Sheet Metal Worker at Sheet Metal Workers JATC, Youngstown
at Sheet Metal Workers JATC, Youngstown in Youngstown, OH
About This Program
The Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship offered by Sheet Metal Workers JATC, Youngstown is a union JATC program based in Youngstown, OH. Jointly administered by labor and management, this program provides apprentices in the Mahoning Valley region with structured, union-quality training in the sheet metal trade and a clear path to journey-level status.
The program spans five years, combining 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on active job sites gaining skills in HVAC ductwork, sheet metal fabrication, roofing systems, and architectural metal installations. Classroom coursework covers blueprint reading, welding, trade mathematics, and safety regulations. Apprentices earn wages throughout training, with incremental pay increases as they advance.
Graduating from the program earns apprentices journey-level credentials and full union membership, providing access to collectively bargained wages, benefits, and employment through signatory contractors in the Youngstown area and across Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania's regional construction market.
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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