Sheet Metal Worker at Sheet Metal Workers, Local Union 441
at Sheet Metal Workers, Local Union 441 in Mobile, AL
About This Program
Sheet Metal Workers, Local Union 441 sponsors this registered Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship program in Mobile, AL. This is a union JATC program, giving apprentices the benefits of union-backed training, labor protections, and a structured pathway to journeyman status. Apprentices are paid throughout the 5-year program and see their wages increase as they gain experience and complete training milestones.
The program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of related technical instruction over five years. Working alongside journeyman sheet metal workers, apprentices learn to fabricate, install, and service ductwork, HVAC systems, architectural metal products, and roofing systems. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, trade math, metal fabrication, welding, mechanical systems, and workplace safety.
Graduates earn journey-level status with Local Union 441, positioning them for steady employment with union contractors across Mobile and the surrounding Gulf Coast region. The sheet metal trade is a highly skilled occupation with strong demand in commercial, industrial, and mechanical construction.
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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