Contributed WELDERS – Six recent graduates from Jefferson County Joint Vocational School’s welding program were selected to participate in the Heavy Metal Summer Program hosted by Sheet Metal Union Local 33 at the Wheeling training facility on June 8-12. The one-week course enabled them to complete tasks centering on basic welding and fabrication, while they earned certificates and a chance to join the union’s apprenticeship program. Pictured are, from left, James Pressley, Eli Kuczykowski, Larry Mitchell, Landon Jaworski, Charles Crossley, and Drake Polen.

BLOOMINGDALE — Six alumni from Jefferson County Joint Vocational School’s welding program have received additional training for the workforce through the Heavy Metal Summer Experience.

Recent graduates Eli Kuczykowski, Larry Mitchell, Charles Crossley, Drake Polen, Landon Jaworski and James Pressley took part in an event sponsored by Sheet Metal Workers Local 33 in Wheeling, June 8-12.

More than 50 local students applied, with 18 accepted into the program from Jefferson County JVS, Belmont County JVS, Martins Ferry, Bellaire, Wheeling Park and John Marshall high schools.

The one-week program included tasks centered on basic welding and fabrication in the metal trades, with instruction from current and retired industry professionals.

Jefferson County JVS Career/Workforce Specialist Carina Aulicino said the program was new to the area and gave students a chance to showcase their abilities, learn more about the trade and potentially gain apprenticeships.

“This is the first year that the program has existed locally and it is to find apprenticeships for the sheet metal union,” Aulicino said. “[Union Partnership Development Representative] Steve Hancock wanted students with some knowledge of the trade and came to the JVS to recruit them.”

Officials said the camp was created by a San Francisco-based contractor to attract young people to the trade. Since its inception, about 66 camps have been created across the U.S., with an estimated 1,100 participants who have gone on to become electricians, pipefitters and more.

Local contractors partnering with the camp included Kalkreuth Roofing, East Coast Metals, H.E. Neumann, Buckeye Metals, Mansuetto Roofing and Cattrell Companies.

The event concluded with a graduation Saturday, where participants earned certificates, new boots and tools from DeWalt. Contractors were also on hand to discuss employment prospects.

Those with or without jobs may still pursue apprenticeships since SMART Local 33 — which stands for Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation — provides training opportunities.

According to the union’s website, the Wheeling Sheet Metal Workers’ Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee aims to educate and prepare union craftsmen and craftswomen to provide contractors with a qualified and skilled labor force.

Expansion is underway at the training center, which offers a five-year training program in specialties such as industrial fabrication, welding and HVAC.

The program includes a range of classes taught by skilled craftsmen, and participants are paid while training, earning a minimum of nearly $20 per hour plus benefits from day one.

A certified welding instructor is also on staff for those working toward welding certifications. The 8,960-square-foot facility features a main classroom plus CAD/computer, HVAC and welding labs, as well as HVAC, sheet metal and welding labs with American Welding Society (AWS) and HBS stud welding test facilities.

Classes include ITI Core, ITI HVAC, welding, testing and balancing, architectural sheet metal work, math, refrigeration and air conditioning, blueprint reading and fire life safety.

More information on the local program is available at www.sheetmetaltraining.org.