Nine active-duty members of the U.S. Army graduated from the SMART Heroes program Friday, July 12, at the Colorado location, 4003 N. Weber St. in Colorado Springs.

Graduates included Cpl. Jaquay Gaston, Sgt. Jordan Griggs, Staff Sgt. Kyle Jackson, Spc. Matthew J. Ordonez, Sgt. Anthony B. Pounds, Spc. Ralph Ramirez, Staff Sgt. Anthony Teeters, Sgt. Elizabeth Tetrault, and Sgt. Nicklaus J. Wu. These military members 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 included Dan McCallum, executive director of the International Training Institute (ITI), the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI), and the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT); Dan Grady, vice president of manufacturing operations at Hercules Industries; Josh Moore, 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 150 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 sheet metal, air conditioning and welding industry. The ITI, together with SMART and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) created 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.