Education

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…

ITI, Interplay Learning team up to bring hands-on, VR service training to SMART members

The ITI has partnered with Interplay Learning to bring hands-on training to members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) and apprentices across the country through a…

When COVID-19 hit, training at Local 105 got creative

Across the country, schools of all types are trying to figure out how to operate while keeping employees and students safe from COVID-19. Training centers — each with their own…

Children’s Growth Awareness Week to focus on growth disorders

The MAGIC Foundation boosts awareness, advocacy Sept. 13-19 CHICAGO – Height is nature’s early warning signal — a potential visual alarm for parents and physicians. Growth can be an overall…

Endorsements rolling in for District B CCSD trustee candidate

Jeff Proffitt draws support from community leaders, local unions LAS VEGAS – Endorsements continue to roll in support of Jeff Proffitt’s campaign for Clark County School District Trustee representing District…

Path to Washington fire life safety legislation packed with strategy, hard work

When going into any large project, a plan makes life infinitely easier. For years, Steve Musser, business agent for Western Washington Sheet Metal Local 66, was in search of a plan…

Expert in the unconscious helps people of all ages understand pandemic dreams

Vivid and frequently frightening pandemic dreams are a nightly occurrence for many during worldwide stay-at-home orders. Author/dream analyst Patricia Eltinge is helping people nationwide by discussing what those dreams are…

ITI doesn’t miss a beat putting courses online amid isolation orders

On a Friday spring afternoon, participants in the International Training Institute’s Fire Smoke Damper Technician and Fire Life Safety Level 2 for Instructors class played a game of Jeopardy before the end-of-the-week…

Former Nev. attorney general offers 1 million free book downloads

George Chanos provides free copies of “Millennial Samurai” during quarantine LAS VEGAS – Former Nevada Attorney General George Chanos is giving away 1 million free downloads of his newest book,…

Biannual conference is a true sign of Partners in Progress

The sheet metal Funds were well represented at the Partners in Progress Conference held Feb. 25-26 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The biannual labor-management event brings together SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and…

Local 40 lab video helps educate all to value of fire life safety

Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local Union 40 in Connecticut created its Fire Life Safety lab two years ago to share it with politicians, fire officials and other Sheet Metal, Air, Rail…

Fifth annual Safety Champions Conference set for March

The Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) plans to host the 2020 Safety Champions Conference March 22-24 at the Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio, 420 W. Market St. The conference continues SMOHIT’s…

California sheet metal veteran makes mentorship a priority

Once on the dentist track, Bob Dak’s career has served generations of apprentices CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. – Bob Dak was well on his way to a career in dentistry when…

Indiana apprenticeship focuses on service

Sheet Metal Workers Local 20 training centers in Gary and Evansville, Indiana, are meeting industry demand for more service specialists with new five-year service-specific apprenticeship programs. Sean Webb, who instructs general…