Sheet Metal Worker at Metro Sheet Metal Jac
at Metro Sheet Metal Jac in White Bear Lake, MN
About This Program
Metro Sheet Metal JAC, located in White Bear Lake, MN, sponsors this union Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship through its Joint Apprenticeship Committee. Serving the Twin Cities metropolitan area, this program offers a union-backed, structured training pathway into the sheet metal trade with paid training throughout the five-year program.
The apprenticeship combines 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain hands-on experience on commercial and industrial projects across the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area, learning to fabricate, install, and service HVAC ductwork, ventilation systems, architectural metalwork, and roofing systems. Classroom instruction addresses trade mathematics, blueprint reading, welding techniques, fabrication layout, and OSHA safety compliance.
Completing the program earns participants journeyworker status with the Metro Sheet Metal JAC — a union credential that opens employment opportunities with sheet metal contractors throughout the Twin Cities region and greater Minnesota. Union journeyworkers enjoy negotiated wages, benefits, and strong career stability.
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
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
See something wrong? Help us improve this page.