Sheet Metal Worker at Central Oregon Sheet Metal JATC
at Central Oregon Sheet Metal JATC in Grants Pass, OR
About This Program
Central Oregon Sheet Metal JATC, based in Grants Pass, Oregon, offers a union Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship for individuals looking to build a skilled trades career in the region. Administered through a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, the program pairs structured field work with formal technical instruction across five years of paid training.
Apprentices log 8,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside union journeymen, learning to fabricate, install, and maintain sheet metal systems including HVAC ductwork, roofing components, and architectural metalwork. The 640 hours of related technical instruction cover layout, blueprint reading, welding, material science, and OSHA safety protocols.
Upon completion, graduates earn journeyman Sheet Metal Worker certification. This qualification supports employment across commercial and industrial construction projects throughout central and southern Oregon. Union membership provides access to competitive wages, retirement benefits, and a professional network within the sheet metal industry.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$26
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
640
Duration
5 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Sheet Metal Worker Career Outlook
National Median
$26.33/hr
~$54,766.4/yr
Apprentice Start
$16/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Sheet metal worker employment is expected to grow steadily, driven by HVAC system demand in new construction and energy-efficiency retrofits. The transition to high-efficiency systems and commercial building upgrades creates ongoing need for skilled fabricators and installers. Workers with welding and CAD skills have the strongest prospects.
What to Expect as a Sheet Metal Worker Apprentice
Duration
5 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~32 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
640 hours of related technical instruction (~128 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Sheet Metal Worker
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in Oregon
Sheet Metal Workers in Oregon are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Oregon Building Codes Division, Mechanical Program.
View full Oregonlicensing requirements →Reviews
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