Sheet metal workers fabricate, assemble, alter and install a variety of sheet metal products. Typical jobs performed by a sheet metal worker include HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) ductwork, industrial sheet metal work, and residential sheet metal work. They also work on hospital and kitchen equipment (stainless steel), industrial exhaust systems, industrial sheet metal work, and roofing and flashing (copper, aluminium, stainless steel and galvanized iron).
The Program
Basic theory and related information, along with hands-on shop practice enable students to become competent in fabricating basic sheet metal products.
Sheet metal workers must be able to work at heights. Good physical
condition is necessary. Potential students with medical or physical
difficulties should contact the Disability Resource Centre to arrange an interview (telephone interview if out of town) with the institute's rehabilitation specialist, 604-451-6963.
For programs beginning in August 2007 or later which require Grade 12 Math and Science courses, BCIT will not require the applicant to write the provincial exam. Provincial exam marks will still be required for English 12, Communications 12, and Technical and Professional Communications 12.
Students will learn about site and shop safety practices, personal safety practices, basic body mechanics, fire safety procedures and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). The students will use the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations to identify regulations that apply to each of these areas. Prerequisites: SMTL 1140
Students will solve mathematical problems from a trades perspective using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, metric and imperial measurements, ratio and proportion, percent, powers and roots, simple graphs, formulas, perimeters, areas, volumes, triangles, angles and geometric construction.
Students will learn about properties of different metals, terms relating to metals, types of sheet metals, structural shapes of metals, applications of sheet metals, speciality items, standard sizes and weights of sheet metal and storage and handling procedures for metals.
Students will learn about basic lines used in drawings, sketch objects using orthographic projection, isometric, and sketch working drawings. Develop geometric constructions and patterns using Parallel Line Development, Radial Line Development and Triangulation.
Students will learn about WCB OHS regulations concerning general scaffold erection procedures; types of scaffolds; portable and fixed ladders; natural and synthetic ropes; knots, bends, and hitches; hoisting, lifting and jacking equipment; and methods of hanging and installing ductwork.
Students will learn about safety, gases, component and handling procedures for oxy-fuel cutting and welding, describe fusion principles, correct procedures for braze welding and describe safety factors, cutting process and cutting equipment for plasma arc.
Students will learn about assembling a portable oxyacetylene unit, setting working pressures, lighting and adjusting to the three types of flame. In the shop setting students will: perform various freehand cuts of mild steel plate, bevel cuts and pierce holes in mild steel plate; weld corner joints with and without filler rod, lap joints, tee joints, butt joints; braze weld stringers and fillets; perform cuts using plasma on sheet metal, cut plate to specs. Prerequisites: 70% in SMTL 1147
This course provides students with the knowledge required when using shop tools and carrying out shop projects. Students will learn the theory involved in layout and hand tools, power tools, seams, edges, rivets, soldering and shop equipment. Prerequisites: 70% in SMTL 1142
This course gives the student the opportunity to put into practice all the theory learned in previous courses. Students will demonstrate their skills through a number of practical projects. Students will be given flexibility in terms of how they complete these projects as long as they meet the basic criteria for each one. Prerequisites: 70% in SMTL 1141 and 70% in SMTL 1143 and 70% in SMTL 1144 and 70% in SMTL 1149
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if
they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's
Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
program details
Program length
23 weeks, full-time
Grading
A minimum passing grade for each course is 70%. An overall GPA of
70% or better is required to pass the program.
BCIT transfers to the Industry Training Authority (ITA) the student's name, contact information, Personal Education Number (PEN), and the name and date of the completed ITA Foundation or Entry Level Trades Training (ELTT) program. This information is used for the purposes of tracking successful completions in order to grant credit towards apprenticeship where applicable, and communicating with trainees to promote continuation in an apprenticeship program.
graduating & jobs
Job Opportunities
Students are prepared for entry-level employment in the sheet metal and precision metal-forming industries. Upon successful completion of the program, students may seek employment as apprentices.
With the improvement in the construction industry in BC, employment opportunities for sheet metal workers have also improved. New opportunities are opening up in the precision metal forming industry. Graduates are finding employment with both union and non-union employers. Apprenticeships are available. All indicators show that employment in the Sheet Metal trade will continue to be positive in the future.
Graduate employment outcomes
The following link takes you to graduate outcome survey results containing mostly labour market results from the 2007-2009 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2006-2008 Graduates. Note: The survey results will be displayed in a separate browser window. To view these results, you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
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