Sheet Metal Worker at Duluth Sheet Metal Jac
at Duluth Sheet Metal Jac in Saginaw, MN
About This Program
Duluth Sheet Metal JAC, based in Saginaw, MN, sponsors this union Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship through its Joint Apprenticeship Committee. Serving the Duluth region and northeastern Minnesota, this program provides a structured union pathway into the sheet metal trade with apprentices earning wages from the first day of training.
The 5-year apprenticeship includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on commercial and industrial job sites learning to fabricate and install sheet metal systems including HVAC ductwork, ventilation equipment, metal roofing, and architectural metalwork. Technical classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, trade mathematics, welding, sheet metal layout, and safety standards.
Graduates earn journeyworker status through the Duluth Sheet Metal JAC — a union credential recognized by sheet metal contractors across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. Union journeyworkers benefit from collectively bargained wages, health benefits, and pension contributions as they build their careers in the trade.
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.
How to Apply
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 Minnesota
Sheet Metal Workers in Minnesota are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
View full Minnesotalicensing requirements →Reviews
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