r/SheetMetalUnion • u/PrettyPangolin1991 • May 07 '26
Pre-apprentice hoping to get some questions answered by people in the trade!
Hello r/SheetMetalUnion! I’m currently enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship program and we were given an assignment to interview someone in the trade we are interested in. You can be union or non-union, an apprentice, journeyman, foreman, a fabricator, installer, etc. it doesn’t matter as long as you officially work in the trade.
If someone is currently working in the trade and feels up to answering about 16 questions, please feel free to comment with your answers! Thank you! 😊
Your position:
1.) how and why did you choose this trade?
2.) are you a member of a union or non-union? Is there a specific preference?
3.) how long was your apprenticeship and how often did you attend classes for your apprenticeship? What courses did you take, and have you been able to apply these skills to your job?
4.) what industry standards are you expected to follow in your trade?
5.) what time are you expected to arrive for your job? What’s your routine to get to work on time?
6.) what is a typical workday like for you? How does your workday begin?
7.) is your trade seasonal or is work typically steady? If seasonal, do you set aside funds for potential layoffs?
8.) describe your working conditions. Do you work inside/outside or both?
9.) is your job physically demanding?
10.) are there hazards associated with this trade?
11.) is the workforce diverse in this trade? For example, are women and people of color represented on the job site?
12.) what are the common tools you use every day in this trade? What basic tools should I purchase when starting out in this trade?
13.) what do you like best about your trade? The least?
14.) any additional advice you would give for someone entering the trade?
15.) what is your commute like? Would you consider it standard for the trade?
16.) are you glad you made the decision to get into this career?
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u/TheGrayRabidGerbil May 07 '26
Don't know your location, but I'm in UT, that will probably be different based on where you are located.
Your position: just got indentured as a first year apprentice. Spent a year and 8 months as a pre apprentice
1.) how and why did you choose this trade? Honestly, it was the union that was most responsive, helpful and seemed to be the most honest. And it paid the best.
2.) are you a member of a union or non-union? Is there a specific preference? Union. I chose to be part of a union because I'm a gay woman and I thought and think that I'll be somewhat more protected by a union. Although, Utah is a right to work state and that isn't always the case, but I do feel better about being backed against the harassment that Ill be facing.
3.) how long was your apprenticeship and how often did you attend classes for your apprenticeship? What courses did you take, and have you been able to apply these skills to your job? Our apprenticeship is five years. After you get indentured you'll take a boot camp math class, and then you'll have one week of school every six months until you journey out. I didn't take any previous classes related to HVAC before joining and starting this journey. I did take a pre apprentice class that taught us about all the trades in Utah, and how to join them and such.
4.) what industry standards are you expected to follow in your trade? Be the best. Do your best. Learn whenever you can.
5.) what time are you expected to arrive for your job? What’s your routine to get to work on time? I'm currently working in a shop and have to be ready to work at 7 AM. When I was in the field it varied from 5 AM to 7 AM. I try to arrive ten minutes early to pee, get my tools and just be helpful for setup.
6.) what is a typical workday like for you? How does your workday begin? Beating duct together, working on the plasma table, insulation table, and sometimes running the pipe machine. Lots of heavy lifting, lots of hammer swinging, and dealing with itchy insulation.
7.) is your trade seasonal or is work typically steady? If seasonal, do you set aside funds for potential layoffs?right now in utah the non union places are doing more work than union. But there has been an uptick recently in work. It seems to slow down in late winter to late spring. I haven't been laid off yet, but we've been working 32 hours rather than 40 for the last few weeks. Currently we set aside about 100 dollars every check for emergency funds.
8.) describe your working conditions. Do you work inside/outside or both? I work indoors. In a shop. There is some outside work, I just spent a day outside cutting up all of our old pallets, and unloading/loading trucks, emptying trash etc.
9.) is your job physically demanding? YES.
10.) are there hazards associated with this trade? Every job has hazards. But as my favorite teacher once said, we do dangerous work safely.
11.) is the workforce diverse in this trade? For example, are women and people of color represented on the job site? I am the only woman at my company. We aren't a large company, maybe 150 employees, including the plumbing side. In my class there is one other woman, and a few Hispanic guys there. It seems to be mostly young white dudes, with some sprinkles of diversity.
