Sheet Metal Worker at Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #38
at Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #38 in Brewster, NY
About This Program
The Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship offered by Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #38 is a union JATC program based in Brewster, NY. This jointly administered program serves apprentices in the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas of New York, combining union labor standards with employer-driven training to prepare skilled sheet metal workers.
The program is five years in duration, with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work alongside journeymen learning to fabricate and install HVAC ductwork, architectural sheet metal, roofing systems, and other metal components. Classroom instruction addresses blueprint reading, welding, trade math, and safety. Apprentices are paid throughout training, with wages that increase at set intervals.
Graduates earn journey-level credentials and full union membership in Local 38, providing access to union-scale wages, benefits, and employment opportunities with signatory contractors throughout the region. The sheet metal trade offers a durable career path in construction and building systems for those who complete the program.
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
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
See something wrong? Help us improve this page.