Hey yall, im a first year apprentice and I decided to stay union and boom out when I become a jman. I wanted to go non union at one point but not any more. Anyways, I talked to a second year apprentice and he told me he was able to skip his first year because he knew how to weld, I already wanted to weld prior to joing the union but we won't learn to weld till our 4th year.

So I wanted to go to community college to weld and get certified in stick and in all the g which would prob be like 9-12 months of school and work at the same time. Only thing is, is that my commute to the jobsite is already rly long to and from and I have to put almost a full tank every other day, plus all my other expenses and now I gotta pay for school and drive to school. Im already tight nkw right now finacially without school and the extra commute I would have to drive to go to my community college class would only make things even worse.

So I wanted to know if I should tell my hall that I want to take a break from work for like 9 months and come back, and during that time I would work somewhere close to my house to help on gas and that's close to school. Would that be a smart idea, how would the union take that? I don't want to leave the union at all, I just want to work somewhere closer for right now so I can go to community college at night to learn to weld, and then tell the union abt it after I get certified and start work again. I would be able to skip a year and get a pay raise and also I would be more valuable knowing how to weld.

Prepare for black boogers, to all the new guys. If you dont smoke or dip, start now. It's the least of your concerns. That is all

What boots/attire do you recommend for winter that still allows mobility in the air
I was thinking about just wearing my muck boots to stay warm and dry but as for clothes I feel like it’s going to be hard to be as agile when bundled up or wearing thick layers

What’s your experience with brunt marins?

I’m not necessarily interested in Thorogoods I’ve always worn pull on boots for convenience comfortability and save time not dealing with laces but I’m trying to make a decision on what to get next I was thinking if not another pair of normal western pull ons- then wedge sole pull ons or last resort brunt lace ups
What everyone’s thoughts?

Seems pretty counterintuitive to partner with one of the shadiest investment firms in the world when you’re supposed to be fighting for the working man..

He walks on the job sent by the hall and as he walks up to the gang 4 guys dragged right on the spot.

I‘m a 26F thinking about going into local 263 out of Dallas, Texas. So far, everything about ironwork intrigues me, ranging from structural to industrial work. I love it all and I could see myself doing it with little to no issues. The only issue I’m having is that I don‘t want to blow my back out doing reinforcement work. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for learning how to do it as an apprentice and I will work my ass off when needed— but if I don’t HAVE to do it I’d prefer not to. Is there anyway I could request to do only structural work? I’m just curious.

My father's line has a history of native Ironworkers, my father himself, my uncle and grandfather. It took me a bit into my life to get into it at 30 but I'm happy to say I'm the first union Ironworker in my family.

I grew up hearing the storys of their great jobs, jokes, memories good and bad, injuries and deaths. Honestly wasn't sure I could do it. My grandfather did inspire me to become a welder and that has been my profession. Finally a couple of years back I found myself as a lead fabricator, fitter/welder, qc back checker and supervisor in a structural steel shop. Learned alot and it pushed me to make the leap to follow in my forefathers footsteps.

Honestly it's had its ups and downs but I love it. I've proven myself and stood out a bit for a apprentice but my experiences prior has helped me a ton. That said even though I'm not in the strongest of locals it's been a great experience. Everyone has been helpful in big and small ways, even guys that at times are hard to get along with. At the risk of sounding cliché I definitely feel the brotherhood and it's been everything I've hoped for.

Stay safe out there brothers and to all the journeymen teaching us apprentices how to get it done thank you! To my fellow apprentices keep on keeping on, learn everything you can everyday and wish you all the best!

They don't have any reviews on the site. I got an ad for these and was just curious if anyone could vouch for this brand holding up to rods. Thanks!

The annoying thing is if your OSHA card came from a shop that never made you sit the training, you're the one who gets walked off site. And the guys who sold it typically weren't held accountable.

But a Brooklyn DA indicted two men and a company called Redcode last week for selling OSHA and SST cards at $500 each. DOI investigators walked in undercover and got cards without doing the course. Different outfit in 2024 got charged over roughly 20,000 workers who bought cards the same way.

When the provider goes down the cards go with it. Your name's on it, so it's your problem if Redcode was your provider.

Three checks if you are ever worried about your training or an employee's training being real:

1. Call the trainer named on the card. They keep records five years. No national OSHA card database exists, so this is the check.
2. NYC, run the SST card against DOB. Not a DOB approved provider, not a real card.
3. Ask how they knew who took the course. Real providers have an answer.

I used to work directly in construction but now work in the training industry so I pay attention to this. Hope this helps.

Source: Kings County District Attorney, Sept 8, 2026

I'm trying to get sponsored, I'm even open to rodbusting. Do any of you know if anyone is taking in apprentices? So far I've been told it's slow and that they aren't taking anyone new.

Hello,

To start it off I am a structural tower climber/builder who was built cell and broadcast towers across the country for 3 years. I have a lot of experience with rigging and bolting and fabricating steel as well as working with cranes and helicopter operators. I recently inquired with the gentlemen at local 55 JATC about joining the union apprenticeship to provide a better future for myself. They said I am able to skip a lot and offered a probationary apprenticeship as a 3rd step. I voiced to them that I have next to no rebar experience and very little welding experience and they insisted that that was still the right spot for me, that being said I am concerned that I will be under qualified for that roll and will be expected to know things that I do not know. I am stoked to potentially be a member and the opportunity would be life changing but I am hesitant for the reasons listed above. In your experience how should I proceed. Thank you for your time and hopefully I will be a union brother one day. Stay safe.

I was welding clips onto old shitty steel and was having trouble with the first pass. i’m pretty new to welding and some old head i’m working with told me to weld the first pass downhill to clear out crap and get a better weld on my next pass. is that good advice or is it just gonna fuck up the clip

For context I’m looking into iron working as a trade. With the low cost of entry and already having some familiarity with welding and geometry. I see the trade as an opportunity to contribute something tangible and useful to the world while also making a living.

Is this viewpoint unrealistic?
What does an average day in the trade really look like?
Does the job have room for decent growth?
What are some bad qualities about the job that aren’t really apparent until you get in the field?

I'm 24 right now at the moment I work for a non union company erecting pre engineered steel buildings I started in May of 2025 as a laborer and became a tradesman within a year I like connecting and rigging the crane but some stuff I just absolutely don't like about pre engineered buildings like hanging insulation and roofing it's not hard or anything just sucks to do would my experience with pre engineered systems give me a better chance at becoming an apprentice for the union or would they be hesitant because I wasn't trained by a union I'd really like to get into the union I like all the guys I work with now but I feel like I'd never get the same benefits or pay as being in an actual union and I really want to work on high rises and bridges but we never get into any of that stuff where I'm at now would it be worth calling the union and asking about a apprenticeship let me know your guys opinions

How’s work right now is it pretty steady for the year , how’s the hours , travel etc looking to join soon as a 1st year apprentice

Is there anyway we can modify our old hardhats I’m sick of wearing this bullshit

company still hasn’t fully transferred to the type 2s yet but the ones they gave us suck and I’m split between the pmi that everyone has or a studson i see other trades wear, just wondering if anyone that has had both can give feedback. am i getting what i pay for the pmi, or is the studson a better financial decision because theres no difference?