Sheet Metal 

Worker

Sheet metal workers are builders who excel at working with many ideas. These traits suit sheet metal, as it’s a durable, flexible material that’s all around us—in roofs, road signs, vehicle parts, and more.

As a Sheet Metal Worker, you’ll get to create, assemble and install all kinds of different sheet metal products. Your work will often require collaboration, and it may focus on fabrication or installation.  

Either way, it’ll require comfort with physical work, as you build components and put them together. It’ll also require working with your hands, and solid math skills as you build. 

What You'll Learn

  • How to read engineering and architectural drawings and sketches
  • How to lay out, measure and mark sheet metal according to drawings or templates
  • How to develop patterns for sheet metal using design and drafting (CAD) software
  • How to operate computerized laser or plasma-cutting equipment
  • How to fit and join sheet metal parts, and grind and buff seams, joints and surfaces 

Key Job Skills

  • Layout and development patterns
  • Fabricating
  • Air handling and industrial system installation
  • Architectural and specialty component installation
  • Service system maintenance 

Technical Training

To get certified, you will need to sign up for technical training at an approved training provider in addition to on-the-job training. 

Visit Trades Training BC and EducationPlannerBC for a comprehensive list of what programs are available in your trade at public and non-public schools. 

For a list of all approved non-public training providers, visit this page.

Technical Training 32 weeks over 4 years
Work-Based Training
6240 HOURS
General Skills
Athletic Collaborative Mathematical Precise Tactile

Program Updates:

  • January 2023: For information regarding Year 4 of transition, please see the Transition Update or the Transition Plan for more details. Apprentices who have completed Current Level 2 (CL2) or Current Level 3 (CL3) should contact their Apprenticeship Advisor to discuss options for addressing gaps in their training before taking their next level of technical training.

  • January 2019: Program Update (Cross-program credits)

  • April 2018: OPSN-2018-011 (Harmonization)

  • OPSN Archives

 

Skilled Trades Certification Updates:

Sheet Metal Worker is a Skilled Trades Certification trade, also known as a compulsory trade, in British Columbia. This means that to work in this trade, you must be registered as an apprentice, be a certified journeyperson, or have applied as a Trade Qualifier or Uncertified Experienced Worker.

Program Information and Resources

Exam Information and Resources

Find exam-related information and resources under each menu item below.

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Challenge the Trade

If you have significant work experience in a trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may apply to challenge the certification. Learn more about How to Challenge a Skilled Trade.