Category: SMWTCS news

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Women Build BC 2021 Conference

On behalf of the Sheet Metal Industry Training Board (SMITB), Jud Martell attended the BC Centre for Women in the Trades’ (BCCWITT) Women Build BC 2021 Conference celebrating International Women’s Day (March 8^th).

This virtual conference brought together women from the trades, industry leaders and other stakeholders with the goal to increase attraction, retention and advancement of women in the trades. Our participation aligned well with our UTIP Project. A bonus – SMITB received the Ally prize!

 

Annual UTIP Focus Groups

This spring, we hosted our inaugural UTIP Sheet Metal Workers and Contractors Focus Groups as part of the UTIP Project Evaluation. Discussion topics included technology, progression through apprenticeship levels, targeted recruitment and inclusion strategies.

We were thrilled to have representation of our targeted key groups: Women, Indigenous People and Newcomers to Canada. Thank you to everyone who participated and shared insights into how technology and diversity in their workplaces is shaping the future of the sheet metal industry.

We want to hear from you! Participate in an upcoming UTIP survey.

 

Indigenous Awareness Partnership

As part of our Technology and an Inclusive Workforce UTIP program, SMWTC instructors and Level 4 graduates were presented with indigenized facial masks, designed by a local Metis designer.

The masks were designed with metal nose inserts cut on the mechanical shear by our very own Bob Pascuzzi. This unique partnership highlights indigenous awareness and celebrates diversity and inclusion.

 

 

 

Indigenized facial masks,
designed by a local Metis designer, Karlene.
ScarlettJDesigns.com

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The pandemic expedited a situation already in the making – digitization. Our blended learning model combines online theoretical and onsite technical training, made possible through substantial investment in IT infrastructure by the Board and International Training Institution (ITI). In addition to increased server capacity, new computers and AutoCAD software was purchased to assist apprentices in learning online.

 

The Training Centre also received in-kind contributions from:

Milwaukee – educational tools program

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Microsoft – MS office suite software for students

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AutoDesk – student versions of AutoCAD software

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An iPad for every Level 1 student! 

Commencing in the May 2021 cohort, every Level 1 apprentice will receive an iPad to keep – funded by the ITI and the Board – paving the way to greater digital literacy skills.

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Welcome to our Fall 2020 Newsletter.

Would you like to have your art work published in our Newsletter? We invite you to send your pictures to media@smwtcs.ca as well as post on our Facebook Page.

In April 2020, the Sheet Metal Industry Training Board suspended all apprenticeship and specialty training classes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff worked diligently to shift operations to accommodate occupancy limits and physical distancing requirements. This necessitated a reduction of class offerings and the development of online learning modules for students.

Our revised class schedule incorporates a new blended learning model on SMITB issued iPads to support students learning online. The blended model includes theoretical training via remote learning and technical training onsite at the Training Centre. Remote learning and hands-on training are conducted on a rotational schedule in smaller groups. All students are now required to complete a new Mandatory Orientation and COVID-19 Safety Training prior to starting class.

Overall, the learning curve has been steep for both students and staff however everyone persevered and the transition has been successful with our first cohort graduating July 31st.

Well done everyone!

The Training Centre reopened on June 15th adhering to WorkSafeBC COVID-19 safety guidelines and public health orders to ensure a safe work environment for all our staff and students. This included occupancy limits, physical distancing requirements, enhanced cleaning protocols, etc. Our first cohort of Level 4 Sheet Metal apprentices successfully followed COVID-19 safety protocols as they completed technical training safely.

 

The graduation on July 30th was celebratory with a safety-first mindset maintained at all times. Students donned their masks when receiving their completion certificates. The Training Centre opted for boxed lunches in lieu of the usual buffet lunch. All 24 students and instructors were able to unmask for an outdoor class photo with everyone safely staged six feet apart. Congratulations to all 24 apprentices for passing their Inter-Provincial Exams on July 31st, providing the Sheet Metal Industry with the trained journeys it needs.

 

On behalf of our Board and staff, we would like to thank the Sheet Metal Level 4 students for their leadership during their apprenticeship training and commitment to our new blended learning model. Great work everyone for diligently following COVID-19 safety protocols and completing your hands-on training at the SMWTCS.

