Program Overview
Program Details
Your Learning Experience
As a student with the Sheet Metal Worker program, you’ll learn the skills to get your career going and your hands working. At Fanshawe and during your apprenticeship, you’ll learn to work with punches and drill presses, sheers and brakes.
This program combines technical training with in-class learning. The apprenticeship training component is where students mix workplace-based training under the direction of an experienced sheet metal worker with shorter lengths of classroom or online training. Students will work with the latest laser or plasma-cutting equipment, under the guidance of professionals who will provide valuable information regarding employment within this field. Additionally, work with other tradespeople to build commercial, industrial and residential buildings or to customize equipment and products.
When you graduate, you’ll know how to fabricate, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products such as heating, cooling and ventilation shafts, eavestroughs and sheet metal buildings. Graduates will have metalworking skills and confidence in the workplace through industry training. Enter the job market with work experience and be prepared to find work with construction firms, heating and cooling companies and parts manufacturers.
This apprenticeship program can take up to five years to complete, has high earning potential and consists of 8,280 hours of on-the-job training/work experience with 720 hours of in-class training by skilled, licensed journeypersons.
Your in-class training will cover:
- applied safety procedures
- fabricating products for shop and field
- lay-out and drafting
- using and maintaining hand and power tools and equipment
- reading, interpreting and producing drawings
Your on-the-job training will teach you how to:
- protect yourself and others
- use and maintain hand/power tools and equipment
- read, interpret and produce drawings
- draft and lay-out
- set up and operate shop equipment
Admissions
This is an apprenticeship program. You cannot apply to this program through ontariocolleges.ca. Applicants need a sponsor/employer. Your sponsor/employer must register you with:
Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
Apprenticeship/Client Services
72-1200 Commissioners Road East
London, Ontario, N5Z 4R3
519-675-7788
MLITSD is responsible for scheduling your in-school training at Fanshawe College.
Career Information
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Sheet Metal Apprentice (Block Release) program will find work with construction firms, heating and cooling companies and parts manufacturers. Graduates will work with other tradespeople to build commercial, industrial and residential buildings or to customize equipment and products.
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduate employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Sheet Metal Apprentice program:
Sheet Metal Journeyperson
Install rooftop units, make-up air units, heat/energy recovery ventilators, furnaces, air conditioning systems, exhaust and filtration systems.
Sheet Metal Mechanic
Fabricate, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products and equipment such as ducts, control boxes and drainpipes.
Sheet Metal Apprentice
Install commercial and industrial sheet metal ductwork and HVAC systems.
Learning Outcomes
Explore our vibrant campuses and discover what makes Fanshawe unique. Get a firsthand look at classrooms, labs, student spaces, and residence halls, and connect with faculty, staff, and current students. Whether you're interested in learning more about academic programs, student services, or extracurricular activities, this is your chance to experience campus life up close. Don't miss the opportunity to see how we can help you achieve your academic and career goals!
International Admission Equivalencies
Courses
Level 1 - Basic | ||||
SHMT-1019 | Fabricates for Shop & Field | 3.5 | ||
This course focuses on the best practices for the shop fabrication and installation of various sheet metal objects by the sheet metal apprentice. This includes the layout, cutting, bending, forming and rolling of sheet metal to make products within specific criteria, tolerances and measurements. The students will also study the different metals and materials used by the sheet metal worker in both the shop and the field. They will also learn how to solder sheet metal fittings and objects properly in accordance with best practices. They will study the various edges, seams and duct connections that can be used to fabricate various sheet metal items and learn how to best decide which ones to use depending on the situation. Also, the students will examine the safe practices of rigging and hoisting of loads in the shop and field. | ||||
SHMT-1020 | Hand/Power Tools & Shop Equipment | 2.5 | ||
Apprentices will learn about the various hand and power tools used in both the sheet metal shop and in field installations, specifically the selection, proper use and specific safety measures required. They will also study the proper selection, setup and safe use of equipment and machines used in the sheet metal shop to fabricate various sheet metal items. Classroom learning will be reinforced with the students use of many of the tools and machines discussed by fabricating sheet metal items in the shop to meet specific tolerances and requirements. | ||||
SHMT-1021 | Lay-out & Drafting 1 | 4.5 | ||
Level 1 Lay-out and Drafting Equipment and Applied Geometry This course will enable the students to gain an understanding of the purpose, construction and operating principles of developing fittings and products, using parallel line, radial line and triangulation. The apprentice will have demonstrated the ability to develop and cut patterns accurately, for fittings, employing the parallel line, radial line and triangulation method, to the tolerances required by drawings and specifications. | ||||
SHMT-1022 | Read, Interpret & Produce Drawings | 2 | ||
This course will focus on topics such as reading drawings and specifications to determine the work to be performed; and producing free-hand sketches and drawings to illustrate to others the work to be performed. | ||||
WELD-1053 | Weld & Cut 1 | 1.5 | ||
The apprentice will have demonstrated the ability to set up and operate oxy-fuel cutting equipment and plasma arc cutting equipment. The apprentice will have demonstrated the ability to weld using shielded metal arc welding(S.M.A.W) and gas metal arc welding(G.M.A.W) equipment. |