---
title: SMW apprentices hope to earn $100,000 as journeymen with little debt
description: The America’s Work Force Union Podcast is the nation’s premier daily labor program.  Joseph Demark of SMW Local 25 joined us on today’s show.
---

[America's Work Force Union Podcast ](https://awf.labortools.com/listen)

# [SMW apprentices hope to earn $100,000 as journeymen with little debt](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/smart-apprentices-hope-to-earn-100000-as-journeymen-with-little-debt)

 Written by [awfblog](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/author/awfblog) | September 26, 2022

[Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 25](https://www.smw25.net/) President and Business Manager Joe Demark, Jr. joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the value of the SMW apprenticeship program, which provides people the opportunity to become journeymen with starting wages that could allow them to earn close to $100,000 per year, without the burden of college debt. 

Local 25 represents workers in northern New Jersey.

Demark also talked about business associate degrees available through the apprenticeship program. The union’s JATC proudly partners with a number of state and county colleges that recognize the registered apprenticeship training as college credits earned. 

He also touched on efforts to recruit non-union workers to the Local and the importance of installing air filtration systems in healthcare facilities and schools. 

Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.

[View full post](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/smart-apprentices-hope-to-earn-100000-as-journeymen-with-little-debt)

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