 

Our Union Trades and Innovation Program (UTIP) project entered its second year of a five-year project. In the first year, new equipment was purchased and UTIP presentations were provided to Board Trustees, 200+ students, 30+ contractors and other industry stakeholders. All were invited to be curious about their role in shaping the future sheet metal industry, by supporting a more diversified workforce trained on new equipment/technology leading to improved skills to succeed in the trades. This spring, UTIP surveys and focus groups were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting operational priorities in the industry. Now that the Training Centre operations has resumed under COVID-19 safety protocols, we will continue with our intended activities online. Watch for invitation to participate in focus groups and surveys this fall!

Sheila working with UTIP funded welding simulator.

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Skills Ready has partnered with SMITB in support of our UTIP project to have Sheila Sadler (Viaduct Sheet Metal Ltd.) assist in recruiting more female high school students into sheet metal trade.

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Skill Plan has developed an online assessment tool for applicants to the Sheet Metal Industry Training Board.

Welcome to our SPRING 2020 Newsletter.

Would you like to have your art work published in our Newsletter? We invite you to send your pictures to media@smwtcs.ca as well as post on our Facebook Page.

On behalf of our Trustees and staff at the Sheet Metal Industry Training Board and Training Centre, we wish to extend our thanks to our industry friends for joining us on September 20th for our SMITB/SMWTCS Anniversary Open House. We celebrated the Past, Present and Future of the Sheet Metal Industry Training Board (50 years) and Training Centre (25 years).

Our Passport Through Time activities led attendees through the Past with historical displays, through to Present with shop curriculum and project showcases, and finally to the Future with opportunities to demo new technology and equipment.

It was a great event and well attended! Without your support over the years, we would not be where we are today. Thank YOU!

 

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On November 23, 2019, the Training Centre hosted its Annual Apprentice Contest at its facility. Nineteen contestants representing eleven contractors competed in four levels aligned with their last year of technical training. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, there were over $7,000 worth of prizes donated to the participants.

SHOP: Participants assembled different projects for each level while spectators watched. Projects showcasing contestant’s precision and skill, ranging from an aluminum hinged ammo-style box, to on-centre and off-centre square, to round fittings and a copper bucket.

THEORY: Mark Curtis from the International union proctored the theory categories and was our guest of honour at the prize awards ceremony. It was a fantastic day on which there were many moments of which to be proud.

NEW EQUIPMENT DEMO: During the contest, SMWTCS instructor Adam Dudarewicz demonstrated the Mobile Elevated Work Platform simulator purchased as part of the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP). Everyone who tried the simulator was entered for a chance to a prize. We thank those who stop by to experience this new technology. Congratulations to Connor Sové for winning the prize, a Milwaukee packout bag!

Thanks to all the apprentices for participating in 2019 SMWTCS Annual Apprentice Contest:

Level 1: Bramwell Chao (Piedmont Sheet Metal (1997) Ltd.), Galbyn Knell (Keith Panel Systems Co. Ltd.), James Parreno (Boston Sheet Metal Ltd.), Richard Steenhuisen (Pacific Waterproofing Ltd.)

Level 2: Mitchell Beauregard (Boston Sheet Metal Ltd.), Brendan Detta (Apollo Sheet Metal Ltd), Troy Martell (Austin Metal Fabricators LP), Brady Morton (Northwest Sheet Metal Ltd.), Shad Simpson (Viaduct Sheet Metal Works Ltd.), Luke Sutton (Boston Sheet Metal Ltd.), Richard Webster (ECCO Heating Products Ltd.)

Level 3: Tyler Crowder (Summit Sheet Metal Ltd.), Alexander Flaman (Piedmont Sheet Metal (1997) Ltd.), James Plett (Austin Metal Fabricators LP), Josiah Stagg (Viaduct Sheet Metal Works Ltd.), Stanley Suddaby (Austin Metal Fabricators LP), Philip Wong (Summit Sheet Metal Ltd.)

Level 4: Carlos Flores (Northwest Sheet Metal Ltd.), William Scott Wilcox (Spectrum Sheet Metal Ltd.)