Tri-Counties SMACNA helps alleviate shortage of skilled tradesmen on Central Coast

June 21, 2012 - PRLog -- (VENTURA COUNTY, Calif.) – A construction industry study recently reported that a shortage of highly skilled tradesmen currently exists in the workforce and, due to country’s lingering economic woes and the resulting loss of construction jobs, a lack of trained and experienced workers is likely to persist for many years into the future.

According to the report entitled “Construction Industry Workforce Shortages: Role of Certification, Training and Green Jobs in Filling the Gaps” released in May 2012 by Mc-Graw Hill Construction, 69 percent of architect, engineer and contractor (AEC) professionals expect skilled workforce shortages over the next three years. By 2017, 37 percent of architect and engineering firms will continue to find it hard to fill vacant positions.

In the Tri-Counties, there is a greater availability of highly-trained tradesmen than in many other parts of the country. Thanks to the Tri-Counties Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association’s (SMACNA) apprenticeship program, the next generation of highly qualified journeymen and women are learning the tools of their trades.

“Our apprenticeship program provides a pipeline of highly trained journeymen for central coast contractors to employ,” said David Maquinalez, training director and instructor for the SMACNA Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Program. “Last April, we graduated 24 apprentices and we have 32 more that are currently enrolled in the program.”

SMACNA’s apprenticeship program is a rigorous five-year course of study that includes 800 classroom hours and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside a SMACNA journeyman.
Upon completion, each graduate is recognized by the State of California’s Labor Department as a highly qualified journeyman that experiences greater marketability and an increased earnings potential in their chosen trade.

At the Ventura and Santa Maria SMACNA training facilities, apprentices receive intense instruction in programs registered with the State of California. These programs include welding, service work, AutoCAD (drafting), fire life safety, 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.

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