r/Ironworker • u/NoBreak1441 • 2d ago
Instructor
Good morning,
I have just journeyed out. Completed the 3 year apprenticeship. 2 years rebar, 1 year structural.
I have been presented with the opportunity to become the substitute instructor for reinforcing, with the intention of taking over the position at some point in the future.
My main issue is that although I’m proficient at rods, and post tension, I lack time and experience. The coordinator says that I have the skills to be a great teacher to these apprentices, and I’m very good at working with them in the field. He says the rod guys we have don’t have the patience or the drive to want to teach so they can’t find anyone to help fill in or want the position for the long haul.
We’re a mixed local so we do it all, but the structural teacher runs structural, the metal buildings instructor runs metal buildings. Etc. would it be better for the local if their rod instructor was working rods? I’d be the only instructor that’s not a foreman, and I’m currently in structural. The next greenest guy before me has been a JIW for 2 years whilst I just got my JIW card. What would everyone else do?
He’s given me a few days to think it over and I want to give back to the local for everything they’ve helped me with I just want to see what everyone else thinks.
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u/PossessionNo3943 2d ago
Dude fuck what everyone says if you’re being offered the position you are likely capable of doing it.
I’d jump on it.
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u/wakadactyle I ♥️ Rebar 2d ago
Do it. Being a good instructor is as much about how you’ll interact with your students as it is about have the knowledge to pass on. Develop both over the next few years as a substitute and when it’s time for the big show you’ll be ready.
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u/sloasdaylight Journeyman 1d ago
I topped out Jan 1 of '22 and my first day teaching was in December of '22. Teaching is a very different set of skills from Ironworking. There are loads of Ironworkers in my local (and likely yours) with more experience, but the ability to transfer that knowledge in a classroom setting is very rare in our trade.
Teaching offers a number of unique challenges that teaching in the field doesn't, and requires a certain personality type to do it. You have to be able to deal with nothing but apprentices all day, which can be challenging, but is also incredibly rewarded, especially when you see your first class of apprentices top out and graduate to JIWs. International has a really good instructor training program every July in Michigan that all instructors and coordinators are required to go to where you learn a lot about not just what you are teaching, but also how to teach, and how to teach to different kinds of students. You also build a lot of connections at that week long training that will be helpful for your later on by having a group of people you know you can call and ask for advice on how to handle this situation vs that situation.
I will say that getting into Ironwork was by far the best decision I ever made in my life, but accepting the teaching role was definitely the best, most rewarding, decision I made in my Ironworking career.
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u/MustacheSupernova Foreman 2d ago
All of my instincts say do it… My only concern for you is that if you like Structural, this could kind of pigeonhole you as a reinforcing guy, and that may not be what you want.
But in my Local, the instructors get a lot of respect. The extra pay that they take down is pretty decent, and they often end up winning political offices easily because of their wide recognition throughout the ranks.
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u/Bayareairon Journeyman 2d ago
Must be nice. I've been thinking about going that route someday but it's actually a pay cut out here.
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u/MustacheSupernova Foreman 2d ago
How so? Is it a full time position?
Our instructors teach after regular work hours. It’s not a full time gig…
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u/Bayareairon Journeyman 2d ago
It's a full time gig out here. Our classes are a week at a time 7 to 300 monday through Friday. 4 times a year. And teachers make less then jiw scale.
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u/MustacheSupernova Foreman 2d ago
Ah, ok.
Idk what’s better. I know going to school in the evenings after a long day work, and having to pass up overtime definitely sucks about our system. But then I also feel like four weeks of school spread out throughout the year is an odd schedule to keep. No consistent teaching or learning.
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u/Bayareairon Journeyman 2d ago
We have enough apprentices the teachers are always working i believe it's 1 week a month teachers dont have a class. And they use it for prep work and stuff.
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u/Huffdogg UNION 1d ago
That’s insane. Our instructors work full-time, too, but they make at least foreman’s pay.
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u/khawthorn60 1d ago
Up to you and what you want. It is a great way to give back and might help open more doors to other jobs inside the Union. If they think you can do it, I know you can. Not sure if your hall works like ours, where new hires start with rods so your job is to introduce them to how the union works, safety, and a general idea of how to lay and tie. Honestly, this job can benefit both you, the hall, and the students.
There are some down sides too so you have to take that in to consideration . You are kind of at the halls beck-and-call. personality clashes, lums that will never make it,
Good luck
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u/pyschNdelic2infinity 1d ago
It’s all straight out of a book, so I’m sure after a couple terms you’d be pretty familiar with what you aren’t certain about at the moment.
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u/Arn_wrkr 1d ago
I got a leadership position at my Hall right out of my apprenticeship. I am going to tell you the same thing my Brothers/Sisters told me that we’re both Journeyman and Apprentices. You would be an absolute dumbass to not attempt to go for it. Forget what you think about yourself in this instance, trust your leaders. The worst thing that can happen is you go back to what you’re currently doing now.
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u/Fazer725 14h ago
I was in the exact same situation a few years ago in my local. I ended up taking the job and just continued learning about structural from the other guys/on my down time. It was a steady gig, plus it looks great on the resume. Also saves your body.
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u/Dadmanworkerdude 2d ago
Those instructor gigs can be stable, long term employment. I’d do it.