Sheet Metal Work

What is sheet metal work? 

Workers in this field fabricate and install a wide variety of construction related items using sheet metal or plastic materials components. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVAC ), that control the temperature, humidity and total air quality in residential, commercial, industrial and other buildings by precisely following blueprints, design specifications and manufacturers’ instructions. A Sheet Metal worker requires highly specialized and up to date skills to accomplish the various tasks involved in the trade. 

In Sheet metal, technicians work with a variety of precision measuring tools to manipulate conditions such as pressures in air flow in duct systems. Voltmeters, pressure gauges, manometers and other testing devices are used in analyzing system performance. When servicing equipment, they must use extreme care in working with the different components of the HVAC Systems because of some of the intricate systems. 

Sheet metal workers perform some or all of the following duties: 

HOW TO JOIN THE FIELD  

Completion of secondary school is usually required. 

Completion of a three-to-five-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in sheet metal working is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. 

Trade certification is compulsory in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories. 

Interprovincial trade certification (Red Seal) is also available to qualified sheet metal workers. 

INDIGENOUS AND REMOTE CONSIDERATIONS  

Indigenous and remote communities may not have many people who work in this trade, so there likely wouldn’t be too much choice on jobs in this field. In small, fly-in communities, there may be only one or two companies to work for while staying in their home community. This may mean someone pursuing this trade will be looking at relocation or travelling to nearby communities.  

With math literacy in the north being lower than in other places, northern and remote students may need extra support in order to pass tests and get their red seal. 

DISABILITY CONSIDERATIONS 

With this job being heavy manual labour, it may not be possible for someone with a severe physical disability. Accommodations may be necessary for someone with a learning disability. 

Sheet Metal Work and the Skills for Success Program

The top three essential skills for this career path are:

• Reading
• Numeracy 
• Problem Solving 

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