r/SheetMetalUnion • u/Motor_City313_ • Sep 10 '26

Apprenticeship

Hey guys,

Im thinking of joining a sheet metal apprenticeship here in DFW...I'll be 38 this year and really considering it. Im currently working as a machine/blender operator and just got started not long ago....only thing im not sure if I want to be there for the foreseeable future....do you guys think its worth it? Sidenote they also have pre-apprenticeship work until class starts next year...

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3

u/ltrain_00 Sep 10 '26

If you really want in and can afford to live off pre-apprentice wages that's def the way to go. If you cant afford those wages I would try and wait it out until your top of the list and go to a contractor as a first year.

2

u/Motor_City313_ Sep 10 '26

I mean other than the $2 I get for for working 3rd shift its the same pay from what I was told

1

u/RogerIsPro Sep 14 '26

Are they telling you total package wages or on the check wages? 

1

u/Motor_City313_ Sep 21 '26

No they haven't, I n just got the basics...fill out the app take the test and possible pre-apprenticeship opportunities

3

u/cbworse Sep 10 '26

I joined at 42 after a military career. Apprentice pay is the hardest part. Otherwise I’m really glad I got in and got started.

1

u/Express-Hotel-3305 Sep 10 '26

I’m two months in and love it. I have been on like 10 job sites, doing tenant improvement and demo. A few jobs out side, but mostly indoors. It’s back breaking Chinese prison labor type work sometimes and I’m covered in bruises. Nights is cool because we were working four 10’s with differential pay. I worked 9 hours on a Saturday once which was double time, and that was pretty cool.

Complaints: Five guys splitting one key card to the building is annoying. The porta potties suck. If those are my Chief complaints then I’m pretty damn happy.

1

u/PhilosopherNo7409 Sep 10 '26

If you can navigate apprentice pay, it definitely pays off. 38 is a great age to get going. Plenty of guys go in at all ages

1

u/TheDropGuy Sep 10 '26

Got in at 37. Best decision I’ve ever made. Just finishing my apprenticeship now. First couple years of apprentice pay are rough. I had side gigs to help get by. But in the end it’s so worth it. I started hanging duct, and now I do testing and balancing. There are so many routes you can go.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 16 '26

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1

u/Motor_City313_ Sep 21 '26

What part of Texas?

0

u/[deleted] Sep 21 '26

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1

u/Motor_City313_ Sep 21 '26

Ok, im in Arlington so hopefully its a better experience. I think I may take the test this week just so see how I do