Sheet Metal Workers Local 104

What Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 does

Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 operates the Bay Area Industry Training Fund, a multi-employer apprenticeship training trust fund serving the Bay Area's unionized sheet metal workforce. Established under Local 104's heritage dating to 1885, the fund runs five active apprenticeship programs — three five-year sheet metal programs and two two-year specialist programs — delivered free of tuition to apprentices, with operating costs funded by mandatory contractor contributions to the union trust. The fund operates four training facilities totaling more than 163,000 square feet across San Jose, Fairfield, Livermore, and Castroville, supported by a small staff of approximately 13 instructors and coordinators plus administrative personnel.

The technical curriculum centers on traditional sheet metal fabrication and HVAC, but has been progressively extended into higher-growth technical adjacencies: SMQ33 architectural wall panel (rainscreen) certification, Low GWP/A2L refrigerant handling aligned with California's HVAC transition, Dusty Robotics field-layout training for construction-tech automation, and Stratus GPT AI-tool literacy. Apprentices rotate through classroom instruction and hands-on shop work, receiving industry-recognized credentials aligned with national standards from SMART, SMACNA, ITI, NEMI, and TABB, with college credit pathways through Foothill College.

The business model is not a transactional revenue model but a closed-loop labor-market intermediary: signatory contractors contribute to the trust based on hours worked; the trust funds facilities, instructors, and curriculum; graduates are placed with signatory contractors, reinforcing the contractor-union relationship. Revenue is therefore best understood as the trust fund's annual operating budget, which scales with member headcount, contractor hours worked, and contribution rate per hour. The fund's competitive position is anchored in its multi-year apprenticeship duration, certified instructor workforce, and geographic reach across the Bay Area — assets that competitors outside the union structure cannot easily replicate.

Name

Sheet Metal Workers Local 104

Legal name

Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 – Bay Area Industry Training Fund

Website

https://smw104training.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sheet Metal Workers Local 104's Bay Area Industry Training Fund operates a multi-employer apprenticeship training trust, delivering five sheet metal apprenticeship programs across four Bay Area facilities (163,000+ sq ft), funded by union signatory contractor contributions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Apprenticeship and Trade Training

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

akta.pro primary industry

Sheet Metal Fabrication & Light-Gauge Metalwork Training (EDAOADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arc Welding (SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/GTAW) Training (EDAOADAA), Ornamental Ironwork & Artistic Metalwork Training (EDAOADAO), Aluminum, Stainless & Specialty Metals Welding Training (EDAOADAL)

Keywords

• Union apprenticeship training
• Sheet metal fabrication
• HVAC service training
• Testing and balancing
• Construction trades education

Headquarters

HQ city

Fairfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Apprenticeship Training Fund: Earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship model funded through union trust funds and contractor contributions. Apprentices receive paid on-the-job training while learning skills. The program is free for apprentices to attend - they earn wages while training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 Bay Area Industry Training Fund operates registered union apprenticeship programs in building trades sheet metal, air conditioning mechanics, and testing/adjusting/balancing (TAB), delivered through four regional training facilities across the San Francisco Bay Area. The fund offers free, earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships spanning two to five years, combined with a Foothill College partnership that lets apprentices earn a free associate degree, and continuing education in welding, BIM, and emerging HVAC technologies.

