Sheet Metal Worker at Sheet Metal Workers JATC, Dayton Lu 24
at Sheet Metal Workers JATC, Dayton Lu 24 in Dayton, OH
About This Program
The Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship offered by Sheet Metal Workers JATC, Dayton LU 24 is a union JATC program based in Dayton, OH. This jointly administered program serves the Dayton region, providing apprentices with union-backed, structured training in the sheet metal trade through the Local 24 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee.
The program runs five years and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop skills in HVAC ductwork fabrication and installation, sheet metal roofing, architectural metalwork, and custom fabrication. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, welding techniques, trade mathematics, and safety standards. Apprentices are paid from the first day of training, with wages that increase at regular intervals throughout the program.
Graduates earn journey-level status and full membership in Local 24, enabling access to union-scale wages, health and retirement benefits, and employment opportunities with signatory contractors across the Dayton region. The sheet metal trade offers skilled workers a reliable, well-compensated career in building construction and systems.
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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