There are several partners in the sheet metal and HVAC industry that offer a variety of support for those looking to join the trade. Together with SMACNA, these partners work in collaboration to provide training and support for industry professionals.
The International Training Institute (ITI) supports apprenticeship and advanced career training for union workers in the sheet metal industry throughout the United States and Canada. ITI produces a standardized curriculum supported by a wide variety of training materials free of charge to apprentices and journey-level workers who work in select specialized disciplines. The registered apprenticeship program includes approximately 14,000 apprentices at any one time, all of which are registered at local training facilities in the United States and Canada.
ITI is jointly sponsored by the International Association of Sheet Metal Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA).
The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), is one of North America’s most dynamic and diverse unions with 203,000 members.
Its members ensure the quality of the systems that deliver the air people breathe, promote energy efficiency and produce and provide the vital services that move products to market and passengers to their destinations. SMART consists of sheet metal workers, service technicians, bus operators, railroad engineers, conductors, sign workers, welders, production employees and more.
SMART Heroes provides sheet metal industry training through an accelerated seven-week program for active-duty U.S. military men and women and recent veterans who plan to enter civilian life within the year, assisting with their successful transition to the civilian workforce and a satisfying lifelong career in the sheet metal industry. Upon completion, the graduates have the opportunity for employment at any of 148 apprentice programs in the U.S. and are provided advanced placement as a second-year apprentice.
The SMART Heroes program was established through a partnership between the International Association of Sheet Metal Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), Helmets to Hardhats, the International Training Institute (ITI), SMART Local 66, SMACNA Colorado, SMACNA Western Washington, and Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC. This specialized program provides seven weeks of sheet metal industry training (equivalent to the first year of apprenticeship training) to active-duty U.S. military men and women and recent veterans.
