Three active-duty members of the U.S. Army and one Navy veteran graduated from the SMART Heroes program Friday, Oct. 24, at the Colorado location, 4003 N. Weber St. in Colorado Springs.
Army Staff Sgt. Casey Naumann, Spc. Ruben Medina-Meza, and Spc. Jon’Terria Powell and Navy Veteran Matthew Moody completed a seven-week course to earn the equivalent of their first-year sheet metal apprentice training (224 hours). This fast-paced training paves their way for a rewarding career after military service.
The program has been a success over the past eight years and stands out to military members looking for a career skills program as their service comes to an end.
At the ceremony, graduates received certificates of completion, enjoyed a reception and heard remarks from featured speakers including Jeff Martin, general superintendent, Murphy Company; Joshua Moore, International Training Institute (ITI) field representative/SMART Heroes specialist; Andy Rickerl, SMART Heroes instructor; and Powell, who spoke on behalf of the class.
Upon discharge from service, graduates may choose to enter any of the 148 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.
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 SMACNA, created the program in collaboration with SMART Local 9 in 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.