Sheet Metal Workers
Sheet Metal Workers
Career Overview
Sheet metal workers measure, cut, shape, assemble, install, and repair products and systems made from metal. They may work on building systems such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), or create metal products in manufacturing shops. Modern sheet metal work can also involve computer-aided design (CAD), automated equipment, and precision tools.
Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is usually required. Most sheet metal workers learn through a three- to five-year apprenticeship, combining classroom learning with paid, hands-on training. In Canada, Sheet Metal Worker is a Red Seal trade, and qualified workers can earn the Red Seal endorsement by passing the interprovincial exam.
Work Environment
Sheet metal workers may work in manufacturing shops, construction sites, or industrial facilities. The job can involve standing for long periods, lifting materials, using power tools, and working at heights or in tight spaces. Construction workers may work outdoors in changing weather, while manufacturing workers usually work indoors.
Future Outlook
Sheet metal workers will continue to be needed for construction, HVAC systems, manufacturing, and building maintenance. New technology, including automated equipment, CAD, and precision fabrication tools, is changing how some metal products are made. Workers with strong technical and computer skills can be well prepared for these changes.
Recommended High School Courses
- Physics
- Computer-aided Design Competency
- Mathematics
- Technology
- Technical Drawing
- Manufacturing Technology
- Metal Working
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
- Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
- Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
- Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Depth Perception - The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
- Extent Flexibility - The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
- Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
- Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
- Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
- Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
- Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
- Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
- Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
- Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
- Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
- Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Create construction or installation diagrams.
- Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
- Mark reference points on construction materials.
- Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.
- Assemble products or production equipment.
- Weld metal components.
- Plan layout of construction, installation, or repairs.
- Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.
- Fabricate parts or components.
- Select construction materials.
- Position structural components.
- Inspect completed work to ensure proper installation.
- Move construction or extraction materials to locations where they are needed.
- Evaluate construction projects to determine compliance with external standards or regulations.
- Install building fixtures.
- Install plumbing or piping.
- Direct construction or extraction personnel.
- Train construction or extraction personnel.
- Maintain construction tools or equipment.
- Install roofing materials.
- Inspect industrial or commercial equipment to ensure proper operation.
- Install green structural components, equipment or systems.
Schools
American River College
Columbus State Community...
Emily Griffith Technical...
Gateway Community College...
College Of The North A...
Conestoga College- Cam...
Grande Prairie Regiona...
Mohawk College- Stoney...
Montreal School Of Con...
Northern Alberta Insti...
Nova Scotia Community...
Potential Scholarships
5 Strong Scholarship
Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...
Curt Pozan Trades Scholar...
Approx Salary Expectation
Low End:
$39,000.00 /yr
Avg/Med:
$62,000.00 /yr
High End:
$106,000.00 /yr
Related Careers
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.