Sheet Metal Institute

Built by Hand

From flat piece of metal, they built it.

These apprentices completed their architectural projects during the Northwest Regional Council Apprentice Competition, showing the skill, precision, and patience this trade demands.

Every finished project tells a story of training, focus, and pride in the craft. These are the types of skills we need to keep our communities working.

Does this type of career interest you? Learn more about our trade on our website https://sheetmetalinstitute.org/

Clear communication keeps jobs safe, efficient, and on track. Listening well, asking questions, and speaking up when it matters prevents mistakes and builds trust across the crew. These skills are a must in our trade.

Hard skills build systems. Soft skills build careers. Got what it takes to listen and speak up? Visit our careers page to learn more about the careers we offer in our trade. Link in bio.

Thank you Perlo Construction! We are super excited and so ready for this expansion.

Faces of the Future

Serious faces. Real focus. Driven and passionate about their craft. The next generation of sheet metal workers is already putting in the work.

At the Northwest Regional Council Apprentice Competition, apprentices stepped in ready to test their training, trust their hands, and represent their programs with pride.

We are proud these apprentices will be the builders of our communities.

Montana Sheet Metal Workers JATC - Butte, Montana

We are still looking back on the 2026 Northwest Regional Council Apprentice Competition and the apprentices who made it such a strong event.

Thank you to Montana Sheet Metal Workers JATC, representing SMART Local 103, for participating and bringing your skills, work ethic, and program pride to the competition.

These apprentices represent the future of the sheet metal trade: hardworking, capable, and ready for what comes next.

Shout out to union and JATC leadership for the great support. And to Training Coordinator MacQuaid Brennan, you wear the stash so well!

Sheet Metal Institute was proud to host this year’s competition and celebrate the next generation of sheet metal professionals.

MEMORIAL DAY

On Memorial Day, we remember the men and women who gave everything in service to our country.

Their sacrifice gave us the freedom to gather, work, build, and spend time with the people we love.

As you enjoy time with family and friends this Memorial Day weekend, please take a moment to remember what the day is really about.

We honor them. We remember them. We are grateful.

Final project complete!

Congratulations to this graduating class on completing five years of hard work, training, and dedication. For their final architectural project, they built a front porch mockup that put their layout, fabrication, and craftsmanship skills to work.

Great job to each of these apprentices:

Eric R. Carlson
Ethan L. Erickson
Edwin D. Graham
Matthew Hatcher
Jordan C. Heinrich
Adam Keller
Robert Kiewel
Clayton J. Lappat
Americo N. Navedo
Blake P. Shields
Logan Wood

Congratulations, graduates. You earned it. We are so excited for your future!

A huge thank you to DEWALT for the incredible new murals in our conference room.

These murals do more than fill a wall. They represent our craft, our people, and the three entities that make us one strong sheet metal community: Sheet Metal Local 16 , SMACNA-Oregon & SW Washington , and the Sheet Metal Institute .

They are bold, meaningful, and a must see for anyone who walks through our doors. Stop in anytime and check them out!

Skill, pride, and serious craftsmanship were on display at the 2026 Northwest Regional Council Apprentice Competition.

Thirty-nine apprentices from across the region came to Sheet Metal Institute in Portland to put their training to the test in Architectural, HVAC, Industrial, Service, and Screw Off competitions. The event brought together apprentices from Alaska, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon, with winners recognized at the awards banquet.

We had a great time hosting everyone. We hope you had FUN!

Read the full blog to see highlights from the competition and find out who took home top honors.
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https://sheetmetalinstitute.org/news/northwest-sheet-metal-apprentices-compete/