Careers In Sheet Metal

Sheet metal workers work in a variety of jobs. Opportunities are diverse and may include fabrication, installation and maintenance of heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, roofing, siding, skylights, restaurant equipment, rain gutters, outdoor signs, and many other products made from metal sheets. Although some sheet metal workers specialize in fabrication, installation or maintenance, most do all three jobs.

Is a Career in Sheet Metal for You?

If you think you may enjoy a career in the sheet metal industry, answering the following questions should help you in making your decision:

Do you enjoy working with your hands? Do you enjoy building things? Do you enjoy solving problems? Are you willing to serve an apprenticeship of up to five years? Do you want to make a decent wage, enjoy good benefits, have a pension plan, and work in a dynamic career? Are you comfortable working in teams? Do you believe in working hard, taking pride in your work and seeing the finished product?

If you answered "yes" to many of these questions, you may want to explore the diverse career opportunities in the sheet metal industry.

Apprentice Level

One of the benefits of belonging to a union is the availability of the highest level of training that an apprentice or journeyman can receive. An apprenticeship is typically considered the best way to learn the sheet metal trade. The apprenticeship program usually consists of four or five years of on-the-job training and a minimum of 144 hours per year of classroom instruction.

Apprenticeship programs include comprehensive classroom training in sheet metal fabrication and installation. Students also learn drafting, welding, plan and specification reading and how to use computerized equipment.

On-the-job training includes the basics of pattern layout and techniques for bending, cutting, fabricating and installing sheet metal. Workers begin with basic ductwork and advance to more difficult jobs, such as making more complex ducts, fittings and decorative pieces.

Journeyman Level

Ater an apprentice has successfully completed the training program, journeyman level can be attained. By this time, the apprentice should be skilled in reading complex plans and specifications and can complete work assignments with little supervision. The worker will know how heating, cooling and ventilation systems function and how fans, dampers and filters operate with them.

At the end of the training program, the salary for a journeyman level worker will immediately increase from the apprentice level. In fact, wages will double in five years from the beginning of the sheet metal training program.