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Is sheet metal a good career?

One of the Fastest-Growing Industries. If you're looking to join one of the fastest-growing industries, look no further than sheet metal. Employment of sheet metal workers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Working in sheet metal may be the dream career you’ve been searching for. Take it from the professionals of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) who put in the hard work, aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and proudly put their creative minds to work while watching their projects come to life. To them, a sheet metal career means so much more than ‘just a job.’ From the HVAC systems that make the temperature in your homes comfortable; to safe healthcare, commercial and industry ventilation systems; to the striking exteriors of stadiums and office buildings, the finished products produced by career sheet metal workers make a difference in the daily lives of all Americans. Whether you have a degree or are looking for on-the-job training, the sheet metal industry has plenty of opportunities to succeed. Here are the top five reasons to consider a life-long career in sheet metal:

1. Diverse Career Paths So You Can Build Your Own Career

The sheet metal industry provides unique opportunities to steer your own path and build a rewarding career. Whether you are interested in career paths for skilled labor or management positions, or you wish to pursue work across a specific sector (i.e. architectural, industrial, commercial or residential), sheet metal has something for everyone.

2. Building Skills Without Debt

You don’t need a traditional four-year degree and piles of debt to earn a great living. In the sheet metal industry, you can opt for apprenticeship programs that allow you to earn while you learn. Taking part in a training program means you can earn up to $275,000 in wages over the course of your apprenticeship training while also gaining valuable experience.

3. Essential Work that Meets Essential Needs

Essential work has a different meaning in the time of COVID-19, and many sheet metal workers have met the criteria of being essential across industries. Did you know that HVAC and air balancing professionals are responsible for air quality and safety of patients and healthcare providers at many hospitals and medical facilities? Or that sheet metal has been used to create portable sinks to allow safe handwashing and social distancing on job sites? Innovation is key.

4. Cool Projects That Challenge Your Creativity

Not only do sheet metal workers get to channel creativity into design, prefabrication and construction, they can be proud of and show off their work, too. Oftentimes, you’ll hear sheet metal workers say, “I built that!” with such joy. Example sheet metal projects include Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. and more.

5. One of the Fastest-Growing Industries

If you’re looking to join one of the fastest-growing industries, look no further than sheet metal. Employment of sheet metal workers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are many reasons to pursue work within the sheet metal industry. At its core, sheet metal is a highly desirable trade playing a major role in the world around us through manufacturing and construction. What are you waiting for? Contact a local training center today.

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Is sheet metal a hard trade?

Generally, sheet metal workers fabricate and install metal products using saws, lasers, shears, presses and computers. This sort of rigorous labor includes a high risk of illness and injury. "There are hundreds of hours of safety training, including 30 hours of Occupational Safety and [Health] Administration training.

Median Salary $51,370 Unemployment Rate 10.1% Number of Jobs 4,800

Sheet metal workers ensure you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer by making, assembling or servicing the heating and cooling equipment in buildings. These tradespeople may specialize in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (also known as HVAC), or architectural, industrial and service sheet metal work. HVAC workers fabricate and install fans and ducts or air handling units. Architectural sheet metal workers install panels and siding to protect and preserve structures or buildings. Industrial sheet metal workers spend their days in paper or industrial mills working with heavier metals and welding, or in commercial kitchens creating and installing countertops, vent hoods and handrails. Service sheet metal workers focus on testing, adjusting and balancing existing systems. Of all the sheet metal specialties, "service sheet metal workers are the least construction-related and more technical," says Doug Haase, an instructor at the Sheet Metal Institute in Portland, Oregon, and a former sheet metal worker. Generally, sheet metal workers fabricate and install metal products using saws, lasers, shears, presses and computers. This sort of rigorous labor includes a high risk of illness and injury. "There are hundreds of hours of safety training, including 30 hours of Occupational Safety and [Health] Administration training. Contractors don't want to hurt people," Haase says. Sheet metal workers must have a strong understanding of how to build things, such as air ducts, siding and panels, and install them. They should also have solid critical-thinking and math skills, and a strong work ethic. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.6 percent employment growth for sheet metal workers between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 4,800 jobs should open up.

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