Fifteen members of the United States military graduated through the SMART Heroes program on August 27 at our Western Washington Sheet Metal training center, located at 2725 Williamson Place, Suite 100, in DuPont, Washington.

By the time of graduation, the veterans will have completed a seven-week course to earn the equivalent of their first-year sheet metal apprentice training (224 hours). Upon discharge from service, these graduates may choose to enter any of the 150-plus SMART 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.

Congressman Denny Heck was the guest speaker, along with Gary Olson, of the Career Skills Program at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and dignitaries from the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) and the International Training Institute, which together with the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), created the program in collaboration with Sheetmetal Workers Union Local 66, SMACNA Western Washington, Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC and Helmets to Hardhats.

The class is made up of 15 current members of the Army and Air Force who will transition to civilian life in the next four months and one recent veteran.