Sheet Metal Worker at Southern California Sheet Metal JATC
at Southern California Sheet Metal JATC in City of Industry, CA
About This Program
Southern California Sheet Metal JATC sponsors this registered Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship program in City of Industry, CA. This union JATC program serves one of the nation's largest and most active regional construction markets, providing apprentices with a paid, structured pathway into the sheet metal trade under joint labor-management oversight. Wage increases accompany each stage of advancement through the program.
The program is 5 years in length and combines 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work in the field learning HVAC ductwork fabrication and installation, architectural sheet metal, roofing systems, and welding alongside skilled journeymen. Classroom training covers technical drawing, trade math, mechanical system design, metal fabrication, and safety codes.
Graduates earn journey-level Sheet Metal Worker status with union recognition, making them highly competitive in Southern California's robust commercial and industrial construction sector. This JATC credential is widely respected among union contractors throughout the Los Angeles basin and surrounding areas.
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.
How to Apply
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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