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SHEET METAL WORKER |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
There have been no changes to this trade in the year of 2009.
Sheet metal workers design, fabricate, assemble, install, and repair the sheet metal products required in a wide variety of industries and settings.
Sheet metal workers use many types of metal including black and galvanized steel, copper, brass, nickel, stainless steel, aluminum and tin plate to make products such as:
On occasion, sheet metal workers substitute fibreglass or plastic for metals.
In general, sheet metal workers:
Sheet metal workers work from verbal instructions or blueprints, or design small jobs themselves. They make some products in a shop and install them at construction sites, but other products such as roofing and siding have to be measured and cut at the construction site. A 40-hour week is normal, but overtime may be required to meet construction deadlines. Sheet metal workers work indoors and outdoors in all types of weather. Considerable bending, reaching, working at heights or in cramped spaces may be required.
The work is most rewarding for people who enjoy developing special skills and putting them to use in a variety of ways.
To be successful, sheet metal workers need:
Most sheet metal workers are employed by sheet metal, air-conditioning and heating contractors involved in residential, commercial and industrial construction. A few are self-employed or work in shops with related trades. Some are employed by roofing contractors to install flashing and coping. Since most sheet metal workers employed in Alberta work in the construction industry, employment prospects change with changing economic conditions.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $25 to $35 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced sheet metal workers may become specialists in design and layout work or in estimating the cost of installations. They may advance to supervisory positions or go into business for themselves.
To work as a Sheet Metal Worker in Alberta, a person must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson or hold a recognized trade certificate. (see Recognized Trade Certificates)
Sheet metal workers learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A sheet metal worker who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A sheet metal worker who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Sheet metal workers who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a sheet metal worker is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1425 hours of on-the-job training and 10 weeks of technical training each year.
To learn the skills required of a sheet metal worker in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice sheet metal workers earn at least 50 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 65 percent in the second, 75 percent in the third, and 85 percent in the fourth year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for sheet metal worker apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyperson or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
