Sheet Metal Worker at Sheet Metal Workers Local 17
at Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 in Lewiston, ME
About This Program
Sheet Metal Workers Local 17, based in Lewiston, ME, sponsors this union Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship through its Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC). Apprentices are paid throughout training and receive regular wage increases, along with the support of a union organization with deep roots in the New England construction industry.
The program runs 5 years and combines 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on commercial and industrial projects throughout Maine, learning to fabricate, install, and maintain sheet metal systems including HVAC ductwork, ventilation equipment, metal roofing, and architectural metalwork. Classroom instruction covers trade math, blueprint reading, fabrication layout, welding, and safety regulations.
Graduates earn journeyworker status with Local 17, a union credential recognized by sheet metal contractors across Maine and New England. The sheet metal trade offers strong career longevity, and journeyworkers with union standing benefit from negotiated wages, benefits, and pension contributions.
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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