Sheet Metal Worker at Madison Area Sheet Metal JAC
at Madison Area Sheet Metal JAC in Sun Prairie, WI
About This Program
The Madison Area Sheet Metal JAC sponsors a union sheet metal worker apprenticeship located in Sun Prairie, WI. As a Joint Apprenticeship Committee, this program is run in partnership with employer sponsors in the Madison region and offers a reliable, structured route into a skilled trades career in the sheet metal industry.
Running for five years, the program includes 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on active job sites learning to fabricate, install, and service ductwork, HVAC systems, ventilation equipment, and architectural metal products. Classroom coursework covers trade mathematics, blueprint reading, safety standards, and welding fundamentals. Pay begins on day one and increases with each year of the program completed.
Graduates earn journey-level status as sheet metal workers, recognized throughout the union construction industry. The Madison area's growing commercial and institutional construction sector supports consistent demand for skilled sheet metal workers, with career advancement available in field supervision, shop fabrication, and project coordination.
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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