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Sheet Metal Workers fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as control boxes, drain pipes, ventilators, duct work, and furnace casings according to job orders or blueprints.  

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Sheet Metal Workers may:

Study blueprints to learn type of job, location, size and kind of metal needed  

Make shop drawings from blueprints to follow when constructing and assembling the sheet metal product  

Set up and operate fabricating machines to cut, bend and straighten sheet metal  

Make metal sheet to show where it is to be cut or bent  

Cut and shape the metal piece using various tools and machines  

Set up and operate soldering and welding equipment to join metal parts  

Smooth seams, joints, or rough surfaces  

Check finished parts for proper measurements  

Install assemblies in work site according to blueprint specification using hand tools and power tools  

Inspect assemblies and installation using measuring instruments  

Manuever completed units for installation, and anchor units

Determine requirements along with materials and instructions

Drill and punch holes in metal for bolts and screws

To see Sheet Metal Workers at work click  here .

Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

804.281-010  SHEET-METAL WORKERS fabricate, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as control boxes, drainpipes, ventilators, duct work, and furnace casings according to job orders or blueprints. Sheet Metal Workers may specialize according to type of metal used, such as tin or copper, or according to activities performed, such as lay-out work, fabricating machine operation, installation work, or maintenance work.  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Sheet Metal Workers may work alone, with a crew, or with a helper or apprentice.  

Some shops have adequate lighting, ventilation, and machine safe-guards. Others may be drafty, poorly heated, cluttered with scrap materials, or filled with fumes from welding or soldering. The shops may be noisy because of hammering or machine operations. There may be oil or grease around.  

Installation work may require working outdoors (exposed to the weather), at heights, or in awkward or cramped positions. Injuries may occur from careless use of tools and machinery, cuts from metal, burns from soldering or welding, and falls from ladders or scaffolds. Their environment should not be hazardous, however, if safety measures are used.  

Most Sheet Metal Workers work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Overtime may be available to get the job done by a certain date. Bad weather may affect the steadiness of employment of some Sheet Metal Workers who work outdoors. Travel to an out-of-town construction site may be necessary. Sheet Metal Workers may have to buy some of their tools. There are also opportunities for training and apprenticeships with contractor associations such as the Associated Builders and Contractors Association of Southeast Michigan. Many Sheet Metal Workers are unionized. They usually belong to The Sheet Metal Workers' international Association or the union representing the workers in the industry where they are employed. Union members must pay dues.  

You Should Prefer:

• Working with things and objects  

• Using machines, processes, and methods in your work  

• Performing activities which bring personal satisfaction  

You Should Be Able To:

• Understand shop math  

• Work skillfully with tools, metals, and machines  

• Visualize three-dimensional objects from drawings/sketches/blueprints  

• Work within precise limits and standards of accuracy  

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often  

• Rate information using measurable standards  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

You are asked to make a wedge-shaped metal bin. It is open at the top with a right triangle at each end. This bin will be 1.30 meters high, 0.75 meters across. and 1.75 meters long. Not counting waste or edging, how many square meters of material will you need?  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

The electroslag welding process is similar to electrogas welding. A thick layer of powdered flux is placed in the joint before welding begins. Once welding starts, the powdered flux melts. It forms a protective, floating slag above the weld area.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare an analysis following a sheet metal assembly inspection indicating defects in the assembly.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate analytical skills and be detail oriented in assembling, repairing, and inspecting sheet metal products.  

You may have to meet physical, aptitude, and educational requirements to qualify for an apprenticeship.  

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***  

0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***  

036   HEATING/AIR/REFRIG. MECHANICS

Approved vocational education programs in Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics prepare students to install, repair, and maintain the operating condition of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Included is instruction in the theory and application of principles involved in conditioning of air; cooling, heating, filtering, and controlling humidity; the operating characteristics of various units and parts; blueprint reading; the use of technical reference manuals; the diagnosis of malfunctions; the overhaul, repair, and adjustment of units and parts such as pumps, compressors, valves, springs, and connections; and the repair of electric and pneumatic control systems.  

Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.  

050   SHEET METAL

Approved vocational education programs in Sheet Metal prepare students to make, install, maintain, and repair items made of steel, copper, stainless steel, or aluminum. Instruction is given in the use of hand tools and special machines such as cornice brakes, forming rolls, and squaring shears.  

Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.  

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***  

035   CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

Construction and Building Technology programs provide opportunities to gain the needed knowledge and skills for employment in the many different types of construction and building jobs. Individuals who teach Construction and Building Technology at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.  

Courses within this program will vary but may include:

105   SHEET METAL FABRICATING

Programs in Sheet Metal Fabricating provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills used in laying out, making, and maintaining sheet metal items. Program #35, Construction and Building Technology, identifies similar opportunities.  