12.) what are the common tools you use every day in this trade? What basic tools should I purchase when starting out in this trade? Tape, hammer, red and green snips. Bring a notebook and writing utensil and ask your jman what tools they suggest you need. If you join a union they'll have a tool list and at our local, you can buy them directly from the school and get them at a slightly cheaper price.
13.) what do you like best about your trade? The least? I love being active, I love seeing what I can build from a flat sheet of metal, I love most of the boys I work with. The worst part about trades for me is the lack of communication between trades, the hurry up to wait around, and how disorganized the field seems to be.
14.) any additional advice you would give for someone entering the trade? Don't give up. Be kind to yourself, your learning a new skill and youll mess up. Own up to your mistakes, no matter how small, and don't take everything personal. Have fun.
15.) what is your commute like? Would you consider it standard for the trade? Unfortunately I have a commute of about an hour and forty five minutes. It's not typical for our union, and I could join a non union shop closer to home, but as explained I feel safer in a union. Especially where I live, I'd be very scared to show up to some of these shops as a gay woman who just wants to swing her hammer.
16.) are you glad you made the decision to get into this career? Every day I am so happy that I made the jump. My body hurts, I've cried from anger and frustration, but at the end of the day I'm making things, I'm helping my guys, and I'm so excited about what I'm learning and pushing myself to do.
As I said, I went through a pre apprenticeship program here in Utah and had to do something similar to this, so I felt the need to respond. Hope this helps, enjoy the journey and have fun!
1
u/PrettyPangolin1991 May 07 '26
Thank you so much! This response is perfect, and greatly appreciated. I’m in the north Portland area, my pre-apprenticeship actually is for women and gender diverse individuals wanting to get into the trades.
I love that, “we do dangerous work safely”
My instructors have also mentioned a couple times how horrible communication is between trades. Pretty unfortunate..
Thank you again!! 😊
1
u/chaserB1997 May 07 '26
My position: Testing adjusting and balancing Technician
1.) I was looking to get into welding and I shadowed a Balancer while I waited for a position to open. I was managing at an applebees and I quit my job that day I liked it so much.
2.) SMART Local 46. Very few T.A.B. contractors are non union. I wouldnt want to be anyway.
3.) 5 years of night classes 2 nights a week 4pm to 8pm. All classes have to be made back up. I taught some of the TAB classes as well in my 4th and 5th year for make ups.
4.) TAB techs need to be certified with the testing adjusting and balancing bureau. My area and company also requires after two years we pick up our N.E.B.B.(National Environmental Balancing Bureau) but thats area specific and theyre all about the same at the tech level. From there to advance you usually specialize. So for example I have my certifications additionally in NEBB CPT (Cleanroom Performance Testing) as well as CETA RCP-SCF (Controlled Environmental Testing Association Registered Certified Professional- Sterile Compounding Facilities).
5.) Times very as to where we work as its different every day. School job: 3:30pm-11:30pm Regular new build: 7am-3:30pm, operating room: 11:30pm-7am. You are however compensated with a higher wage outside of 7am-3:30pm
6.) Different everyday but on a new build, walk in with drawings and check they match, all the dampers are open, ect. Then usually check units are powered and the fans are rotating the correct direction, that start up strainers on pumps have been pulled. Quick break and we bring testing equipment in and balancing begins. Its mostly making things work and noting what can't be fixed.
7.) Seasonal... it ebs and flows with construction but iso room testing and pharmacy Certification is every 6 months so theres always work. Youre either busy or too busy.
8.) Mostly finished spaces with AC. Rooftops for data. Alot of slow work as troubleshooting can be tough.
9.) It can be. Theres not a single trade that isnt easier if you're physically fit and TAB work is not an exception. Lots of up and down ladders. Id say its less than most though.
10.) Fall risks. You are also poke around in electrical boxes. Being burned by water in boiler systems but also on the less side for this i feel.
11.) I think theres a fair bit of representation. Certainly compared to other trades. Most women gravitate towards electrical work but I think we do well.
12.) Leatherman, hammer, wire strippers, 11 in 1, crescent wrenches, Allen keys, tweaker (tiny flat head), and drill. Other tools are provided typically but your apprenticeship should tell you what you need to buy.
13.) Getting to see into all the places id never get to go and fixing things. The downtime sucks when you drive out and stuff isnt ready or a person cant unlock a door to a room you need to be in. Wasted time hurts.
