Three active-duty members of the U.S. Army graduated from the SMART Heroes program Friday, May 10, at the Colorado location, 4003 N. Weber St. in Colorado Springs.
Spc. Andy Laguerre, Spc. Isabel Martinez Valles and Spc. Janae Tatyana Jeter completed a seven-week course at the center to earn the equivalent of their first-year sheet metal apprentice training (224 hours), paving their way for a rewarding career after military service. At the ceremony, graduates heard remarks from speakers in the field, received certificates of completion and enjoyed a reception.
Featured speakers during the ceremony included Nathan Cooper, executive director of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) Colorado; Josh Moore, International Training Institute (ITI) field representative/SMART Heroes specialist; and Greg Daniels, SMART Heroes instructor.
Upon discharge from service, these graduates may choose to enter any of the 148 International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) workers apprenticeship programs in the United States and be provided direct entry and advanced placement as a second-year sheet metal apprentice, including a high probability of obtaining second-year apprentice wages and benefits.
The curriculum for the SMART Heroes program was created by the ITI, the education arm of the unionized air conditioning and welding industry. The ITI, together with SMART and SMACNA, developed the program in collaboration with SMART Local 9 Colorado and its training center, SMACNA Colorado and Helmets to Hardhats
Launched in August 2017 in Washington, the SMART Heroes program was established to provide free sheet metal industry training to enlisted U.S. military men and women who plan to enter the civilian life within the year and recent veterans, thereby assisting in a successful transition into the civilian workforce. The second location in Colorado Springs began offering the same training in August 2019.
Additional information on the SMART Heroes program can be found at www.smart-heroes.org or by calling the International Training Institute at 703-739-7200.
