Explore Careers in Sheet Metal

Meaningful Work, Well-Paying Opportunities, and Family-First Stability

An amazing career awaits you as a professionally trained union sheet metal worker. Joining the union sheet metal trade opens the door to a world of endless career opportunities. Enjoy not only high pay but also comprehensive retirement benefits and health insurance, ensuring your financial well-being and peace of mind. Engage in meaningful work that directly impacts people’s lives, from contributing to the comfort of residential spaces through HVAC systems to crafting the exteriors of iconic buildings that stand as testaments to your craftsmanship. The sheet metal trade stands out with a variety of career choices, offering more options than any other skilled trade. As a problem solver, you’ll thrive in this dynamic environment, tackling diverse challenges and honing your skills. With opportunities for growth and advancement, this high-demand industry ensures that your talents are not only valued but also rewarded. Join us and be part of a community that shapes the future while enjoying fulfilling and well-compensated work!

Architectural

Architectural sheet metal involves shaping metal into useful and eye-catching forms for modern structures. As an apprentice, you will learn the basic principles of architecture and work in a shop or outdoors on construction sites with other trade workers. Journey-level workers create functional and visually appealing structures, including building decoration through shaping metal to create attractive designs.  There are many career opportunities in this field:

  • Installer
  • Estimator
  • Fabricator
  • Crew leader
  • Designer
  • Project Manager
  • Supervisor

Commercial HVAC

As a Commercial HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) sheet metal worker, you will work on high-volume mechanical systems that deliver heated and cooled air to commercial buildings. These systems are found in almost every imaginable building including hospitals, schools, airports, museums, factories, restaurants, and so much more. Opportunities in this field include:

  •     Installer
  •     Service Technician
  •     Supervisor
  •     Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB) Technician
  •     Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Technician
  •     Energy Management Technician
  •     Commissioning Agent
  •     Project Manager
  •     Detailer

Detailing

Sheet metal detailing involves creating detailed drawings of building systems for HVAC, electrical and plumbing/piping. This is a crucial part of computer-aided drafting (CAD) that ensures occupant comfort and safety, as well as efficient installation during onsite work. Most of your work will be done in an office setting, with apprentices receiving training on complex building systems and journey-level worker detailers communicating with project managers and other industry professionals. There are several opportunities for growth in this field:

  • Detailer
  • Estimator 
  • Database Administrator 
  • BIM Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Contractor

Industrial

As an Industrial Sheet Metal Welder, you create and design machines for various industries using heavy-duty machinery. You will also install air handling systems in facilities that require clean air. Your skills are in high demand, and projects can be done worldwide. Whether working at a construction site, installing large machine components or in a specialized fabrication shop, each project you take on will enhance the quality of life for many people. There are many career opportunities to choose from in this field:

  • AWS-ASME Certified Industrial Welder
  • Custom Fabricator
  • Pipe Welder
  • Grinder and Finisher
  • Press Brake Operator
  • Power Slip Roll Operator
  • Shearing Machine Operator
  • Plasma Cutter Operator
  • Rigging
  • Field Foreperson
  • Shop Foreperson
  • Estimator
  • Project Manager
  • Shop Owner

Residential HVAC

Residential HVAC sheet metal workers are experts in installing duct systems for builders in the housing industry. You will work with specialized custom home builders or high-volume builders who develop large subdivisions containing many homes. From single-family homes to townhomes and apartment buildings, you will install ductwork in a wide variety of residences. You will also excel in remodeling, upgrading, and troubleshooting duct systems. This type of work is mainly done on-site, providing opportunities to hone your skills. Joining this field offers a rewarding career path.

  • New Construction Installer
  • Residential Finish Installer
  • Retrofit Technician
  • Residential Services Technician

HVAC Service Technician

Skilled technicians are in high demand in the field of HVAC and refrigeration. Aspiring apprentices can expect to gain knowledge in heating and cooling systems that ensure safety and comfort in buildings, as well as refrigeration systems that help preserve food and maintain safe temperatures for medical supplies like blood.  As a journey-level worker you’ll work on a range of job sites, installing and testing systems to guarantee efficiency and safety. Though conditions may sometimes be tough – such as during turbulent weather – the work you do is always exciting, challenging, and consistently requested.  A variety of career opportunities are available in this field.

  • Installer
  • Service Technician
  • System Evaluator
  • Electrical Troubleshooting

TESTING, ADJUSTING, BALANCING

If you’re interested in a career that involves math, complex systems, and problem-solving, then Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) might be the perfect field for you.  TAB technicians play a crucial role in ensuring that air and water delivery systems are operating efficiently, quietly, and safely throughout a building. As a TAB journey-level worker, you’ll be responsible for working on air and water delivery systems to meet the specifications outlined by the design engineer. Meanwhile, as an apprentice, you’ll learn all about the different parts of HVAC and fluid flow systems analysis and measurements to conduct the right tests, make the correct adjustments, and deal with any problems that arise. This field offers numerous opportunities for growth and development.

This is an extraordinary time to become a skilled sheet metal worker, and we are always accepting applications for our highly valued training program.

“After joining the apprenticeship, my quality of life changed. I am making more money and I'm able to help and take care of my family.”
Demetria
Apprentice, Second Year, Period 3
“After joining the apprenticeship, my quality of life changed. I am making more money and I'm able to help and take care of my family.”
Demetria
Apprentice, Second Year, Period 3
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