Product overview

Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 Bay Area Industry Training Fund operates a comprehensive union apprenticeship training ecosystem with five core apprenticeship programs: Building Trades Sheet Metal (five-year), Building Trades Service/Air Conditioning Mechanic (five-year), Testing/Adjusting/Balancing/TAB (five-year), Air Conditioning Specialist (two-year), and Service Technician (two-year). The organization runs four training facilities (San Jose, Livermore, Fairfield, Castroville) totaling over 163,000 square feet of training space, with certified TAB labs, AWS-accredited welding facilities, and a 5,000-square-foot clean room. Supporting programs include pre-apprentice classes, welding certification, detailing classes, continuing education, and a Foothill College partnership for associate degrees. The training incorporates modern construction technology including Stratus GPT, Trimble Total Station, Dusty Robotics FieldPrinter, Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, Bluebeam, and Procore. The organization also offers specialized programs for veterans and trade preparation program graduates seeking direct entry into apprenticeships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Building Trades Sheet Metal Apprenticeship (Five-Year Program) A five-year registered apprenticeship covering fabrication and installation of ductwork, industrial welding, architectural sheet metal, computer-aided drafting, construction technology (Trimble, Dusty Robotics, Stratus, ProCore), 3D BIM detailing, job coordination, supervision, and OSHA 30 certification. Open to individuals seeking careers in construction tech, HVAC, fire life safety, and architectural sheet metal.
• Building Trades Service / Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship (Five-Year Program) A five-year program preparing apprentices to diagnose and repair residential, commercial, and heavy industrial HVAC systems, including installation, maintenance, repair, start-ups, controls, refrigeration, electrical safety, and customer relations. Targets individuals pursuing HVAC service technician careers.
• Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB) Apprenticeship (Five-Year Program) A five-year program training technicians to adjust HVAC systems to designer specifications, including pressure testing, duct system balancing for energy efficiency, commissioning and documentation, TAB tools, fire life safety components, and certification ethics. For individuals pursuing TAB technician careers.
• Air Conditioning Specialist Apprenticeship (Two-Year Program) A two-year introductory program covering residential, light commercial, and custom home HVAC systems including gutters, downspouts, and flashings. Graduates may continue into the five-year building trades apprenticeship. No high school diploma required.
• Service Technician Apprenticeship (Two-Year Program) A two-year introduction to the service side of the industry covering maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of residential and light commercial HVAC systems. Graduates may pathway into the five-year building trades service apprenticeship.
• Welding Certification Training AWS-accredited welding certification training delivered at training facilities in San Jose, Livermore, Fairfield, and Castroville. Includes GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, and SMAW processes with preparation for AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credentials.
• Continuing Education Classes Ongoing professional development and skills upgrade classes for existing members covering heat pump certification, Low GWP/A2L refrigerant certification, and architectural wall panel installation.
• Pre-Apprentice Classes Pre-apprenticeship training classes preparing applicants for the main apprenticeship programs with foundational skills and knowledge.
• Detailing Classes Training in detailing using 3D building information modeling software and detailed duct assembly creation, including Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, and CAMduct.
• Foothill College Associate Degree Partnership Partnership with Foothill Community College enabling apprentices to earn a free associate degree while training, with most college credits awarded for skills and knowledge learned in the apprenticeship.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 different types of outreach events performed in 2023 alone
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Training Institute (ITI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe International Training Institute is the educational arm for the sheet metal and air conditioning industry, providing curriculum, training materials, and national standards for apprenticeship programs including Local 104.
• SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational union representing sheet metal workers. Local 104 is a chartered local of SMART. Union provides labor representation and supports training initiatives including the Bias and Belonging program.
• SMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational trade association for sheet metal and HVAC contractors. Bay Area SMACNA chapter partners with Local 104 on joint apprenticeship training through JATC programs.
• National Energy Management Institute (NEMI)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvides certification for TAB (Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing) labs and technicians. NEMI evaluates and certifies training facilities and develops industry standards.
• Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing Bureau (TABB)coreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry certification organization for TAB technicians and supervisors. Local 104 training facilities provide TABB certification preparation.
• Foothill CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college partnership allowing apprentices to earn a free associate degree. College credits are awarded for skills and knowledge learned in the apprenticeship program.
• Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides occupational health resources, training, and support for sheet metal workers including mental health and substance abuse programs.
• California Apprenticeship ProgramsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState apprenticeship initiative supporting registered apprenticeship programs including those operated by Local 104 JATCs.
• Bay Area SMACNAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional chapter of SMACNA representing sheet metal contractors in the Bay Area. Contractors hire apprentices from Local 104 JATCs.
• Union EAPminorOthersEmployee assistance program providing counseling and support services to union members and their families.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• United Association (UA) Pipefitter/Plumber Apprenticeship Programs: The UA's local apprenticeship programs use the same union/contractor jointly-trusted training-fund structure as Local 104, with multi-year earn-while-you-learn tracks and certifications. Comparable in operational model and competing for similar skilled-trade applicants at Bay Area career fairs, though focused on plumbing/pipefitting rather than sheet metal.
• SMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association): The national trade association for sheet metal and HVAC contractors that co-sponsors JATCs like Local 104 together with SMART. Highly comparable from an ecosystem standpoint – the contractors who hire Local 104 apprentices are SMACNA members – though SMACNA itself operates no training programs.
• International Training Institute (ITI): The training arm of the U.S. and Canadian sheet metal and air conditioning industry that develops curriculum, training materials, and national standards used by every JATC including Local 104. Functions as a quasi-supplier/ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, since Local 104 and ITI jointly deliver apprenticeship programs.
• IBEW-NECA Apprenticeship Programs (Local JATCs): International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers joint apprenticeship training programs that use the same union/contractor training-fund structure as Local 104 to train electricians; comparable in operational model (JATC, earn-while-you-learn, multi-year curriculum, certifications) and trade-school positioning but in the electrical trade rather than sheet metal/HVAC.

Direct peers

• Sheet Metal Workers Local 105 (JATC, Los Angeles): A fellow SMART Sheet Metal Workers JATC operating apprenticeship programs in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, providing training in sheet metal, HVAC, welding, and TAB. Directly comparable to Local 104 in mission, structure (union/contractor jointly-trusted training fund), and curriculum scope, differing primarily in geography.

Emerging players

• RSI (Refrigeration School, Inc.): A for-profit HVAC/R training school operating in Phoenix and other metro areas, delivering shorter, credentialed programs in HVAC, refrigeration, and welding that compete for the same prospective skilled-trade candidates as Local 104's apprenticeship, but with a fundamentally different tuition-based business model and faster time-to-credential.

Broad incumbents

• Lincoln Tech: A multi-campus for-profit vocational education operator with HVAC, welding, and electrical programs across the U.S.; competes in the same trades-training market as Local 104 but at a much broader scale, with tuition-funded short-term credentials rather than earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships.
• SMART International (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers): The international union that charters Local 104; SMART sets national labor policy and the broad industry framework for all U.S./Canadian sheet metal worker locals, including contract standards, organizing, and advocacy that shape the demand Local 104's training graduates ultimately serve.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance16 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sheet Metal Workers Local 104