Sheet metal a family affair when parents, kids apprentice together
The trades have a reputation for “running in the family,” as a young man often followed in his father’s and even grandfather’s footsteps into a union. These days, not only…
Apprentices
Ohio woman reaches career goal thanks to apprentice readiness program
While many teenagers were figuring out what classes to take the next school year, Emilee Och was making plans to be a union welder. As a student in the School…
Local 105’s contest shines spotlight on top sheet metal apprentices in Southern California
The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) at the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) workers Local 105 in Southern California held its first apprenticeship contest…
Recent sheet metal grad shares ‘I got your back’ story from her apprenticeship
Chelsey Bus recently graduated from her apprenticeship at Local 16 in Portland, Oregon. During her five years of training, she experienced much of the same adversity other women have faced…
Local 7 launches remote AutoCAD class thanks to student licenses
Remote learning has only been the latest progression Darek Scarlavai has overseen as training coordinator at Sheet Metal Workers Local 7 in Michigan. Now, with the flexibility afforded by student…
Mauro leads Air Balancing Service Co. with straightforward work ethic
Air Balancing Service Co. in Newington, Connecticut, has operated since 1960 with a simple, clear mission statement that begins, “We strive as a total system balancing agency to perform a…
Local 71 expands training center, state-of-the-art equipment
This summer, months after the planned ribbon cutting was derailed by COVID-19, Local 71 of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) workers in Buffalo, New…
Five Questions: Ted Kuczynski, former ITI administrator
Ted Kuczynski’s life set out on its course from the moment he joined Sheet Metal Workers Local 18’s apprenticeship program in 1971. He began teaching part time soon after his…
‘Think ahead’: The ITI turns 50 (part 3)
As the millennium appeared on the horizon, International Training Institute (ITI) leadership knew a change in training was needed for instructors and apprentices. For apprentices, the curriculum in place wasn’t…
Veterans in first SMART Heroes class graduate apprenticeship
Two members of the first class of SMART Heroes, the unionized sheet metal industry’s bridge from military life to a civilian career in sheet metal, welding and heating, ventilation and…