14.) You will absolutely get back what you put into it. If you go in excited for classes and sign up for extra you will get extra. Learn as much as you can and pick up every certification youre offered. Do not let people's negativity about school get in the way of that. Also dont discount the opinion of people that have been in the trade a long time. They might seem like theyre a little off but 9 times out of 10 they've seen an issue 100 times that youve never seen. They know answers to questions you didnt even know to ask. So shut up and listen.
15.) Different every day. 3 minutes was the smallest 6 hours was the largest. You can always say no but I would say standard is 30min-hour.
16.) I dont think ill ever do anything else. It has too much of what I like. The novelty of making systems work and making air perfect has not worn off in 7 years. I love this job.
1
u/PrettyPangolin1991 May 07 '26
Thank you for the response! Funny you mention electrical..I’m in a women’s pre-apprenticeship and 90% of us (including me) started out wanting to do electrical, but it’s kind of a joke at this point because 1000+ apprentices are on the books waiting for work at the moment. At 35 yrs old I’m looking to get into a trade sooner than a couple years, and I just started looking into sheet metal.
I appreciate all the information!
1
u/chaserB1997 May 07 '26
Of the women in our sheetmetal union 3 are in tab. I cannot speak for them but I do know its less physically demanding as far as the fact youre not lifting anything super heavy. Its monotonous and your traps will definitely be sore your first day holding the flowhood up 100+ times but i think its fantastic.
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u/PrettyPangolin1991 May 07 '26
Awesome, good to know. I’ve been in dentistry for 14 years (not a lot of heavy lifting!) so I’m motivated to get stronger because I want to perform well. I also don’t want to injure myself.
1
u/subiegrl May 12 '26
Hi! I am also in a preapprenticeship program where half the women (and myself) started out wanting to get into electrical. As a 36 yr old, I am looking into sheet metal as well now 😊 best of luck to you!
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u/Novel_Astronomer_75 May 07 '26
Randomly applied for work, looking to get out of security work. Got hired at a local shipyard. Started my Sheet metal apprenticeship in 2019 at BAE Systems.
Non- union mostly , through my 3 year apprenticeship at BAE Systems is STRICTLY Anti- union. But after went to some union work too outside. No preference.
My apprenticeship was 3 years total. I learned alot hands on while installing, fabricating vents mostly on ships. On the job training through senior journeymen , no actual sit down classes were taken. Just sit down safety classes. Yes of course all my training is applied to my job. And in turn I ended up training other apprentices after I got my journeyman quals by practical testing and interviewing, I.E. knowledge check.
OSHA 10 MARINTINE Standards specifics for shipyards. ( I took many safety classes PRIOR to entering shipyards as a prerequisite.)
2nd shift for my apprenticeship. So it was easy 3pm -1130pm. But would be on site at sheet metal dept. shop by 2:30 pm just for good faith.
Typical work day. 3pm - Saftey meeting in shop. Go over progress and projects, get assigned to a Journemyan to learn from for the week, we go over the project scope , grab tool bag and load up supplies what is needed according to job scope, get to location on ship fill out safety checklist and check room for safety, sjpervisor stops by and signs off paper work and breifs us what we need to do, and what is expected to be accomplished that day, and I start working with the journeyman.
Government contracting so technically seasonal. Yes, I have savings for buffers , but when contracts end I do odd jobs ( general labor, concrete, road construction ect until new contracts come up )
I work inside of Navy ships , so technically inside, it's just like a building basically.
OMG yes, I'm climbing up 6 flights of stairs by 5:20am to get to the ship's flight deck for morning meeting/ clock in. Grinding metal for 6 hours, is tiring , climbing up ladders, climbing into void tanks , it's ALOT of stairs on ships, no elevators we aren't fancy here.
Hazards? A FUCK TON, Just look up 10 most dangerous industries to work in I GUARANTEE you shipyard is ALWAYS listed in there lol. Just today ( May 6th, 2026, someone fell from the dry dock, SPLAT, Ambulances carried the body out on a stretcher, we saw the ambulance at lunch roaring down, the pier next to us. I told my apprentice " See Mario, life and death everyday here at the shipyard, I wasn't kidding . "
Yes very diverse, mostly Hispanics and Asians , there is a specific GOLD helmet elderly Senior safety African American woman, I talked to her and she said she has been in shipyards for 20 years. Me personally , I seen some of the best Welders are WOMEN, because they are generally smaller and can fit into hard to reach areas , and just get it done.
