unionized sheet metal and air conditioning industry

Industry technology helps sheet metal workers move forward

Advances in software, tools improve efficiency, keep members working FAIRFAX, Va. – The sheet metal trade may be one of the oldest in the country, but modern technology propels it…

Partnerships help grow female interest in apprenticeships

Photo Credit: Dawn Jones Redstone of Hearts + Sparks Productions, based in Portland, Oregon. Percentage of female sheet metal apprentices at 4.2, double from 2015 FAIRFAX, Va. – To those…

Lean construction method: efficient work, happy customers

Processes reduce waste, encourage ideas, help projects finish early and on budget FAIRFAX, Va. – “Lean construction” may be an industry buzz term, but in reality, it’s a practice many…

Lagging courses bring sheet metal workers new skill for future work

Training instructors in attendance to teach at local level, keep workers employed Jeff Peterson, instructor FAIRFAX, Va. – It’s difficult to prepare for the future when it’s uncertain, but when…

Job fair to introduce veterans to skilled, building trades

Organizations to come together March 11 to introduce career opportunities COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship, the school for the future of the unionized sheet metal industry, will…

Sheet metal trade seeking veterans to join ranks, apprenticeships

Unemployment rate for college-age veterans is 21.3 percent FAIRFAX, Va. – Many veterans enlisted in the military instead of going to college. Instead of learning where their dorm room was,…

James Page to take helm as ITI administrator Oct. 15

Page has more than 30 years of experience in the HVAC industry FAIRFAX, Va. – James Page will take the helm as the administrator of the International Training Institute, the education…

Sheet metal instructor going strong across U.S. for nearly 20 years

George Donovan has driven more than 600,000 miles, 35,000 annually to schools FAIRFAX, Va. – George Donovan went to school to be an aircraft mechanic, but in the last nearly…

Sheet metal training center uses technology to reach apprentices

Local 58 in Syracuse uses plasma tables to DVD players to deliver knowledge FAIRFAX, Va. – For educators, reaching students can sometimes be a task of trial and error. Teachers struggle…

Pittsburgh’s new coordinator brings positive changes to new position

Keith Schettler, Len Liebert divide, conquer with success FAIRFAX, Va. – From his first day on the job as training director at Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 12’s training center in…

Sheet metal programs look to Ohio Skills USA for qualified recruits

High school, college-age students competed for top honors, trip to national contest FAIRFAX, Va. – Some of the last industries to recover from the recession have been the construction and labor…

Atlanta-area sheet metal workers seek qualified apprentices

Upcoming large projects to create jobs for local welders, HVAC fabricators FAIRFAX, Va. – The Atlanta area is in the middle of a drought, and it has nothing to do…

New coordinators attend course geared to help them succeed

International Training Institute welcomes first class to teach essentials of job FAIRFAX, Va. – The dean of a college is essentially the heart of a higher education program, and it’s no…

Colorado native finds higher education niche in sheet metal work

Columbine shooting survivor accepts own learning style, uses it to form a career FAIRFAX, Va. – In the spring of 1999, Greg Barnes was a senior at Columbine High School when…

Sheet metal training centers embrace technology with TotalTrack

Database system creates efficiency, puts information into staff, student hands ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the unionized sheet metal and air conditioning industry,…

Sheet metal workers get educated to keep working

Testing, adjusting and balancing certification fills niche for Michigan workers ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Matt O’Rourke and Mike Stolber of Michigan took their sheet metal careers into their own hands when…

International Training Institute, Skills USA partner to promote labor

National competition brings talent to Kansas City, awareness of sheet metal union KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Skills USA’s 47th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) returns to Kansas City,…