APPLY TO GET STARTED TODAY
Step One
Complete the application by clicking the button below. Once your application is processed, we will contact you with upcoming ASVAB (entrance exam) dates at our facility. All applicants who pass the ASVAB with an AFQT score of 40 or higher are eligible for employment with a signatory contractor.
Step Two
Update your resume and solicited work with one of our signatory contractors. This means you find employment the employment does not find you. If hired you will need to work hard as a pre-apprentice and demonstrate your commitment, dependability and work ethic.
Step Three
Based on performance, a contractor may sponsor you into the formal Sheet Metal Training Program as an apprentice. Advancement to apprentice status is merit-based and your effort drives the progress.
Explore Career Paths
Choose your specialty. Master your craft. Secure your future.
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![Three technicians working on an electrical or HVAC unit wearing protective gear]()
Commercial HVAC Systems
Union HVAC technicians install and service heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in commercial and industrial buildings, helping deliver safe, comfortable air and improve overall air quality.
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Welding
Welding is a key method for permanently joining metal using heat to create strong, lasting bonds. Welders work on everything from large industrial projects to custom fabrications across industries like construction, manufacturing, and energy. With a wide range of techniques and processes, welding is a versatile and in-demand skill.
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Residential HVAC
Residential HVAC technicians install, service, and maintain heating and cooling systems in homes, handling new construction, upgrades, and troubleshooting. Most work is hands-on in the field.
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![A man with a beard wearing a brown beanie smiling while working on an HVAC]()
Testing, Adjusting, & Balancing (TAB)
Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) ensures HVAC systems deliver air and water efficiently, quietly, and safely. TAB technicians use math and problem-solving skills to test, verify, and optimize system performance.
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Architectural Sheet Metal
In architectural sheet metal, you’ll shape metal into functional and visually striking elements for modern buildings. Gain a foundation in architectural principles while working in a shop or on construction sites alongside other skilled trade professionals.
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Detailer
Certified detailers coordinate between trades on commercial HVAC projects, creating precise 3D models from plans and field measurements using BIM tools like Revit. While primarily office-based, they also visit job sites to collaborate with project teams and ensure accuracy and efficiency.
SMTC graduates receive a lifetime of benefits & guaranteed wage increases
You’re not just learning a trade, you’re joining a network that invests in your success for life.
With union support, you earn guaranteed wage increases, full benefits, a pension, and a voice on the job. Your union has your back and advocates for you.
Your journeyperson status, certifications, and earned benefits stay with you, even if you move to a different union employer.
Healthcare Coverage
Active Local 104 members receive medical coverage for themselves and their families as part of their membership.
Lifetime Pension
Retire with Dignity
Local 104 members build both a pension and a 401(k), providing a strong and reliable retirement. A pension offers guaranteed monthly income, giving you financial security and the ability to retire with dignity.
Guaranteed Wage Growth
In return for your hard work, dedication, and craftsmanship, Local 104 and its signatory contractors provide strong wages that support building a family and a secure, rewarding life. Apprentices earn increases as they progress through the program
College Credit
SMTC is a state-recognized academic program. Through our partnership with the Los Rios Community College District, apprentices have the opportunity to take general education courses and complete an Associate of Arts (AA) degree.
I’m proud to be part of a trade that builds essential systems with skill, accuracy, and pride. This apprenticeship didn’t just teach me a trade—it gave me a career and a future.
Going through the Sheet Metal Fabrication apprenticeship program was an incredible experience that completely shaped my career. Over five years, I learned how to read blueprints, operate fabrication equipment, and create precise ductwork and metal components that meet real jobsite demands. The training was challenging but rewarding. We didn’t just learn how to work with metal—we learned how to think like fabricators. From layout to installation, every step was hands-on and backed by knowledgeable instructors who truly wanted to see us succeed.
How it works
Watch how your skills and earning potential grow throughout our apprenticeship program
Step 1
Prove You're Ready
The ASVAB serves as our entrance exam. Applicants must achieve an AFQT score of 40 or higher to qualify for the apprenticeship. We offer the ASVAB once a month on the second Thursday at no cost
After your application is processed, we will contact you with the next available test date and time.
We will also accept an ASVAB score from another facility or as a veteran from the military. Provide documentation along with the High School diploma or GED.
Start the Application
Step 2
Get hired by a union contractor as a pre-apprentice
All applicants who pass the ASVAB with an AFQT score of 40 or higher are eligible for employment with one of our union signatory contractors.
The next step is to update your resume and solicited work with one of our signatory contractors. This means you find employment the employment does not find you.
Step 3
Become a pre-apprentice
If hired you will need to work hard as a pre-apprentice and demonstrate your commitment, dependability and work ethic.
Then based on performance, a contractor may sponsor you into the formal Sheet Metal Training Program as an apprentice.
Advancement to apprentice status is merit-based and your effort drives the progress.
Step 4
Starting your apprenticeship career
New apprentices begin training in the fall. Each apprentice is required to complete 200 hours of training per year, which is structured as five 40-hour weeks. During these weeks, apprentices take time away from work to participate in hands-on training. Each training week focuses on developing specific skills that enhance their abilities, productivity, and overall versatility in the trade.
Start a rewarding career in Sheet Metal Work, one of the most in-demand career fields in 2025. Get paid while you learn, guaranteed salary when you graduate, and become part of a skilled workforce that builds the infrastructure our communities depend on.
the difference between traditional college and joining the trades
SMW 104 Graduates
(Sacramento Region)
Starting Salary
$110K
Program Length: 5 years
$$$ Get paid while you learn
$$$ Tuition paid through membership
$$$ Pay Increases with completion of training periods
$$$ ZERO student debt
$$$ Recession-resistant career
$$$ Comprehensive health and dental coverage for your entire family.
$$$ 401(k) and Pension plan for a secure retirement.
✔ Hands-on, practical training
✔ College credits included
✔ Clear advancement path
*Based on 2000 working hours per year
traditional
college Graduates
Starting salary
$60K
Program Length: 4+ years
$$$ High tuition and fees
$$$ Average 30K Student loan debt
$$$ No post-graduate job guarantees
❌ Limited workplace protections
❌ Mostly theoretical learning
❌ 4+ years before earning
❌ Competitive job market
❌ Uncertain career prospects
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Start Your Apprenticeship
Skip the debt.
Start earning day one.
Build a career that can't be outsourced.
Our 5-year apprenticeship programs put you on the fast track to financial independence while college graduates are still paying off loans.
What you need to apply
The skilled trades offer a wide range of career paths, including roles such as installers, service technicians, fabricators, detailers, foremen, project managers, estimators, and even business owners. This industry is essential to our economy and infrastructure and will always be in demand, providing a stable and reliable career.
The trades are open to individuals of all genders and backgrounds, creating opportunities for anyone willing to learn and work hard. The training you receive through this apprenticeship is practical and transferable, giving you skills that stay with you throughout your career and can be applied wherever your path leads.
Drivers License / Federal ID
High school diploma / G.E.D.
Social Security Number
Click the button below to get started with your application. You’ll get an update on your application status within 48-hours.