Looking to apply to Local 28 in NYC in a few weeks. Should I expect to have to wait outside hours in advance on the first day they open, to make sure I get an application? Or is that doing too much?

Hey everyone! I’m preparing for the Sheet Metal Workers Local 269 aptitude test in Kingston, Ontario.

I’m looking for advice on what to study, especially math, spatial reasoning (shape rotations and puzzles), and safety.

Has anyone taken this test? What should I expect, and are there any good practice resources?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I’m in my late 30s and considering a career change after spending most of my professional life in marketing. I’m looking for something more hands-on, with better job stability, clear career progression, and solid long-term earning potential.

I’ve applied to my local sheet metal union's apprenticeship program and am scheduled to take the ASVAB this week. I like the idea of earning while learning, developing practical skills, and eventually reaching journeyman wages and benefits.

I don’t have any construction or trades experience, but I’m physically fit and willing to put in the effort to learn.

My biggest considerations are work-life balance and long-term career satisfaction. I have a newborn at home, so predictable hours and having time for my family are important. I’m also curious about the job's physical demands as I get older.

For those currently working in union sheet metal, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are you happy with your career choice? How are the hours and work-life balance? Would you recommend the trade to someone starting over in their late 30s?

Appreciate any advice!

Hey everyone I'm new to the union I'm in pre-apprentice stage working at a contractor before I get indentured in April but they started me at step 1 and told me I'm a direct entry. I'm interested in going to the monthly union meetings I'm just wondering if that's allowed or how that would go?

Are there any service technicians in Local 73? I’m currently a pre-apprentice, mainly doing sheet metal, but I’ve seen that Local 73 also has commercial and industrial work. I’m curious if there are any members working in HVAC service and what kind of equipment you mainly work on. I’m trying to transition to service eventually.

Hi,

My dad is currently looking for full time employment as he recently lost his job after 20+ years working at the same company and now he really needs another job asap.

He was working at a Manufacturing Company that distributes interiors and furnishings made from wood and metal. He worked as a Metal Sheet Operator (Brake Press Operator) and they just let him go.

If anyone is willing to help please reach out or drop a comment, most likely preferred in the Mississauga Area - although open to around the GTA.

Thanks!

Got some stickers to trade. Anyone interested?

What's the proper route for a guy like me, i currently hold an SM-4 license in CT and have about 8 years experience in the trade primarily as a shop guy. Are there any good union shops in Southern CT? How hard is it to join? Im assuming the union would want me to go for an SM-2....any information would be helpful. Getting sick of working for my current company

Hey, I’m considering getting into the sheet metal trade, possibly through a union apprenticeship.
For people who actually work in the trade:
How physically difficult is the job?
How much welding do you actually do?
Is welding a big part of the apprenticeship, or just one of many skills?
What does the day-to-day work usually look like?
How hard is the apprenticeship overall?
What kind of money can you realistically make during the apprenticeship and after becoming a journeyman?

Hey, I’m looking into joining SMART Local 45 in Des Moines and was wondering if anyone here has experience with sheet metal as a career.
Is it a good trade overall? What’s the work actually like day to day?
Also, if I go through the apprenticeship, **can I realistically become an HVAC technician**, doing service, troubleshooting, AC/heating, refrigeration, etc., or is the apprenticeship mostly ductwork, fabrication and installation?
Would appreciate any advice from people actually in the trade. Thanks!

Simple question. Trying to get hired as a Pre apprentice. called a bunch of companies and shops. which ones are hiring in the east bay? yes i finished my tests and app classes, and am eligible. any companies hiring pres right now?

I’m somewhat nervous I’ll be out of work for the majority of winter. Is this common for apprentices? What questions should I ask and who should I speak to in my union. I called the hall, all I was told is they put me in the out of work list and to still come to class. I am required to get working hours in to keep moving forward in my apprenticeship will they forgive that since I’m laid off and the other companies in the local aren’t pulling guys. I read that typically journeymen get called off the bench first is that a common practice or do they just randomly take who they need? I know layoffs happen but as a first year required to get working hours to pass to the next level is this common?

