Minnesota Iron Workers Local 512 – Minneapolis, MN
Trade Schools and Apprenticeships in Minnesota / Minnesota Iron Workers Local 512 – Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Iron Workers Local 512 – Minneapolis, MN
Program Information
The Minnesota Iron Workers Local 512 Apprenticeship Program offers one of the state’s most rigorous and respected pathways into the ironworking trade. This apprenticeship equips individuals with the specialized skills required to build and maintain the structural framework of commercial buildings, industrial facilities, stadiums, bridges, and major infrastructure projects seen throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. Local 512 apprentices receive extensive hands-on training that blends classroom instruction, shop practice, and supervised fieldwork on active construction sites.
Throughout the program, apprentices learn multiple ironworking disciplines, including structural steel erection, ornamental ironwork, and reinforcing steel (rebar) placement for concrete foundations and superstructures. Training covers everything from hoisting, rigging, and crane signaling to safely connecting steel members hundreds of feet above ground. Apprentices also receive welding instruction following AWS (American Welding Society) guidelines, gaining proficiency in SMAW, FCAW, and GMAW processes. Welding skills are essential for tasks such as structural joining, onsite repairs, and fabricating custom assemblies.
Blueprint reading and layout are core components of the curriculum, helping apprentices interpret construction plans, structural details, and connection diagrams. These skills ensure accuracy when aligning steel beams, columns, trusses, and decking systems. Apprentices are also trained to use specialized tools such as torque wrenches, spud wrenches, cutting torches, magnetic drills, plasma cutters, and fall-arrest systems.
Safety is emphasized heavily throughout the program, as ironworkers frequently work at significant heights, in extreme weather, and around heavy machinery. Apprentices complete OSHA-aligned safety instruction, including fall protection, hazard recognition, rigging safety, equipment operation, and jobsite communication procedures. Local 512’s training centers provide simulation environments where apprentices learn safe climbing techniques, controlled decking zones, and proper harness use.
Graduates of Iron Workers Local 512 are recognized for their physical strength, problem-solving ability, and precision under pressure. The trade offers excellent wages, comprehensive union benefits, and long-term job stability, with apprentices “earning while they learn” from the very first day. Upon completion, apprentices are prepared for journeyman-level work on some of the most complex and high-profile construction projects in Minnesota, including high-rises, power plants, renewable energy structures, and transportation systems.
Program Length
4 years (includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training)
Program Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- Strong physical fitness and endurance
- Ability to work at heights and in various weather conditions
Apprenticeship Cost & Career Outlook
Minnesota Iron Workers Local 512 – Minneapolis, MN is a Registered Apprenticeship Program — meaning you can earn while you learn through paid on-the-job training in Ironwork.
- Paid on-the-job training with step increases as you progress
- Classroom / technical instruction is part of the program structure
- Training costs are often low — but you may still pay for tools, books, or fees
- Credential earned at completion is recognized by employers in the industry
Registered apprenticeships are overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. Because these programs aren’t traditional colleges, College Scorecard tuition and earnings data usually doesn’t apply.
Step-by-Step Career Guides
The programs and apprenticeships listed on this page relate to hands-on skilled trades. Explore the guides below to learn about training paths, licensing, salaries, and what to expect in each career field.