From July 29th to August 2nd, 2024, the Sheet Metal Institute (SMI) in Portland, Oregon proudly participated in the Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE), an immersive camp designed to expose high school students to the exciting world of sheet metal, piping, and plumbing trades. Along with NECA/IBEW Local 48, UA Local 290 COMSAT, this week-long event welcomed ten enthusiastic students ready to learn about careers in the trades.
On Tuesday, students spent the entire day at SMI, engaging in two hands-on projects that introduced them to the core skills of the sheet metal trade. This extended time at SMI allowed for a deeper learning opportunity, as the students were able to fully immerse themselves in the tools of the trade.
Rob Postma, SMI’s Executive Administrator of Training, shared his thoughts on the value of this experience: “It was nice to have the students for the entire day versus just an hour. This gave us the time to really teach them to build something meaningful, and it was great to see their progress and enthusiasm.”
At the conclusion of the camp, each participant was recognized for their commitment to the camp. They received a plaque, a certificate of completion, a $175 voucher from Red Wing Shoes , and an impressive $500 worth of tools from Milwaukee Tool, ensuring they are well-equipped to continue exploring these valuable trades. Family members were there to support them at the conclusion of the camp as well.
The Heavy Metal Summer Experience, a 501(c)(3) organization, is making a significant impact nationwide, with over 600 high school students projected to participate in similar trades camps across the country in 2024. SMI is proud to contribute to this initiative, helping to inspire and equip the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Thank you to those who sponsored and contributed to the event: SMACNA, McKinstry, Red Wing Shoes, DeWalt, Milwaukee Tool. Learn more about HMSE at https://www.hmse.org/about.
We look forward to hosting more events like this in the future and continuing to support the growth and development of our industry’s future leaders through high-quality vocational training and apprenticeship programs.
Apply Today
To learn more about our apprenticeship training program, visit https://sheetmetalinstitute.org/apprenticeship/. We are always accepting applications into our program.