About
In 2021, Western Allied Mechanical, Hermanson Company, SMACNA-Western Washington and SMACNA National teamed up to combat the construction industry’s labor shortage by introducing high school students and recent graduates to careers in the building trades. With 28 participants in two pilot locations, the Heavy Metal Summer Experience was born.
Through exposure to the sheet metal, piping, electrical and plumbing trades, HMSE students explore the skilled trades and become part of a team that builds community. Every camp is unique, but all offer students a high-engagement, hands-on learning experience with some of the industry’s top craft professionals. Students also see first-hand what it takes to succeed by touring active job sites and union training facilities, and come away with a new set of skills that can be directly applied to a high-earning, bright future.
As we’ve grown the number of camps, we’ve also expanded our reach into more high schools, technical programs, community colleges, youth organizations and non-profits, with a focus on recruiting minorities, females and at-risk students. The impact of our program is evident in the growing number of camp graduates now pursuing apprenticeships.
We’re proud to work with partners across the country to highlight the incredible value of a rewarding career in the construction industry. As we look to the future, we continue to find ways to innovate and better support our contractors, unions, manufacturers and vendors to sustain and build on our success.
The Heavy Metal Summer Experience exists to inspire students with real-world training showcasing dynamic career opportunities in the skilled trades, and to ensure the continued vitality of the union construction industry.
