal stairways, cat walks, gratings, iron
ladders, metal window sash, glass, metal curtain wall, window wall, doors ,
gates, fences, screens, elevator fronts, platforms and railings. These metal
products are fastened to the structures by bolting or welding. Ornamental
Ironworkers are commonly referred to as "Finishers" and are employed
in construction of large commercial, industrial and residential buildings.
Although rigging is considered a separate segment of the Ironworkers Trade,
Structural Ironworkers, Reinforcing Ironworkers and Ornamental Ironworkers also
do this type of work. Riggers must have knowledge of fiber line, wire rope,
hooks, skids, rollers, proper hand signals and hoisting equipment. Ironworkers
Riggers load, unload, move and set machinery, equipment, and material using
power hoists, cranes, derricks, forklifts or by hand, utilizing a series of
blocks and tackle. Much of this work is done in the construction of and
maintenance of industrial plants and precast concrete structures.
Steady employment in the ironworking industry is the exception not the rule.
The volume of new construction and remodeling varies according to economic
conditions, locality and weather. Much of the work is away from public
transportation and Ironworkers are required to furnish their own transportation.
The work is hard and can be uncomfortable during hot, cold or wet weather.
Ironworkers frequently have to lift, carry, push or pull up to 100 pounds. They
climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and walk on narrow steel members at
great heights. Ironworkers, when employed, may work a 40 hour work week working
8 hours per day with 1/2 hour for lunch.
The road to becoming a Journeyman Ironworker is through Apprenticeship
Training. The Ironworkers Apprenticeship is 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, usually 180 hours per year for three years. These classes are held
outside the working hours.
Apprenticeship is regulated by Federal and State Laws. The Federal Agency
responsible for regulating apprenticeship is the Bureau of Apprenticeship
Training, U.S. Department of Labor. The State Apprenticeship Council, whose
members are appointed by the Governor, are responsible for the application and
interpretation of the Apprenticeship Laws.
The Ironworkers Apprenticeship Program is set up under a Collective
Bargaining Agreement between contractors and the unions. The cost of the program
is borne by a contractual hourly contribution to the Apprenticeship Trust. A
Board of Trustees, with 9 employer and 9 union representatives, administers this
fund and determines policy. An Administrative Coordinator and staff of
Coordinators are hired to operate the program. The Apprenticeship training is
supervised by a Local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) made of
3 representatives of the employers and 3 representatives of the local union. The
JATC is assisted by a staff Coordinator, a State Apprenticeship Consultant and
an advisor from the school district. The JATC establishes procedures and rules
and regulations which are known as Apprenticeship Standards. These documents are
approved by and registered with the State Apprenticeship Council and become the
law for the program.
There are many benefits to be gained through the Ironworkers Apprenticeship
Program. Some of which are as follows:
1. An opportunity to learn a trade in the most respected craft of the
building and construction trades.
2. An opportunity to become a union member of the International Association
of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Ironworkers.
3. The opportunity to "earn" journeyman status which is recognized
throughout the United States and Canada. This journeyman status is security for
you and for your family for life.
4. The advantage of a fair and reasonable wage and fringe benefits such as
the health and welfare, pension, annuity and vacation plans.
Requirements for the Ironworkers Apprenticeship Program:
1. Age Limitations- Applicants must be 18 years of age.
2. Physical Prerequisites- Applicants must be physically able to perform the
work of the trade. No physical examination is required.
3. Educational Requirements- At the time of making application each applicant
must present either a high school diploma, a certificate showing satisfactory
scores (minimum of 40 in each test and 45 overall) in the General Education
Development Test (G.E.D.) or a high school proficiency certificate. Each
applicant must be able to read, write and speak the English language in order to
comprehend instruction in related training classes and to insure personal and
co-worker safety on the job.
4. New apprentices are dispatched for initial employment strictly in
accordance with the Approved Apprenticeship Standard.
There are several things required of Ironworkers Apprentices:
1. Complete cooperation and willingness to learn.
2. Regular school attendance.
3. Dependability on the job.
4. A day's work for a day's pay.
The recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices is without
discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin or sex.
courtesy of:
