Sheet Metal Workers Career

Sheet metal workers design, install and maintain ventilation, heating and air conditioning duct systems; siding, roofs, rain gutters, skylights, downpours, restaurant equipments and customized precision equipments among many other products made from metal sheets. Although some metal workers specialize in installation, fabrication or maintenance, most perform all the three jobs. Sheet metal workers handle both construction-related work and large scale manufacturing of sheet metal products.

How to Become a Sheet Metal Worker

To be a skilled sheet metal worker, it takes between 4 and 5 years of both classroom and on-the-job training. As much as there are various methods of achieving this training, the more formalized the training a worker receives the more thorough they are, therefore the greater the marketability and pay. This training can start in high school, where classes in geometry, algebra, English, blueprint reading and mechanical drawings are highly recommended.

Types, Description, Information

The most common way of getting into the sheet metal working career is joining a contractor who can provide on-the-job training. Entry level workers often start as assistants and helpers, assisting more experienced workers. These tasks include carrying metal and cleaning up debris on the work floor while learning about the skills of trade and use of tools. Later on, they learn to operate machines that bend and cut metal then they may go offsite to learn installation and other techniques. Some employers send their employees to courses at a vocational school, community college or trade meets to receive further formal training.

With experience, sheet metal workers become fulltime professionals who can work independently or even start their own businesses. For those who are employed, they may become senior fabricators, designers, supervisors, consultants or overseers.

Qualifications: Courses, Training, Certification

There are various courses available for those wishing to advance their careers as sheet metal workers in vocational institutes, technical training colleges, community colleges and other institutions. However, due to the broadness of the field, it is not possible to offer specialized training although some employers insist on specialization. The most important lessons are computer operations and learning various types of metal properties, types of joining and their applications.

Schools, Colleges, Universities

Sheet metal workers who complete apprenticeships are certified as journey workers. This can assist prove their skills to employers.  Top colleges for sheet metal workers include:

Ontario Sheet Metal Worker’s Training Centre in Oakville

John Clark Community college, Mayfield, TX

Mt. Hood Community College–Oregon

Philadelphia vocational school– Philadelphia

Lancaster Sheet Metal training institute –Washington

Job opportunities, Salaries and Recruitment

There are good job opportunities for sheet metal workers in the construction industry due to the growth and opening arising annually. Individuals with good apprenticeship training or certified welders are particularly lucky because employers are expanding their metal work businesses every year. The median wage of a sheet metal worker is $17.96. The middle 50% earned between $13.30 and $24.89 while the lowest 10% earned less than $10.36. The highest 10% earned over $32.30 in 2008. The annual average is about $40,000.