Sheet Metal Worker at Sheet Metal Workers
at Sheet Metal Workers in Birmingham, AL
About This Program
Sheet Metal Workers sponsors this registered Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship program in Birmingham, AL. This non-union, employer-sponsored program provides paid training for individuals looking to enter the sheet metal trade in central Alabama. Apprentices begin earning wages on day one and develop marketable skills through a structured combination of field experience and classroom study.
The program runs for 5 years and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training paired with 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain hands-on experience fabricating and installing ductwork, HVAC systems, roofing components, and architectural sheet metal. Classroom instruction covers metal fabrication, blueprint reading, trade math, welding fundamentals, and industry safety standards.
Graduating from this program prepares apprentices to work as journey-level sheet metal workers capable of handling complex fabrication and installation tasks. Birmingham's active commercial and industrial construction market offers solid long-term employment prospects for qualified sheet metal tradespeople.
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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