JOB DESCRIPTION
Ironworkers
can be found doing their work below ground, at street
level, or at great heights. Generally, ironwork involves
fabrication, production, erection and construction of
all iron, steel, precast concrete, ornamental (bronze,
lead, aluminum, etc.) and the application of all caulking
sealants. Almost all ironwork is outdoors and year-round.
It usually includes working on structural steel and
reinforcing steel. Ironwork requires heavy lifting and
carrying, as well as sometimes working at great heights
on swinging scaffolds. It requires good mechanical skills
for working on ornamental iron, welding, layout and
assembly, and a lot of rigging. Teamwork and the ability
to work high in the air are very important in this trade.
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
Applications are accepted from Monday
through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m.
to 4:00 p.m.
at the above address. Applications are held for a
maximum of 6 months and processed twice a year. The cutoff
dates for applications are February 15 and August
15.
The Apprenticeship
Program lasts 3 years with 6,000 hours of on-the-job
training if work is available. A total of 204 hours
of related (classroom) training is required per year
and each apprentice must successfully complete the required
coursework to advance through the apprenticeship. The
related training takes place at St. Paul College; the
Ironworkers Training Center in St. Paul, MN; Mesabi
Range Community and Technical College in Eveleth, MN;
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Superior,
WI; and/or 2901 Twin City Dr., Mandan, ND. It
is held two nights per week during fall and spring semesters
in Minnesota and Wisconsin and one weekend per month
in North Dakota. There is occasionally weekend training
as well. Costs for the related training is about $1,000.00
per year, but varies per location.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Applications must be filed in person;
- Must be at least 18 years of age;
- Must be physically fit to perform the work of the
trade;
- Must have a high school diploma or Certification of
Equivalency (GED);
- Must pass a five panel and drug screen;
- Must be a citizen of the United States or in the process
of naturalization;
- Must stake the required aptitude test.
HIRING AND SELECTION PROCEDURES
An aptitude
test is required. All applicants will be notified as
to the testing locations, etc. The test consists of
reading, math, writing, and spatial aptitude. Your score
will be an average of these four individual tests. To
be considered for an oral interview, your average score
must be in the upper percentile of this test.
Interviews are conducted by the Joint
Apprenticeship Committee within 60 days of the cutoff
dates. The aptitude test score is added to your interview
rating to obtain a final score, which is used in the
selection of apprentices. Those applicants that have
a considerable amount of construction work experience
may obtain additional credit.
A predetermined
number of apprentices shall be selected by descending
order of score. Those people accepted usually begin
work immediately if work is available.
Note: The actual number of placements
to be made will be dependent upon the level of construction
activity.
Tools Needed
Basic handtools
are required and will cost about $350 to get started.
Transportation Requirements
Applicants
must be able to furnish their own transportation. There
is a considerable amount of travel.
Hours
Eight (8)
hours daily, Monday through Friday, starting between
7:00 and 8:00 a.m. and finishing between 3:30 and 4:30
p.m., unless working overtime. Approximately 1,750 hours
per year.
Apprentices (all workers) should be aware that there
could be periods of unemployment.
Wages
Apprentice wages start at 70% of the journeyworker
rate and increase every 6 months if hours and related
training
requirements are met.
Union Dues
Currently,
probationary apprentices are paying $48.50 per month.
A $100 initiation fee must be paid plus a working assessment
for employed apprentices (4% of gross). There is no
apprentice to journey-person fee.
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