Sheet Metal Worker at Sheet Metal Workers JATC, Local #29
at Sheet Metal Workers JATC, Local #29 in Wichita, KS
About This Program
Sheet Metal Workers JATC Local #29 sponsors a union Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Wichita, KS. As a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program, it provides structured, union-supported training with paid work experience throughout the full five-year curriculum, offering apprentices in south-central Kansas a clear path to a skilled trade career.
The program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain hands-on skills in sheet metal fabrication, HVAC ductwork layout and installation, roofing systems, and architectural metal applications. Classroom coursework reinforces field training with instruction in blueprint reading, geometry, welding, and safety regulations. Wages increase at each stage of the apprenticeship as competency grows.
Graduates earn journeyman status as Sheet Metal Workers and full union membership with Local #29, including access to negotiated wages, health benefits, and retirement contributions. This is a strong, long-term career opportunity in Wichita's construction and mechanical contracting industries.
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
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