The International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the unionized sheet metal industry, has recently announced a new grant to help International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) training programs build or upgrade a testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) lab. These TAB-specific training labs are in demand as sheet metal workers become certified to handle the increased amount of TAB work throughout the country.
The TAB Lab Upgrade or Construction Grant provides 80% reimbursement up to a maximum of $32,000 to SMART training programs of all accreditation levels. It can also be combined with other grants.
Darrell Garrison, field representative and TAB specialist with the ITI, said the need for qualified TAB workers has grown exponentially. The ITI has listened, as locals have reached out and communicated what they have heard from signatory contractors.
“The need is there,” Garrison said. “With data centers, chip plants, battery plants, infrastructure work, and anything high tech . . . we need to do more than just fly people out to existing TAB labs [for training].”
The ITI has also been working hard to identify and negotiate discounts on TAB instrumentation to put into these new labs from companies such as Evergreen Telemetry, Testo and TSI/Alnor.
The ITI hopes the new TAB grant, along with other opportunities for funding and equipment, will help sheet metal locals everywhere meet the moment.
“There’s a huge amount of work going on . . . we also have to replace the workforce that’s retiring,” Garrison said. “The onus for recruiting is on the locals, but we are here to assist in building new labs and getting [training centers] what they need.”
For more information about the ITI and its available training curriculum for members covering unionized sheet metal trade and TAB work, visit the website or call 703-739-7200.
