Sheet Metal Worker at NORPAC Sheet Metal
at NORPAC Sheet Metal in Billings, MT
About This Program
NORPAC Sheet Metal sponsors a five-year registered apprenticeship program in Billings, Montana. This employer-sponsored program provides hands-on, paid training for individuals entering the sheet metal trade in the Mountain West region.
The program combines 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain practical experience in sheet metal fabrication, HVAC duct systems, roofing and flashing installation, and industrial metal components. Technical instruction covers blueprint reading, applied mathematics, welding basics, and workplace safety practices.
Upon completing the five-year program, apprentices qualify as journeyman sheet metal workers, a skilled trade credential with strong demand in commercial, industrial, and energy-sector construction across Montana and the broader region. This apprenticeship offers a direct path to a stable, well-rounded career without the cost of traditional schooling.
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.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Sheet Metal Worker
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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