APPRENTICE SPOTLIGHT: MOLLY VALDEZ
Meel Molly Valdez, Second Year Apprentice at the Sheet Metal Institute, Portland, Oregon. What led you to choose a career in sheet metal? My father, who is also a fellow Sheet Metal worker, and I have always shared a close bond. Throughout my upbringing, he served as a great example, demonstrating that having a successful […]
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: EARN DEGREE AND JOURNEY CARD
The Sheet Metal Institute is excited to announce a groundbreaking opportunity for our apprentices. Thanks to an innovative partnership with Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC), graduates of our comprehensive 5-year program will automatically earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree upon completion. Traditional Union Apprenticeship Programs Historically, students in some union apprenticeship programs could earn […]
Apprentice Spotlight: Caroline Smith, 2024 Graduate of the Sheet Metal Institute
Meet Caroline Smith, 2024 Graduate of the Sheet Metal Institute Apprenticeship Training Program in Portland, Oregon. What led you to choose a career in sheet metal? I opted for a career in sheet metal after completing Oregon Tradeswomen’s Pre-Apprenticeship program, an eight-week initiative designed to introduce students to trade options in Oregon. Out of all […]
Rob Postma
Since 1990, Rob has been working with metal. From his high school machine shop and working as a machinist to brazing and TIG welding bicycle frames, Rob had a passion for fabricating metal. It wasn’t until Rob discovered sheet metal that knew he had found his career. In 2002, Rob entered the sheet metal trade […]
Connie DelRossi
Connie began working for the Sheet Metal Institute in September of 1997. She came to SMI with no prior knowledge of the sheet metal trade, apprenticeships or how the union operated. Throughout the years she has been with SMI, she has gained a broad knowledge of the apprenticeship program and sheet metal trade. She has […]
Rachael Wright
Rachael has 15 years of experience in management and customer service, specializing in operational management, training, and development. She has been employed at the Sheet Metal Institute since 2019 and has previously worked for the Oregon Clinic and Tommy Hilfiger. Throughout her career, Rachael has mentored numerous employees. One of the biggest challenges she encountered […]
Ben Wood
Ben has been in the sheet metal trade for 25 years with metal fabrication as his primary background. From ornate architectural features to automated machine guarding, Ben has designed and fabricated a wide variety of things. Ben was in the apprenticeship program at the Sheet Metal Institute Local 16 from 1995-2000. He worked at Schmeer […]
Jason Leslie
Jason began working in construction in 2007. Most of his career has been in welding and industrial fabrication. He joined SMART Local 16 in 2012 as a production journeyman. With goals of diversifying his skillset and earning more money, he joined the building trades apprenticeship in 2016. Throughout his career, Jason has had a strong […]
Eric Clayton
Eric grew up in Southwest Washington. After high school he began a career in commercial real estate. He left real estate in 2009 looking for a more stable career. After a short time working as a youth director, in 2011 Eric decided to join SMART Local 16. While working on his building trades apprenticeship, he began taking […]
Rick Doty, Jr.
Rick has been in the sheet metal trade for 26 years, joining the Local Union 16 apprenticeship program in August 1994. Rick started in the trade because he wasn’t sure if he wanted to spend the time and money necessary to attend college. Family friends, who owned a union sheet metal shop, introduced him to […]