BRYAN MCGEE: FINDING PURPOSE IN OUR TRADE
A Story of Resilience and Hope. At 42, Bryan McGee has built a life he once thought impossible. He’s a journeyman sheet metal worker at Arctic Sheet Metal in Portland, Oregon, and recently passed the Certified Welding Inspector exam. Now he helps certify welders through SMART Local 16 and shares his knowledge with the next […]
APPRENTICE SPOTLIGHT: JB PETERSON, FOLLOWING HIS FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
JB Peterson, First Year Apprentice at the Sheet Metal Institute, finds a career in Sheet Metal, just like his father. Before Sheet Metal: A Passion for Metalworking In high school, I took several engineering, CADD, and welding courses, discovering a real passion for metal machining and fabrication. Shortly after graduation, I took on a role […]
APPRENTICE SPOTLIGHT: ANITA MERLO, FROM COLLEGE TO CONSTRUCTION
Anita Merlo, Second Year Apprentice at the Sheet Metal Institute, Portland, Oregon, finds her calling in Sheet Metal. Before Sheet Metal: A Struggle for Stability Growing up in poverty, I was determined to provide a better life for my family. Like many, I believed the path to success was through college and a “good job.” […]
APPRENTICE SPOTLIGHT: KEITH KREUTZER
Meet Keith Kreutzer, Third Year Apprentice at the Sheet Metal Institute, Portland, Oregon. What led you to choose a career in sheet metal? I had been a butcher for almost 15 years; while I enjoyed the profession, my family needed more from me. Between saving to buy a home and wanting to have another child, […]
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 […]
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 […]