Tri-Counties SMACNA Offers Advanced Training for Veterans Seeking Career Opportunities in the Trades

Online, February 28, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Tri-Counties Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Association (SMACNA) will reach out to unemployed veterans in hopes to inspire them to utilize their valued and revered skills acquired during their time in the Armed Forces toward a career as a journeyman.

On Wednesday, March 6, Tri-Counties SMACNA Training Coordinator and Instructor David Maquinalez will represent the trade school at the Second Annual Ventura County Veterans Training for Employment Program & Resource Job Fair in Camarillo, Calif. to speak about the opportunities Tri-Counties SMACNA's has to offer that would make for a seamless transition from the military to the civilian workforce.

According to a report entitled "Post-0/11 and Total Veterans' Unemployment Rates by State 2011 Annual Averages" by the United States Joint Economic Committee, the overall unemployment rate for veterans in California was at 11 percent two years ago. Through a rigorous five-year apprenticeship course of study alongside highly trained SMACNA professionals who have helped define the highest standards in the industry, veterans would have the opportunity to refine their skills through an array of vocations taught, including welding, service work, AutoCAD (drafting), testing and balancing of air and hydronics, sheet metal trade mathematics, sheet metal layout, architecture sheet metal, safety training and proper duct design installation procedures. Those who complete the apprenticeship program will be recognized by the State of California's Labor Department as a highly qualified journeymen and experience greater marketability and increased earnings potential in their chosen trade.

"Through all of my experience speaking to job seekers at career fairs, I've learned that veterans are best prepared to make the transition into the trades from the structured, world-class training they have obtained when they were active duty," Maquinalez said. "Here at SMACNA, we'd like to show them that their valued skillsets are easily transferrable to a career in the building and construction industry."

In addition to SMACNA's outreach to former military servicemen and women, the association is a partner of Helmets to Hardhats, a national nonprofit program that connects veterans to promising careers in the trades. SMACNA supports and offers job assistance and training to veterans for union jobs in the trades.

About Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA)
California Association of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors, National Association (CAL SMACNA) is a non-profit trade association representing over 600 union sheet metal and air conditioning contractors who employ more than 25,000 union men and women throughout the state of California.

Contractors perform commercial and residential heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning; architectural and industrial sheet metal; as well as stainless kitchen equipment, manufacturing, testing and balancing, siding and decking.

With national headquarters in Washington, D.C., SMACNA is an international association of union contractors. Established in 1943, today there are nearly 2,000 member firms and 98 chapters located throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia and Brazil.

Information: www.SMACNA.org

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