Union Ironworkers Local 11 Apprenticeship – New Jersey
Trade Schools and Apprenticeships in New Jersey / Union Ironworkers Local 11 Apprenticeship – New Jersey
Union Ironworkers Local 11 – Ironworker Apprenticeship (New Jersey)
Programs Offered
- Ironworker Apprenticeship (4-Year Program)
- Hands-on Structural, Reinforcing, and Welding Training
- Pathway to Journeyman Ironworker Certification
Program Overview
The Union Ironworkers Local 11 Apprenticeship Program in New Jersey provides comprehensive training for individuals pursuing a career in the ironworking trade. Apprentices gain experience working with steel and iron to construct, install, and repair buildings, bridges, and industrial structures. The program combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training, covering essential skills such as blueprint reading, welding, rigging, and the installation of structural and reinforcing steel.
Safety is a core focus of the apprenticeship, with OSHA-compliant training provided to ensure all apprentices work safely at heights and in dynamic construction environments.
Hands-On Training
Apprentices receive extensive hands-on instruction and supervised field experience, including:
- Fabricating, installing, and securing structural and reinforcing steel components.
- Reading and interpreting blueprints, plans, and specifications.
- Operating welding and cutting equipment safely and effectively.
- Using rigging systems and hoisting devices to position steel members.
- Following OSHA safety protocols, including fall protection and job-site hazard awareness.
Certification & Licensing Prep
- Completion qualifies apprentices for Journeyman Ironworker certification.
- Includes OSHA safety certification and welding proficiency testing.
- Graduates are prepared for advanced roles in construction, steel fabrication, and industrial installation.
Career Paths & Salary Outlook
- Ironworker Apprentice: Earn while learning through hands-on and classroom training.
- Journeyman Ironworker: Eligible for full trade pay upon program completion.
- Advanced Roles: Opportunities to advance into foreman, superintendent, or project management positions.
Program Length
- 4-year apprenticeship program.
- Includes approximately 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction.
Admission Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- Physical fitness and ability to perform demanding labor.
- Comfort working at heights and in varying outdoor conditions.
Compensation & Benefits
Apprentices earn competitive wages that increase annually as they progress through the program. Participants receive paid on-the-job training, classroom instruction, and union benefits such as healthcare coverage and pension contributions through Ironworkers Local 11.
Cost & Financial Support
The apprenticeship is tuition-free. Apprentices earn wages while training and receive instruction through the Ironworkers Local 11 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) at no cost.
Location
Union Ironworkers Local 11
New Jersey (statewide program)
Training coordinated through the Ironworkers Local 11 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee.
Apprenticeship Cost & Career Outlook
This is a Registered Apprenticeship Program — meaning you will earn while you learn.
- Paid on-the-job training with increasing wages
- Classroom or technical instruction provided by the program
- No tuition costs — apprentices are paid during training
- Nationally recognized credential upon completion
Because apprenticeships are managed through the U.S. Department of Labor, College Scorecard data for tuition and earnings does not apply. Apprenticeships provide real-world experience and a direct path to journeyman-level wages without student debt.