Careers

Your Career in Sheet Metal

Today's sheet metal industry needs highly skilled and motivated workers. Through courses offered by Western Washington JATC, you can get the high quality education and training designed to give you a satisfying career that rewards you with a good salary and limitless chances to advance in this exciting field. You will participate as an apprentice in both on-the-job training and classroom study. You'll gain both practical experience as well as the knowledge you need as you progress through the program. Is a career in sheet metal right for you? Check out sheet metal careers to learn more.

What's It like to be an Apprentice?

When you enter an apprenticeship, you agree to work in an on-the-job training program and attend specialized classes for between three and five years. It's a bit like going to college with these important exceptions. You

• Earn a good salary while learning your trade – a salary that increases as your skills and knowledge increase
• Pay no tuition costs
• Pay nothing for books or other educational materials
• Learn from instructors who have hands-on experience in the sheet metal industry
• Put everything you learn to work right away—your career begins with your apprenticeship
• Start your career free from student loans

Do you Qualify to be an Apprentice?

As with any other field, there are some basic requirements for a career in the sheet metal industry. You'll need a high school or GED diploma,you will have to take a written exam and complete a personal interview. In addition, you should:

• - Be in good physical condition
• - Have above average mechanical and math skills
• - Have good eye-to-hand coordination
• - Understand spatial relationships
• - Understand how patterns are used to create metal forms
• - Have excellent work and study habits

As an apprentice you will become a member of your local union. Once you complete your apprenticeship, you can continue to learn and specialize in one or more areas. Learn more about opportunities in sheet metal.

• Commercial Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
• Architectural Sheet Metal
• Service and Refrigeration
• Testing Adjusting and Balancing (TAB)
• Residential Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
• Industrial/Welding

Why Join The Union?

Working people join unions so that they can voice their concerns about the work they do. Unions work to improve conditions for workers in these areas:

• Pay
• Safety
• Benefits
• Working conditions

Union workers earn better wages and benefits than nonunion workers. Compared with nonunion workers, a greater percentage of union members have guaranteed pensions and health insurance benefits.

A union is a democratic organization. Officers are elected from among union members. These officers negotiate contracts with the owners of a company on behalf of the workers. Members of the union pay dues to cover the costs of representing the rights of workers and see dues as an important investment in their future. Dues vary by union and area of the country. Generally union members vote to set dues based on a variety of factors. You can become active in your union in many ways such as voting, serving on a committee, or holding an office.

Here are the benefits you can expect from your union membership:

• Life and health insurance programs
• A pension plan
• A vacation program
• A journeyperson card*
• An exceptional training program
• Industry publications and information
• A written guarantee that tells contractors that you will work for a professional wage

* Upon attaining journeyperson status (This card is recognized nationwide.)