LUBBOCK, Texas — SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 49 celebrated the grand opening of its apprentice training facility in Lubbock on July 24, marking an important investment in skilled trades training in West Texas.
The new facility will be the permanent training home, strengthening the union’s ability to recruit, train and support sheet metal workers serving the region’s growing construction, industrial, HVAC, welding and fabrication needs.
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“This training center is about the future of West Texas,” said Isaiah Zemke, Business Managerand Financial Secretary for SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 49. “Now we have a stronger home base to train the next generation, support our contractors and meet the workforce demand ahead.”
At the grand opening event, guests were shown demonstrations on plasma cutting, welding, soldering, service training displays, rigging, forklift operations and other training areas of the industry.
By providing local access to apprenticeship training, the Lubbock facility helps apprentices buildcareers closer to home while giving contractors a stronger pipeline of trained, qualified sheet metal workers.
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“This facility gives our apprentices a place to train with the tools, equipment and instruction theyneed to be successful in the field,” said Matthew Allen, Training Coordinator for SMART LocalUnion 49 JATC Sheet Metal Apprenticeship. “It also gives young people in West Texas a clearerpathway into a career where they can earn while they learn, build real skills and create a futurefor themselves and their families.”…