Education

SMART Heroes marks more than 500 graduates, provides opportunities for veterans

As of March, the SMART Heroes program has successfully graduated more than 500 veterans and current military members from its programs in Western Washington Sheet Metal and at Sheet Metal…

ITI names Illinois instructor new director of research, development and technology

The International Training Institute (ITI), the educational arm of the unionized sheet metal industry, has welcomed David St. Peter, of Sheet Metal Workers Local 265 in Carol Stream, Illinois, as its new…

Compliance with PPACA key to navigating Inflation Reduction Act

Five tips for human resources professionals to keep companies off IRS radar New legislation routinely causes concern about effects on particular industries. For human resources professionals, who continuously work to…

Children’s Growth Awareness Week to focus on growth disorders

The MAGIC Foundation boosts awareness, advocacy Sept. 18-24 Height is nature’s early warning signal — a potential visual alarm for parents and physicians. Growth can be an overall sign of…

Sheet Metal Workers Local 80 soldering class aerial photo of members in the workshop

Detroit sheet metal workers gather to learn, certify soldering skills

The International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the unionized sheet metal and air conditioning industry, and the Copper Development Association (CDA) recently facilitated a soldering certification class for members of Sheet Metal…

McGuire takes new role as ITI program administrator

Ron McGuire said he knows he has some really big shoes to fill in his new position as program administrator for the International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the unionized…

Aldo Zambetti steps into new role as SMOHIT administrator

It was only last year Aldo Zambetti joined the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) as its program director, and as of Jan. 1, he moved into the role of administrator.…

A picture or Antonette Ventura wearing protective gear and working in a sheet metal lab.

Reservist returns from deployment to sheet metal apprenticeship

Staff sergeant recalls the support union leadership showed during deployment Staff Sgt. Antonette Ventura’s path to becoming a sheet metal journey person took an unexpected detour when she was deployed…

International Training Institute welcomes two to field staff

Joe Potesta, of Indianapolis, and Craig Reehten, of St. Louis, were selected earlier this year for two positions on the field staff of the International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of…

Harris assumes helm at International Training Institute

Michael Harris, a longtime staffer at the International Training Institute (ITI), has taken the reins as its administrator. A second-generation sheet metal worker, Harris got his first taste of the industry at…

Picture of Clifford Singer posing with his geometrical clouds.

In new exhibition, surrealist returns to his roots — in the clouds

New York geometer moved to Las Vegas to teach math, his inspiration for art Prolific abstract artist and geometer Clifford Singer will showcase his latest works in the art installation,…

Why should you hire a union-friendly marketing firm?

It’s a great day at the union — business is good and new initiatives are beginning to take shape. From the small stories happening in communities across the country to…

American Nevada Company welcomes back vice president

Allred returns to property management division after seven years Natalie Allred has joined American Nevada Company as vice president of property management. This is her second stint with American Nevada…

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 air…

Group of casual group mates discussing their thoughts about working over home task for next lesson

Having legal affairs in order should be part of back-to-school plan

Borg Law Group offers tips for sending young adults to college with security Young adults excitedly preparing to live life on their own for the first time often think of…

SMOHIT welcomes new program director

This summer, the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust Inc. (SMOHIT) welcomed Aldo Zambetti as program director. Zambetti started in sheet metal in 1980 and spent 20 years at the…

Medical futurist Dr. Dan O’Brien signs with Celebrity Speakers Bureau

Multi-dimensional speaker combines disciplines of health, business Dr. Dan O’Brien, medical futurist, corporate strategist, keynote speaker and author, has signed with Bruce Merrin’s Celebrity Speakers Bureau for speaking appearances…

Las Vegas’ first Jewish child shares adventures in new memoir

A rebellious, energetic streak led Bobbie Kane all over the world, to life in Hawaii Born in 1932 as the first known native Jewish child in Las Vegas, Roberta “Bobbie”…

Heavy Metal Summer Experience introduces youth to sheet metal

California, Washington union training centers welcome students on interactive tours Each high school student touring the Western Washington Sheet Metal training center on July 13 left with a miniature Jeep…

Code Central introduces young women to coding, robotics

Female instructors demonstrate possibilities computer science can offer Almost two centuries ago, Lady Ada Lovelace, a young English mathematician who published her programming instructions in 1843, became the first person…

Dale Clark joins ITI as OSHA specialist

Second-generation union sheet metal worker Dale Clark began work on Jan. 1 as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) specialist, a new position created to oversee health and safety classes…

Apprentice owes life to CPR, instructors at Local 20

When first-year apprentice John Walker returned to Sheet Metal Workers Local 20’s Indianapolis training center after lunch in January, he didn’t feel well — his legs were shaking, he was lethargic…

Prince Lorenzo de'Medici standing next to a car

Speakers Bureau signs Renaissance man Prince Lorenzo de’ Medici

Banker, philanthropist, designer is descendent of historic House of Medici LAS VEGAS – Bruce Merrin’s Celebrity Speakers Bureau has reached an agreement to represent noted Italian artist, philanthropist, international investor,…

Minnesota sheet metal workers create opportunities with new learning lab

The pandemic didn’t slow down progress at Sheet Metal Workers Local 10 in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Beginning in March 2020, construction began on the training center’s new 3,700-square-foot commercial…

The Sound of Laughing Rabbits Book Cover

Local business owner writes, illustrates children’s book

Raffi’s childhood experiences, creative outlook retold in whimsical metaphor LAS VEGAS – Alex Raffi, local author, artist and business owner, has written and illustrated “The Sound of Laughing Rabbits,” a…

Tale of two cities: reopening sheet metal training centers in 2020

There are more than 140 union sheet metal training centers in the United States and Canada, and they vary in size — from city to rural, a few dozen apprentices…

SMOHIT welcomes new administrative assistant, Abigail Livingston

Abigail Livingston recalls that the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was a strange time to get a new job as administrative assistant for the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT), but…

MGM fire 40th anniversary: The state of fire life safety

Smoke billowed into the blue sky above a 1980-version of the Las Vegas skyline on a crisp Nov. 21 morning. The cloud was coming from the MGM, which is now…

Summer road trip challenge shares local history highlights

Henderson Historical Society takes license plate on a tour through town HENDERSON, Nev. –The Henderson Historical Society has set out on a virtual summer road trip challenge to share many…

ITI program helps apprentices access online content throughout pandemic

When the pandemic hit, training centers had to find ways to continue education online for apprentices. While first-year apprentices are assigned an iPad at the beginning of the school year…