Sheet Metal Worker at Illowa Sheet Metal JATC Lu 91
at Illowa Sheet Metal JATC Lu 91 in Rock Island, IL
About This Program
Illowa Sheet Metal JATC Local Union 91 sponsors a union Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Rock Island, IL, serving apprentices in the Quad Cities region. This Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program offers union-backed training, job placement support, and a paid five-year pathway into one of the construction industry's most skilled trades.
The program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop hands-on skills in sheet metal fabrication, HVAC ductwork installation, roofing, and architectural metal applications. Technical classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, applied geometry, welding techniques, and safety regulations. Pay increases are built into the program structure as apprentices demonstrate growing competency.
Graduates complete the program as journeyman Sheet Metal Workers and full union members. Through Local Union 91, they gain access to competitive negotiated wages, health and retirement benefits, and a professional network across the Illinois-Iowa construction corridor.
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
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