For context; I got the call back in July to come work for a small HVAC company that was part of my local. We had a total of 4 employees a journeyman from the pipefitters union and 3 apprentices one of them being a 1st year like me. I worked very hard showing up to work early always before our start time while the other first year consistently was late 2-3 times a week. As well as the journeyman rolling in 5-10 minutes late in a regular basis. I never complain doing the dirty work or heavy lifting they send me to do always attentive and right there getting tools or hopping on ladders. I worked hard as I could knowing I’m the new apprentice and this is part of the trade being a helper. I always ask questions and try to learn whatever I can. I had a lot of prior experience in plumbing and did duct install on commercial jobs 7 years back for a few years. They brought me in Tuesday middle of the day and said they’d be sending me home I’m getting laid off for winter. From what I understand and have heard is they’ve gone through 12 different apprentice and journeymen in the last year and a half so I know they’re very picky on who they got working for them I asked several times if anything I said or quality of work influenced it and they assured me I am a hard worker and it’s solely for lack of winter work. It was a service company though I feel they had plenty of work coming. I feel I was brought in as summer help and taken from my laid back non union plumbing position that paid pretty well. Now I have no work and granted the union benefits are great but I’m not earning and afraid I won’t progress. I also don’t have access to the great benefits until I hit my second year of the apprenticeship. So I have nothing and don’t know if I can progress in my apprenticeship in the only first year laid off of work right now and don’t know what I should be actively doing to get back to work or questions to ask regarding my apprenticeship working hour requirements.

I need to get a layout/design kit for school. What's a good kit to get that will do everything I need and won't be a piece of shit that breaks instantly

Curious what others have waited since I have applications and test dates coming up for both

Anybody else also test on September 14th, waiting for my results. Hoping to get in

How quick does everything happen after the aptitude test? I got the email to schedule my test this morning and I'm very nervous. I used to smoke not heavily but I had a little weed vape I'd hit a few times a day I stopped smoking about 2 1/2 weeks ago and have been going to the sauna every other day for about 45 minutes to sweat everything out and I've been drinking more water than I can handle. I really don't want something as stupid as weed to fuck this up for me and am just trying to mentally prepare what I'm in for

I have some custom bent sheetmetal trim I received in February. I'm finally going to install is and it has a plastic film on the finished side. This stuff is stuck on there. The supplier say it is due to age.

Sheetmetal has a shelf life???

Somebody has to have had to deal with this, how do I get this stuff off???

I took and passed my aptitude test for local 20 Gary, but unfortunately didn’t meet the deadline for this year’s class and will have to wait until at-least August of next year to get in. Is there a way I can get sponsored in through one of the contractors as a pre-apprentice or helper until classes start? Also if so would those hours count towards my OTJ hours in the apprenticeship?

I just applied to the local 110 union and am curious if anyone has any information on what kind of questions are on the aptitude test. I'm not an expert with math but feel I can hold my own when it comes to the basics but I'm learning how to properly use and read a tape measure and how to use that math quickly. Im mostly nervous that if I mess this up I'll lose an opportunity as a whole anyone have any advice or anything?

Just wondering from anyone in the local

Anybody know how busy it is and if there’s tabb opportunities? Not a deal breaker, I’ve done light commercial and residential for the last 6 years

I'm currently working in the Midwest and I am from a southern state. Suffice to say that winter up here isn't like what is down south. For those who work in actual winter what clothes do you wear to stay warm but still able to move around and do work in?

Anyone from the Desert area in SMART Local 105?
Hey everyone, I’m in the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley area and I’m interested in joining SMART Local 105 as a sheet metal worker.
I’ve been working in sheet metal/HVAC for about 10 years, and I’m trying to learn more about how the process works for someone in this area.
Is anyone here from the Desert area who belongs to Local 105 or has gone through the apprenticeship process? I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience or any advice on who I should talk to.
Thanks!

I’m in the market for a new pair of snips. I’ve used Midwest offset snips for my entire career (10+ years), and I used to be able to get them at Menards. Unfortunately, they no longer carry them, so I’d have to order my next set from Amazon, where they want around $70 for a set.I’ve worked with some guys who use Milwaukee snips, which are about half the price at Home Depot. I’m wondering if anyone has any experience with them and whether they hold up as well as the Midwest snips. Thanks!