Sheet Metal Worker at Southern Ca Sheet Metal JATC
at Southern Ca Sheet Metal JATC in City Of Industry, CA
About This Program
Southern CA Sheet Metal JATC sponsors this registered Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship program in City of Industry, CA. This is a union JATC program providing apprentices in the Los Angeles region with paid, jointly administered training in one of the country's most dynamic construction markets. Apprentices are compensated from the beginning of training and receive wage increases as they progress through the program's five years.
The apprenticeship includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn to fabricate and install sheet metal systems, including HVAC ductwork, architectural metal components, roofing assemblies, and welded assemblies, working alongside experienced journeymen in the field. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, trade math, mechanical design principles, material selection, and safety compliance.
Graduates earn journey-level Sheet Metal Worker status with union backing, equipping them for diverse employment opportunities throughout Southern California's busy commercial, industrial, and residential construction sectors. This credential carries strong recognition among union contractors across the region.
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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