From Bid Drawings to Installation: Third-Year Sheet Metal Apprentices Build Real-World Skills

Our third-year Sheet Metal apprentices are taking on an overhead group project that simulates the full scope of a field installation. Starting with a bid drawing, students remove existing fittings, fabricate replacements, and install their completed work—connecting drawing interpretation and shop fabrication with hands-on installation.

The project also includes preparing as-built drawings and a cost breakdown, helping apprentices understand how to document completed work and account for project costs. Each group must coordinate with other teams to plan the installation, strengthening the communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills needed on a busy jobsite.

By bringing these responsibilities together in one project, our program prepares apprentices to approach sheet metal work with precision, productivity, and an understanding of how their work fits into the overall job.