Sheet metal workers
Career Overview
Sheet metal workers fabricate, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products.
Sheet metal workers lay out, measure and mark sheet metal. They work with computerized equipment to bend, straighten or cut sheet metal. They also weld sheet metal parts and polish seams, joints and rough surfaces. People in this career often work on heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and roofing for restaurants, kitchens, marine installations, hospital equipment as well as other fields. They may build and install eavestroughs, air and heat ducts, roof decking and more. Sheet metal workers may specialize in on-site or in-shop manufacturing of sheet metal products or they may focus on servicing and maintaining installed systems and equipment.
Sheet metal workers are employed by sheet metal fabrication shops, sheet metal products manufacturing companies, sheet metal work contractors and areas in this industry. People in this career work with their hands and with a range of tools. They need to have good math skills, spatial perception and pay attention to detail. They must also be able to read and interpret drawings as well as specification sheets.
Duties
In general, sheet metal workers:
- Read engineering and architectural drawings, sketches and work specifications to be done, as well as lay out, measure and mark sheet metal to match the drawings or templates
- Develop patterns for sheet metal using computer-assisted design and drafting (CAD) software
- Operate light metalworking machines such as shears, brakes, punches and drill presses, including computer numerical control (CNC) equipment to cut, bend, punch, drill, shape or straighten sheet metal
- Operate laser or plasma cutting equipment to cut sheet metal
- Install and use rigging and hoisting equipment
- Fit and join sheet metal parts using riveting, welding, soldering as well as similar equipment to make products such as ventilation shafts, exhaust hoods, eavestroughs, partition frames, air and heat ducts, material handling systems, roof decking and sheet metal buildings
- Install sheet metal products according to specifications and building codes
- Grind and buff seams, joints and rough surfaces
- Inspect product quality and installation to make sure specifications are followed
In addition, they may:
- Work in a shop to build or onsite to install sheet metal products, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment (HVAC), metal wall and roofing panels, and commercial kitchen ventilation
- Service/maintain installed equipment and systems
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
2,815% Employed Full Time
65%Sheet metal workers typically work 40 hours per week, but may need to work overtime to meet deadlines.
Work is done indoors and outdoors. It can take place in shops, homes, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. Indoor work includes installing duct systems and kitchen equipment. Outdoor work includes installing siding, roofing and gutters in all kinds of weather.
Sheet metal workers who do installation work have to bend, lift, stand, climb and squat, sometimes in small spaces or in uncomfortable positions. Often, people in this job lift heavy materials and equipment. Workers often use ladders and scaffolding and must be comfortable working from heights.
Sheet metal workers are trained to follow safety regulations and wear safety equipment to prevent injuries such as cuts from metal and burns from soldering and welding.
Parts of the job have been computerized and this technology has reduced the physical demands for workers. There is a growing need for sheet metal workers to have a good understanding of technology and computer skills since more companies have CNC (computer numerical control) cutting machines.
Career Pathways
With experience and additional training, sheet metal workers can move into senior or supervisory positions.
Some experienced sheet metal workers may choose to start their own businesses.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Job Titles
Education, Training and Skills
Completion of Grade 10 is required, and completion of Grade 12 is preferred. Other training and requirements may include:
- Completion of an apprenticeship program (or a combination of several years of work experience and some college or industry courses in sheet metal work)
- Trade certification is not currently required to be a sheet metal worker in B.C., but workers with certification will likely have more job opportunities. Those who wish to be certified must complete a four-year apprenticeship program. (The B.C. government is introducing skilled trades certification beginning with a total of 10 trades, including sheet metal workers. Certification will be implemented in phases between 2022 and 2024. Learn more about skilled trades certification)
Apprenticeship programs
Work experience and in-class instruction are part of apprenticeship programs. Some part-time and online programs may be available. To apprentice, workers must be sponsored by an employer. A person who successfully completes an apprenticeship program and the final certification exam earns a Certificate of Qualification. Workers with significant experience in the trade may be able to challenge the certification exam to earn the Certificate of Qualification without completing a formal apprenticeship. For more information on earning a Certificate of Qualification, visit SkilledTradesBC.
To work in other provinces
Sheet metal workers may need Red Seal certification to work in other provinces. This can be earned by passing an exam and proving significant work experience.
Workers coming to B.C.
Sheet metal workers who are certified by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information, such as a letter of good standing, references or a criminal record check.
Workers who trained outside of Canada
Sheet metal workers who trained outside of Canada and have never received certification from a Canadian jurisdiction will likely need a full assessment. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants. Contact SkilledTradesBC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Sheet Metal Related
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Motivating, developing and directing people as they work, and identifying the best people for the job.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
2,815Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 65 | 2.3% |
| Kootenay | 50 | 1.8% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,705 | 60.6% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 35 | 1.2% |
| Northeast | 20 | 0.7% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 395 | 14.0% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 540 | 19.2% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)
600Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 10 | 1.2% |
| Kootenay | 0 | -1.6% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 310 | 0.2% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 10 | 2.6% |
| Northeast | 0 | 1.1% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 130 | 1.3% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 130 | 0.5% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2023-2033) |
|---|---|
| Construction | 460 |
| Manufacturing | 90 |
| Wholesale Trade | 20 |
| Transportation And Warehousing | 20 |
| Professional, Scientific And Technical Services | 0 |
Insights from Industry
Some sheet metal workers rely on high-rise residential building activity to generate business. Government funding for capital projects has also been an important source of construction employment.
There is a growing demand for sheet metal workers, especially in large urban areas. Sheet metal workers with specialized skills in welding are expected to have an advantage in finding work. Also, those who continue to upgrade their knowledge and skills—especially with technology and new techniques—are often more in demand.
While this field has historically been male-dominated, there are now a growing number of sheet metal workers who identify as female.
Resources
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BC Building Tradeswww.bcbuildingtrades.org
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British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA)www.bccassn.com
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British Columbia Sheet Metal Association (SMACNA-BC)www.smacna-bc.org
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Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB)www.cwbgroup.org
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Careers in Constructionwww.careersinconstruction.ca
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Red Seal Programwww.red-seal.ca/eng/w.2lc.4m.2.shtml
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Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union 280www.smw280.org
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Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP)www.stepbc.ca
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SkilledTradesBCwww.itabc.ca
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Small Business BCsmallbusinessbc.ca
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SMART, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workerssmart-union.org
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Trades Training BC – Jobs Boardwww.tradestrainingbc.ca/jobs
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United Steelworkers (USW)www.usw.ca
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Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA)vrca.ca
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WorkBC Trades Trainingwww.workbc.ca/trades
Career Videos
Watch the video below to learn what a typical day is like for a sheet metal worker.
Watch the video below to learn what a typical day is like for a sheet metal worker.
