FAQs

The Arizona Sheet Metal JATC is a joint apprenticeship comprised of a Labor/Management Committee. Our committee consists of six members: three members representing the union and three members representing union contractors.

Our program is designed to educate and train the most qualified sheet metal workers in the industry. There are diverse job opportunities in the sheet metal industry, including installation of architectural sheet metal, kitchen equipment, and ducts for heating and air conditioning systems in residential and commercial buildings. You will receive college-accredited training in AutoCAD, TAB (Air Balancing) refrigeration/service, welding, and HVAC fabrication and installation.

HOW DO I BECOME A SHEET METAL WORKER?

WHEN & WHERE TO APPLY
The JATC accepts applications for its apprenticeship program Mondays – Thursdays every week, from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. You must apply in person at our office located at 2534 E. Adams, Phoenix, AZ 85034.

WHAT IS A SHEET METAL APPRENTICE?

A sheet metal apprentice is a person who spends five years working in the sheet metal industry while attending training classes to become a journeyman sheet metal worker. During this time, apprentices receive excellent wages and benefits as they learn skills that will support them and their families for the rest of their lives.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS IS THE RIGHT TRADE FOR ME?

If you enjoy a challenge, working with your hands, following projects through to fruition, and desire a lifelong career, then you should seriously consider work in the sheet metal industry.

HOW MUCH MONEY DOES A SHEET METAL WORKER MAKE?

BASE WAGE FOR TRAINED SHEET METAL WORKERS
Phoenix Area Commercial Journeyman: $36.15, plus an $19.26 benefit package (Phoenix Contract)
Phoenix Commercial Apprentices: $16.99-$25.67 (Apprentice Wage Sheet Listed Below)
Benefit Package includes; Medical, Dental, optical Insurance (for you and your family) Local & National Pensions, 401-k, Apprentice/Journeyman Training, iTi, SASMI, See chart below.

PHOENIX PAY SCALES AND EARNINGS: FIVE YEAR PROGRAM
Below is a chart of the expected wages of an apprentice. These calculations do not include overtime or double time wages. An apprentice requires 800-1000 on-the-job work hours and a 70% or better overall grade at the end of each term to complete their related training.

Tradesman Rate: $14.00

1ST YEAR 2ND YEAR 3RD YEAR 4TH YEAR 5TH YEAR
47% OF JOURNEYMAN SCALE $16.99/hr. 51% OF JOURNEYMAN SCALE $18.44/hr. 56% OF JOURNEYMAN SCALE $20.24/hr 64% OF JOURNEYMAN SCALE $23.14/hr. 71% OF JOURNEYMAN SCALE $25.67/hr.
X 12 months & 1600 hours OJT
$27,184
X 12 months & 1600 hours OJT
$29,504
X 12 months & 1600 hours OJT
$32,384
X 12 months & 1600 hours OJT
$37,024
X 12 months & 1600 hours OJT
$41,072

BASE WAGE FOR TRAINED SHEET METAL WORKERS

Tucson Area Commercial Journeyman: $28.06, plus an $16.36 benefit package (Tucson Contract)
Tucson Commercial Apprentices: $14.03-$20.76 (See attached Apprentice Wage Sheet)
Benefit Package includes; Medical, Dental, Optical Insurance (for you and your family) Local & National Pensions, 401-k, Apprentice/Journeyman Training, iTi, SASMI, See chart below.

TUCSON PAY SCALES AND EARNINGS: FIVE YEAR PROGRAM

Below is a chart of the expected wages of an apprentice. These calculations do not include overtime or double time wages. An apprentice requires 800-1000 on-the-job work hours and a 70% or better overall grade at the end of each term to complete their related training.

Tradesman Rate: $12.50

1ST YEAR 2ND YEAR 3RD YEAR 4TH YEAR 5TH YEAR
50% OF JOURNEYMAN SCALE $14.03/hr. 55% OF JOURNEYMAN SCALE $15.43/hr. 59% OF JOURNEYMAN SCALE $16.56/hr 66% OF JOURNEYMAN SCALE $18.52/hr. 74% OF JOURNEYMAN SCALE $20.76/hr.
X 12 months & 1600 hours OJT
s22,448
X 12 months & 1600 hours OJT
$24,688
X 12 months & 1600 hours OJT
$26,496
X 12 months & 1600 hours OJT
$29,632
X 12 months & 1600 hours OJT
$33,216

WHAT KINDS OF BENEFITS DO I RECEIVE AS A SHEET METAL WORKER?

Medical insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, and life insurance for you and your family at no cost to you. With two pension plans and a 401(k) plan, the total package is valued at over $40.00 per hour.

WHAT ARE THE PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF A SHEET METAL WORKER?

A sheet metal worker should be able to:

  • Lift, carry, push or pull up to 50 pounds
  • Climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, handle, feel, and see
  • Work from great heights

There will be exposure to extreme temperatures due to working outside in the summertime Arizona heat. You will also be exposed to excessive noise and vibrations on job sites.

WHAT IS THE COST AND DURATION OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM?

The Arizona Sheet Metal Program is a five-year program consisting of on-the-job training and college-accredited classes through the National College Credit Recommendation Service or (NCCRS).

There are three semesters per year. Each semester contains two weeks of classes taught at our facility.

Tucson school hours are 2 nights a week @ 4 hours a night.

Phoenix school hours are Monday thru Friday 6:00 AM-2:30 pm

You will come to school on a rotating basis: one week at a time, every seven to eight weeks.

If you qualify for unemployment through the AZ Department of Economic Security, you may be able to collect unemployment while in school.

To complete our program, an apprentice must have a minimum of 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and a minimum of 720 hours of college-accredited related training in a classroom setting. Each student will be provided books and materials for class. Registration and tuition at Arizona Sheet Metal Apprenticeship is currently $285.00 per semester, for a yearly cost of $855.00. Each apprentice will register and pay their tuition at Arizona Sheet Metal Apprenticeship before coming to class at our facility located at: 2534 E. Adams, Phoenix, Arizona. When not in class we try to keep our apprentices employed by union contractors.

You can pay with Cashiers Check or Money order.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS?

Each applicant must be at least 18 years old and provide a Social Security card and a birth certificate.

Applicants must also have a High School Diploma or GED.

Once you’ve submitted this information to the apprentice office, you will need to complete the following:

APTITUDE TEST

The aptitude test consists of basic math, mechanical aptitude, and reading, all to be finished at the Arizona Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Facility.
For more information on the aptitude tests, check out the following links:
Numerical, Algebra, Reading and Writing Skills Exams
Asset Student Guide
Preparation and Sample Questions
Asset Test Study Guide Zone

DRUG SCREENING TEST AT 911 DRUG TESTING/ VERTICAL IDENTITY AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE.

After you’ve taken your aptitude test, the apprenticeship office will notify you (at your last known address/phone number) of your interview with our apprentice committee members. This interview is mandatory.

APPRENTICES WILL BE CHOSEN FOR OUR PROGRAM BASED UPON HIGHEST COMBINED SCORES FROM THE MATH AND READING EXAMS AND INTERVIEWS.

HOW DO I APPLY?

To apply, you must visit our office in person:

Arizona Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee
2534 E. Adams Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034

For more information, please call us at 602-275-6511. Thank you for your interest in our apprenticeship program. We look forward to having you join us!

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