These national standards are designed to aid contractors, labor, and joint committees in setting up, conducting, and improving apprenticeship programs for individuals seeking to become skilled in the sheet metal industry. Covered in the individual sections are the following topics: the provisions of the apprenticeship standards (definitions, qualifications for apprenticeship, the selection of apprentices, apprentice obligations, the term of apprenticeship, work experience, a suggested schedule of work processes for sheet metal apprenticeship, related instruction, the minimum recommended curriculum, examinations, apprentice working hours, wages, the duties of local joint committees, continuity of employment, amendments to local standards, the relationship of standards to bargaining agreements, and the expenses incurred in administrating the standards); federal laws and regulations affecting the employment of apprentices; joint training funds; and rules and regulations governing local joint apprenticeship committees. Appendixes to the standards include recommendations for the selection and admission of apprentices, an outline of an affirmative action program, and sample forms. (MN)