Sheet Metal Worker at Ingalls Sheetmetal JATC
at Ingalls Sheetmetal JATC in Pascagoula, MS
About This Program
Ingalls Sheetmetal JATC offers a union-affiliated five-year apprenticeship program in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Backed by a Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, this program provides structured, paid training for those entering the sheet metal trade in an active industrial and shipbuilding region.
The apprenticeship includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop skills in sheet metal fabrication, layout, installation of HVAC and ventilation systems, welding, and the use of precision measuring and cutting tools. Classroom instruction covers safety, math, blueprint reading, and trade-specific technical knowledge.
Graduates earn journeyman sheet metal worker status, qualifying them for careers in construction, industrial facilities, and shipbuilding-related metalwork. The JATC structure supports consistent training quality, and the Gulf Coast location offers substantial employment opportunities in both commercial construction and heavy industrial sectors.
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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