Sheet Metal Apprenticeship

Most sheet metal workers fabricate, install and maintain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Others work in specialty areas such as kitchen equipment, sign work, metal decking and siding, heavy metal work and blowpipe. Still more careers involve ornamental and decorative sheet metal and architectural work such as copper work, rain protection systems, and skylights.

You must be able perform lifting, bending and climbing, in high places and tight spaces, indoors or outdoors in all weather. Apprentices are required to supply their own tools of the trade as they advance through the program. You will work under the supervision of a journeyman metal worker while on the job at an industrial plant or publicly owned facility. Employers determine the length of apprenticeships, but they normally take four to five years.

Courses taught at ECAM:

SHEETM-430, Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing 1 (1.5 credits/45 hours)
You will learn how to test, adjust and balance the air side of a single zone constant volume air conditioning system. Combined theory and lab work provide the principles of HVAC system understanding. Instrumentation and controls also will be studied.

SHEETM-431, Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing 2 (1.5 credits/45 hours)
You will learn how to test, adjust and balance the hydronic side of a single zone constant volume air conditioning system. Combined theory and lab work provide the principles of hydronic system understanding. Instrumentation and lab controls also are studied.

SHEETM-518, Measuring and Sketching (1 credit, 32 hours)
You will be given a single line drawing and some design parameters to use in designing, sizing and measuring a system. A sketch and shop drawing will be developed. A takeoff of duct fittings will be made and analyzed using basic computer software.

SHEETM-592, HVAC Systems (1 credit/32 hours)
You will develop a basic understanding of heating, cooling and ventilation systems. The theory of electricity, airflow in duct systems, heating and cooling cycles, and duct system design are studied.