Careers

Sheet Metal Apprentices can specialize in a number of different areas that include:

Architectural Sheet Metal

Architectural sheet metal is a combination of technical skills and artistry. The shaping of metal into useful and beautiful forms is a centuries-old craft. Architects, by the 19th century, began to use sheet metal to construct large buildings. Some of the most familiar 19th and 20th-century structures built incorporate various types of sheet metal in their designs such as:

Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
The Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle
CN Tower, Toronto
Empire State Building, New York
Peter B. Lewis Building, Cleveland
Statue of Liberty, New York

In this field, apprentices learn the basic principles of architecture and see the role that sheet metal plays in modern structures. Most work will be outside on a construction site, where journeymen work in a challenging environment with architects, engineers, and dozens of other trade workers. Journeymen help create buildings or bridges that are both functional and beautiful. This work may also include building decoration, shaping metal to create attractive and long-lasting designs. Opportunities in this field include:

Installer
Fabricator
Solderer
Crew leader
Designer
Project Manager
Customer Sales and Service

Commercial HVAC

HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) is a field where tradesmen 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:

Schools
Hospitals
Airports
Train or subway stations
Factories
Museums
Office buildings
Restaurants
Shopping centers

Apprentices will work in an exciting environment with dozens of other trade workers and will be part of creating something that is long lasting and enhances the quality of life for many people. 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 is considered CAD (computer-aided drafting) work to produce detailed two- and three-dimensional drawings of the major systems making buildings comfortable and safe. These drawings help ensure workers install all systems efficiently and on time. These systems include:

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
Electrical conduits and wiring
Plumbing/Piping

Although jobsite work is required, Sheet Metal Detailers do most of their work inside an office at a computer. Apprentices will learn about complex building systems and how those systems operate. Journeymen work with blueprints and communicate regularly with project managers, trade workers and many other people involved in the construction of buildings. Opportunities in this field include:

Detailer
Customer Service Representative
Project Manager
Contractor

Industrial Sheet Metal Welding

Industrial Sheet Metal Welders work on large-scale projects; custom, one-of-a-kind projects; or large shop-built modules. The metals used in this industry can be up to one-inch thick and parts must be moved or hoisted into place using large, heavy-gauge machinery or even helicopters. In this field, Journeymen make machines used in a number of industries such as automotive assembly or food processing plants. Sheet Metal Workers design, assemble, and install the air handling systems needed in facilities requiring clean, filtered air, such as computer assembly plants or the pharmaceutical industry. Our members can work on specialized one-of-a-kind installations almost anywhere in the world. Journeymen work on construction jobsites installing large machine components or in specialized fabrication shops. These projects that will last for years and enhance the quality of life for many people, helping make this challenging work satisfying. Opportunities in this field include:

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
Mobile Crane Operator
Boom Truck Operator
Rigging
Field Foreman
Shop Foreman
Estimator
Project Manager
Shop Owner

Residential HVAC

Residential HVAC technicians work on installing duct systems for builders in the housing industry. Tradesmen work in new construction for a specialized custom home builder or for high-volume builders who develop large subdivisions containing many homes. They install ductwork for a wide variety of residences including single-family homes, townhomes and apartment buildings. Work also can include the remodeling, upgrading or troubleshooting of duct systems. Most of this work is done in the field. Opportunities in this field include:

New Construction Installer
Residential Finish Installer
Retrofit Technician
Residential Services Technician

Service and Refrigeration

Demand for skilled technicians in this field is high. Apprentices going into this field will learn about heating and cooling systems designed to make buildings comfortable and safe, and refrigeration systems that prolong the life of foods and keep medicines and blood supplies at safe temperatures. Services technician work includes:

Laying out and connecting piping systems
Leak testing pipe and equipment
Clearing and charging systems with refrigerant
Servicing and testing electrical components
Connecting pressure testing equipment
Measuring system performance
Diagnosing system malfunctions

Journeymen work on a variety of job sites installing and testing systems to ensure they are operating safely and efficiently. Work can be performed in dangerous conditions, for example, during a storm. The work is exciting, challenging and will always be in demand. Opportunities in this field include:

Installer
Service Technician
System Evaluator
Energy Consumption Manager
Electrical Troubleshooting

Testing, Adjusting and Balancing

Testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) is an important part of air and water delivery systems. TAB technicians work to ensure air and water are delivered efficiently, quietly and safely throughout a building. Journeymen are responsible for working on air and water delivery systems to meet the specifications outlined by the design engineer. Apprentices will learn all the parts of HVAC and fluid flow systems analysis and measurements to conduct the right tests, make the correct adjustments and deal with any problems. Those who like math and enjoy the idea of working on complex systems and solving problems should consider a career in TAB. Opportunities in this field include:

Energy Management
Indoor Air Quality
Building Systems Commissioning
Sound and Vibration Testing
Life Safety Control Systems
HVAC Installation or System Controls
System Design
Project Management or Facility Management
Clean Room Work or Certification

Sheet Metal Apprentices can specialize in a number of different areas that include:

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