Sheet Metal Worker at Saginaw Sheet Metal JATC Local 7 Zone 3
at Saginaw Sheet Metal JATC Local 7 Zone 3 in Flint, MI
About This Program
Saginaw Sheet Metal JATC Local 7 Zone 3, operating in Flint, MI, sponsors this union Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship. As part of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local 7 network, this Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program provides a well-structured, union-backed path into the sheet metal trade with wages paid from the start.
The apprenticeship is 5 years long and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain hands-on experience fabricating and installing HVAC ductwork, ventilation systems, roofing systems, and custom sheet metal components on commercial and industrial job sites. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, trade mathematics, welding, sheet metal layout, and OSHA safety standards.
Graduates earn journeyworker status with Local 7, a credential recognized by union sheet metal contractors throughout Michigan. Union journeyworkers in the sheet metal trade access negotiated wages, health benefits, and retirement programs as they build lasting careers in the construction industry.
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
Licensing in Michigan
Sheet Metal Workers in Michigan are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes.
View full Michiganlicensing requirements →Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
See something wrong? Help us improve this page.