Sheet Metal Worker at SW Central ID Sheet Metal Workers JATC
at SW Central ID Sheet Metal Workers JATC in Boise, ID
About This Program
The SW Central ID Sheet Metal Workers JATC offers a union Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Boise, ID. This Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program is designed to develop highly skilled tradespeople through a combination of paid on-the-job experience and formal technical instruction, with full union support throughout the process.
The program runs for five years and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn sheet metal fabrication, HVAC ductwork layout and installation, roofing and architectural metal applications, and precision measurement techniques. Classroom coursework covers blueprint reading, geometry, welding, and safety regulations, reinforcing the skills built in the field. Wages increase regularly as apprentices advance.
Upon completion, graduates earn journeyman status as Sheet Metal Workers and the benefits of union membership — including competitive negotiated wages, health coverage, and retirement contributions — positioning them for a strong, long-term career in the Boise area trades market.
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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