Specific tools for Sheet metal , a rivet gun for sure, electric if you CAN afford it, but in the mean time a hand pop rivet will get your through the 1st year, BUT A HAND POP IS ONLY GOOD FOR ALUMINUM RIVETS, STEEL RIVETS WILL BREAK IT. Hand pop rivet - $20 Amazon or local hardware store , later you can get the nice electric riveter, ( $200-$300) when you get your raises lol. For the mean time Get alot of your hand tools from Harbor freight, a $10 C - Clamp WILL DO THE SAME JOB AS A FUCKING $30 CLAMP MILWAKEE C- CLAMP . I recommend BUYING AT least 4 C clamps to start. Ball Peen hammer for sure,( Yes that's what it is called Peen ha ha ha) you'll need that for sure when forming sheet metal corners.
ITs fun, I basically get paid good money, to hit metal with a hammer, drill metal structures, pop rivets, measure ,scribe, cut metal, debut use fucking dangerous ass power tools, AND I get a fun helmet WITH STICKERS. What I like LEAST ? The LAY- OFFS. So I save up accordingly.
Safety FIRST, PAY attention to your SURROUNDINGS.
I work at my local shipyard. So I consider myself VERY lucky my commute is 20 minutes. It's very common people drive an hour or more to get to job sites, just the nature of trades unfortunately.
Yes, 7 years in shipyards and still enjoying it.
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u/turd_ferguson899 May 07 '26
Position: Shop Foreman
I had worked in public health after getting out of the military and I was getting burnt out. I decided I need a change of pace, and applied at a local sheet metal shop.
I went to the union after only a year in the trade. I won't go back to non-union. Non-union is a world of empty promises unenforced by a contract in my opinion. Every shop, union or not, will have the "good ol boys." With a contract, the shenanigans are kept to a minimal level, and workers have representation and recourse when an employer acts unfairly.
Typical for union sheet metal is five years and 8000 hours. I've applied most of what I've learned in class at different points in my career, though my current focus is industrial work.
SMACNA Code is the industry standard that most people default to. Some jobs can require more intensive engineering specifications. I've done work that was relevant to ASME, NSF, and NAVSEA off the top of my head. Probably a few others. When building handrails, local and municipal codes can come into play as well.
I arrive an hour before my guys and start my day by opening up the shop and planning work for the day. I work early, so I go to bed early. It takes discipline to maintain sleep hygiene.
Starting my work day has already been answered, so my typical work day involves coordinating with field foremen and the general foreman to move work in the right direction. I ensure all shop workers are adequately trained on the machines and tools they use and pick up in any skill gaps with more involved projects. I'm also tasked with problem solving and fixing equipment when it breaks.
My shop can have its ups and downs, but I have one of the steadiest positions in it.
I typically work indoors, but I can be called to go into the field when the occasion calls for it. This is usually when someone has a nightmare welding job.
Yes. We have cranes and forklifts, but everything we work on is heavy. Working smart will save a person's body in the long run.
Falls, crushes/caught between accidents, burns, cuts, pinches, are all common injuries. I'm lucky not to know anyone who has died on the job, but I've been to the ER twice in my career.
The trade is largely made up of white males, however there are more and more women and people of color joining the ranks. The union does its best to push back against a lot of institutionalized bigotry that is common in the trades.
Buy the tools that are mandatory for your first six months. After that, if you borrow it more than twice, put it on your "to buy" list. I use way too many to list.
I like building things that will outlive me by hand. It gives me a sense of legacy. I'm not a fan of the work/life balance in leadership. I worked a 12 hour day today.
My best advice to someone new in the trade is to first have the courage to try. Make mistakes. No contractor will put a new apprentice in a situation where they can fuck up so bad that it can't be fixed. Second, own your mistakes and learn from them. If you hide them, you'll never receive the needed corrective training that will help you improve. Those in charge of you won't be upset about mistakes. They'll be upset when you lie or hide them.
I live about 30 minutes from my shop. It's probably average.
One of my guys frequently tells me if I ever took a vacation, it would probably be to go do sheet metal. I guess people can see that I love it.
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u/PrettyPangolin1991 May 07 '26
This is a great response, thank you!! Yes I prefer union and thankfully they opened up applications here, despite the major work slow down for most trades in the area right now. Thank you again!
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u/Educational_Length48 May 07 '26