Training usually includes instruction in the following:

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES*** 

   Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

044   SHEET METAL WORKER

Many people enter occupations within this Career Exploration Script  through an apprenticeship program.  An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.  

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***  

Please check the Military website at  http://www.myfuture.com .

WELDERS AND METAL WORKERS  

Sheet metal is used as a building material in many military construction projects. Ships, tanks, and aircraft are made of heavy metal armor. Welders and metal workers make and install sheet metal products, such as roofs, air ducts, gutters, and vents. They also make custom parts to repair the structural parts of ships, submarines, landing craft, buildings, and equipment.  

What They Do  

Welders and metal workers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:  

• Weld, braze, or solder metal parts together  

• Repair automotive and ship parts using welding equipment  

• Measure work with calipers, micrometers, and rulers  

Physical Demands  

Welders and metal workers may have to lift heavy metal parts and work in crouching or kneeling positions. Good color vision is required for locating and marking reference points, setting and adjusting welding equipment, and matching paints. 

Helpful Attributes  

Helpful school subjects include auto mechanics and industrial arts. Helpful attributes include:  

• Preference for physical work  

• Interest in working with repair tools  

Work Environment  

Welders and metal workers work indoors in metalworking shops and aircraft hangars. They also work outdoors at construction sites, on ships, and in the field.  

Civilian Counterparts  

Civilian welders and metal workers may work for metal repair shops, auto repair shops, construction companies, pipeline companies, aircraft manufacturing plants, shipyards, and marine servicing companies. They perform duties similar to military welders and metal workers.  

Training Provided  

Job training consists of 4 to 15 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:  

• Sheet metal layout and duct work  

• Procedures for cutting, brazing, and heat treating  

• Operation and care of welding, soldering, and brazing equipment  

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps offer certified apprenticeship programs for some specialties in this occupation.

Opportunities  

The services need new welders and metal workers each year. After job training, welders and metal workers begin to make and repair metal equipment under the direction of a supervisor. With experience, they may become managers of repair shops, maintenance depots, or shipyards.

  E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Persons may gain experience in sheet metal work in military service, through formal apprenticeship programs, and by working as a helper to a skilled worker. Secondary vocational education programs in sheet metal and heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics, as well as postsecondary sheet metal fabricating and construction and building technology programs may offer opportunities for practical experience also.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local Sheet Metal Workers employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a Sheet Metal Workers employer  

community service work with an agency  

Some of the ways to find jobs as a Sheet Metal Worker are completing an apprenticeship, direct application to employers, and referral to employers from another employee. Assistance may be obtained from school placement offices, newspaper want ads, local unions, local contractor associations, and at local offices of the Michigan Works!  In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

 You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Wages for Sheet Metal Workers depend on geographic area, union affiliation, employer size and type, and the workers' experience and skill.  

Nationally, basic hourly wage rate for unionized Sheet Metal Workers in residential construction averaged $25.98 in early 2007. The median hourly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $16.78 in 2006.  

In Michigan, union hourly wages, including fringe benefits, for construction Sheet Metal Workers in several areas were (late 2007):  

In early 2007, hourly wages for Sheet Metal Workers employed by the City of Detroit were: Mechanic, $15.09-$15.55; Sheet Metal Worker, $24.76; and Assistant Supervisor, $25.59.  

Sheet Metal Worker Apprentices may start at 45% to 70% of the rate paid to journeyworkers and receive periodic pay raises.  

Most Sheet Metal Workers receive paid vacations, group health and life insurance, and pension plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers. Employers and employees may contribute jointly to union funds to pay for certain fringe benefits.  

Sheet Metal Workers begin as apprentices. With training and experience as journeyworkers, they may advance to become supervisors, estimators, or layout workers. Promotions depend on experience, increased skill, and additional education and training.  

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 198,000 Sheet Metal Workers were employed in 2004. Employment in this occupation is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. Some openings are expected each year as workers retire, die, or transfer to other jobs or lines of work. About 4.7% of them were self employed. The industry distribution for Sheet Metal Workers looked like this:    

There are about 6,100 Sheet Metal Workers employed in Michigan.  Most of them work in urban areas.    

Employment of Sheet Metal Workers in Michigan is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2014. An average of 200 annual job openings is expected with 55 due to growth and 145 due to replacement of workers who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. In late 2006, there were 398 apprentices training for this occupation, and 67 completed the apprenticeship program during the prior 12 months.  

Employment opportunities will fluctuate with the levels of residential, commercial, and plant construction activities which require the installation of sheet metal products. Efforts to control and reduce environmental air pollution should create some employment opportunities for Sheet Metal Workers. The recent increase in economic activity in Michigan has provided an increase in both residential and commercial construction.  

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2014  

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from sources below.  

Copyright © 2008 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth