The Training Program for Local 19 instructs apprentices in the skills they need to work in today's construction industry. The types of jobs they are training for include heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC); sheet metal fabrication; and architectural metal installation, including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc. Safety and Health Training are major components of these programs.
The programs take place in some of the most modern facilities for training, including the nationally recognized Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Lab; a Service Room that provides hands-on instruction on almost every type of HVAC equipment available; state-of-the-art Cleanrooms for the most advanced ventilation training possible; and a testing facility accredited by the International Training Institute (iTi) and the American Welding Society. The program is comprehensive and requires time, commitment and attention. The courses apprentices take are demanding and require repetition, practice and professional instruction. |
Time
Qualified apprentice sheet metal workers take part in a four-year-program that ultimately requires 864 hours of classroom instruction before graduation. Not all the instruction will be done in the classroom. A registered apprentice with Local 19 receives on-the-job training with cooperating employers in the area. Most of the apprentice training is done on weekdays, although some classes are held at night or on weekends.
Qualified apprentice sheet metal workers take part in a four-year-program that ultimately requires 864 hours of classroom instruction before graduation. Not all the instruction will be done in the classroom. A registered apprentice with Local 19 receives on-the-job training with cooperating employers in the area. Most of the apprentice training is done on weekdays, although some classes are held at night or on weekends.
Tuition
Since the union and employers make a big commitment to registered apprentices, apprentices are required to reciprocate by signing a commitment to repay their indebtedness. This repayment is done over time. The International Training Institute stipulates that, during each year of an apprenticeship, a predetermined cost of training will be loaned to the apprentice. It will be paid back over a period of ten years, when the member works for cooperating employers that make contributions to the International Training Institute and the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Fund.
Since the union and employers make a big commitment to registered apprentices, apprentices are required to reciprocate by signing a commitment to repay their indebtedness. This repayment is done over time. The International Training Institute stipulates that, during each year of an apprenticeship, a predetermined cost of training will be loaned to the apprentice. It will be paid back over a period of ten years, when the member works for cooperating employers that make contributions to the International Training Institute and the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Fund.
Wages
Qualified registered apprentices are paid for work hours and some training hours. In effect, apprentices are paid to learn.
Qualified registered apprentices are paid for work hours and some training hours. In effect, apprentices are paid to learn.

The Facility
Classes are held in the Sheet Metal Workers' Training Center, a building erected in 1986 and designed specifically for training and instructing apprentice and journeyperson sheet metal workers. The building is a two-story structure enclosing 27,768 sq. ft. of classroom, shop, lab, and office space. It offers a variety of instructional settings, some of which are unique to the region and the industry:
Classes are held in the Sheet Metal Workers' Training Center, a building erected in 1986 and designed specifically for training and instructing apprentice and journeyperson sheet metal workers. The building is a two-story structure enclosing 27,768 sq. ft. of classroom, shop, lab, and office space. It offers a variety of instructional settings, some of which are unique to the region and the industry:
- Sketching and Layout Room
- HVAC Service Training Room
- Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Lab
- Fabrication Shop
- Welding Shop
- Computer Room (CAD lab)
- Architectural Metal Mockups
- Cleanrooms:
- Class 100
- Class 1,000
- Class 10,000
- Orbital Welding Lab
Instructors
The Training Center is staffed by a full-time coordinator, three full-time apprentice instructors, and 25 apprentice and journeyperson instructors for evening classes. Through the International Training Institute, many of our instructors have undergone extensive training at Ohio State University.
The Training Center is staffed by a full-time coordinator, three full-time apprentice instructors, and 25 apprentice and journeyperson instructors for evening classes. Through the International Training Institute, many of our instructors have undergone extensive training at Ohio State University.
Advanced Training
Registered apprentices who complete their training after four years advance to journeyperson classification and earn greater responsibility and salary. Journeypersons are offered the opportunity to enhance their skills through evening and weekend classes, while maintaining a full-time job. Journeypersons also have the opportunity to work towards a college degree through the Training Center.
Registered apprentices who complete their training after four years advance to journeyperson classification and earn greater responsibility and salary. Journeypersons are offered the opportunity to enhance their skills through evening and weekend classes, while maintaining a full-time job. Journeypersons also have the opportunity to work towards a college degree through the Training Center.
Qualifications
All Local 19 training courses are equal opportunity programs. To qualify as a registered apprentice, applicants have to fulfill the following requirements:
All Local 19 training courses are equal opportunity programs. To qualify as a registered apprentice, applicants have to fulfill the following requirements:
- Provide a birth certificate and two forms of identification
- Take a general aptitude test
- Provide high school transcripts
- Undergo an interview process
- Pass a physical examination, including a drug test