Designs, fabricates, installs and repairs ducts and fittings for heating, ventilating, air conditioning, exhaust and dust collection systems.
Wage Rate: $29.64 (Base rate, not including benefits)
Would you enjoy using precision tools? Could you create a three-dimensional drawing? Are you good with mechanical things? Do you like working with your hands? Then, you could become a Sheet Metal Worker!
Sheet Metal Workers require highly specialized and up-to-date skills. They use these skills in the shop and on construction sites to design, fabricate, assemble, install and repair sheet metal and plastic, for everything from heating and ventilation systems to roofing, siding, eavestroughing and shelving units.
You can get a jump-start on your future career in the construction trades by checking out construction courses offered at colleges and high schools. These hands-on courses will help you build the basic skills you will use in the construction industry.
While you're still in high school, you can begin a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship program as a Senior Years Apprentice and earn both high school and apprenticeship credits at the same time. After high school graduation, many Senior Years apprentices continue in regular, full-time apprenticeship programs.
To enter the Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship program full-time, you must be at least 16, be a Senior 4 graduate, or, as a mature student, have an equivalent academic standing. A good background in practical math, geometry and blueprint reading is a definite asset.
4 levels including four in-school sessions.
You must have a qualified employer who is willing to train you as an apprentice. To register in the apprenticeship program, you and your employer complete an application form together and submit it to the Apprenticeship Branch. Once the application is approved, apprenticeship training begins under the supervision of a certified journeyperson.
The apprenticeship is four levels. The first four levels consist of on-the-job practical experience and some in-school technical training. (Work hours and school time must total at least 1800 hours per level.) Applicants who have successfully completed related courses of study or work experience may be eligible for advanced standing in the apprenticeship program.
The Apprenticeship Branch arranges your classroom technical training. When you go to school, you pay a small portion of the tuition and are responsible for the cost of any required books and supplies. Most apprentices are eligible for employment insurance (EI) when they go to school.
When you successfully complete all levels of training, and score at least 70 % on your final examination, you receive a Certificate of Qualification confirming your status as a certified journeyperson. Your certificate also has "Red Seal" endorsement that means your trade qualifications are generally recognized throughout most of Canada.
For more detailed information on apprenticeship training in this trade, check the Apprenticeship web site at : http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/aet/apprent/index.htm
Wage Rate: $29.64 (Base rate, not including benefits).
Employers provide holiday and vacation pay and may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits. The value of the benefits can range from 20% to 30% over and above the basic hourly pay rate. A 40-hour workweek is normal. Some overtime may be required to meet construction deadlines
This is a stable industry with an ongoing demand for certified tradespeople. Sheet Metal Workers are employed in manufacturing, construction, metal fabrication and railways. You could work for sheet metal, air-conditioning and heating contractors in residential, commercial and industrial construction or for roofing contractors installing flashing and coping. Deckers and Cladders are two types of Sheet Metal Workers.
With experience, you can become a specialist in design and layout work or in estimating the cost of installations. You can also advance to supervisory positions. With additional training, you can transfer your skills to related occupations such as Welder, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic, Machinist, Millwright, Plumber, Boilermaker, Ironworker, Pipefitter, Roofer or Insulator.