Apprentices To Represent Tri-Counties Sheet Metal Apprenticeship And SMACNA In Las Vegas, March 6-9

Online, February 28, 2011 (Newswire.com) - More than 325 sheet metal apprentices will participate in the 39th Annual International Sheet Metal Competition in Las Vegas, March 6-9.

The contest, which allows apprentices from throughout the U.S. and Canada to demonstrate their skills, is a joint labor and management effort that brings apprentices together to showcase the high skill levels expected of union Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Industry members.

Two apprentices, both currently in their third year of the four-year apprenticeship program, and employed by SMACNA Contractors, Sean Burrow of Santa Maria and Jon Glavin of Ventura, will represent Tri-Counties Sheet Metal Apprenticeship at the competition.

Burrow, 22, resides in Santa Maria and will compete in the HVAC category. Glavin, 24, of Ventura, will compete in the category of industrial welding.

Contestants were selected by David Maquinalez, training coordinator and instructor at Tri-Counties Sheet Metal Apprenticeship headquartered in Ventura. Criteria for participation included academics, attitude and technical savvy of each apprentice.

"We applaud the integrity and dedication Sean and John have demonstrated throughout their apprenticeship," Maquinalez said. "These men will represent the Tri-Counties as highly-respected sheet metal craftsmen at the Las Vegas competition and we wish them the best of luck in all of their endeavors."

Hosted by the International Training Institute (ITI), contestants will compete in five sheet metal disciplines including HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning), industrial/welding, service, architectural and TAB (Test Adjust Balance in heating and air conditioning). Each category consists of a written test, sketching projects, a shop project and a blueprint reading test.

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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 or www.tcsmacna.org

About the International Training Institute
More than 15,000 apprentices are registered at training facilities in the United States and Canada. The International Training Institute (best known as ITI) is jointly sponsored by Sheet Metal Worker's International Association (SMWIA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA).

ITI offers apprenticeship and advanced career training for union workers in the sheet metal industry throughout the United States and Canada. Located in Alexandria, Va., ITI produces a standardized sheet metal curriculum supported by a wide variety of training materials free of charge to sheet metal apprentices and journeymen. For more information about the contest or ITI, visit www.sheetmetal-iti.org or call 703-739-7200.