For active-duty military members transitioning to civilian life, the SMART sheet metal apprenticeship offers a clear, structured pathway into our training program without the need to go through the traditional selection process. With our program, veterans can gain hands-on training, earn competitive wages, and build a stable career in the sheet metal industry.
At SM JATC TEMPLATE, we offer Direct Entry into our apprenticeship program for qualified veterans. While all applicants must complete the standard interview process, veterans who submit their DD214 are exempt from the entrance exam required for non-military applicants. Additionally, unlike standard applicants who interview certain times a year, veterans receive priority scheduling, allowing interviews to be arranged at times that best accommodate their transition.
Apprenticeships offer a step-by-step path to mastery, reflecting the discipline veterans excel in.
Utilize technical and mechanical skills from your service in a hands-on trade.
Join teams and unions that mirror the camaraderie of military life.
Access high-paying jobs with robust benefits for financial peace of mind.
Contribute to essential projects that strengthen society.
Climb the ranks to positions like foreperson or project manager, gaining respect and rewards along the way.
The SMART Heroes program is a free, seven-week sheet metal pre-apprenticeship training program designed specifically for transitioning active-duty military members and veterans. This program provides industry training and a direct pathway into a SMART Union registered apprenticeship, giving participants an advantage in securing a stable and well-paying career in the sheet metal trade. Currently the SMART Heroes training programs are offered at Joint Base Lewis McChord in DuPont, Washington and Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Once the service member completes the program and is discharged from the military, they can qualify as a second-year apprentice at any one of the training centers across the country.
If there isn’t a SMART Heroes location near you, search for the SMART training center in your area or register on the Helmets to Hardhats website. The sheet metal industry has helped veterans nationwide build fulfilling careers, offering hands-on work and a strong sense of brotherhood and sisterhood that mirrors the camaraderie of military service.
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