Sheet Metal Worker at Sheetmetal Workers Jac Lu #71
at Sheetmetal Workers Jac Lu #71 in Buffalo, NY
About This Program
The Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship sponsored by Sheetmetal Workers JAC LU #71 is a union JATC program located in Buffalo, NY. Jointly administered by labor and management, the program offers apprentices in the Western New York region a structured path into the sheet metal trade backed by union standards and industry expertise.
This five-year program combines 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn hands-on skills in HVAC ductwork fabrication and installation, architectural metalwork, roofing systems, and metal flashing. Technical coursework includes blueprint reading, welding techniques, applied mathematics, and safety compliance. All apprentices receive wages from the start, increasing progressively throughout the program.
Graduates earn journey-level status in the sheet metal trade and become members of Local 71. Union membership connects graduates to collectively bargained wages, health and retirement benefits, and a network of signatory contractors in the Buffalo metro area and beyond, supporting a long and stable career in the trades.
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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