Safety on the job sets Iron Workers apprentices apart from others

Continuing the America’s Work Force Union Podcast coverage of National Apprenticeship Week, we welcomed Lee Worley, Executive Director of Apprenticeship and Training for the Iron Workers Union. Worley, a 37-year veteran of the trade, shared insights into the evolution of the union’s apprenticeship programs and the critical role they play in preparing the next generation of skilled Ironworkers.

Worley’s journey into the trade was influenced by family tradition, with his father and several relatives working in the field. Despite completing a college education, Worley found his passion in ironworking, leading him to join the apprenticeship program at 22. Today, he oversees 154 training centers across the U.S. and Canada, ensuring that they provide comprehensive, up-to-date training materials and hands-on experiences essential for developing skilled journeymen. Worley emphasized the shift in training practices over the years, highlighting the increased focus on safety and rigorous, full-time curriculum provided by the union.

Addressing the challenges attracting new talent to the trades, Worley noted the decline in career and technical education in high schools. He believes this has led to a lack of awareness about opportunities in the trades. Worley advocates for greater career awareness to counter the prevailing push toward college education, stressing that a career in the trades offers financial stability without the burden of student debt. 

Worley also discussed the Ironworkers National Competition, a biennial event that brings apprentices from across North America together to showcase their skills. The competition includes a written exam and hands-on challenges like welding and rigging, and culminates in a column climb—an event that Worley said, draws large crowds and celebrates the apprentices’ achievements. These competitions not only foster camaraderie but also highlight the high level of skill and dedication required in the trade, he added.

To hear more about Lee Worley’s experiences and insights into the trade, listen to the full episode above.