(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA) – The SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation) Heroes Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps Veterans find a civilian career in the Sheet Metal Industry after discharge, has been awarded the PenFed Foundation Military Heroes Program $50,000 grant.

The PenFed Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports Service Members as they transition to civilian life, empowering them to find their purpose after the military and realize their potential.

The Military Heroes Program provides high-impact grants that celebrate the leadership and selfless service of Military Members and supports the transition from service to civilian life - a perfect fit for the SMART Heroes Program, Representatives said.

Current Military Members nearing discharge and recent Veterans who enter the SMART Heroes Program - offered in Western Washington and Colorado Springs, Colorado, have the opportunity to complete a concentrated version of the first year of Sheet Metal Apprenticeship.

Once they graduate from the program they can enter one of 148 Training Centers across the United States as a Second-Year Apprentice to complete their training.

“Essentially, the program affords them their first year of Apprenticeship training in hopes they will continue on through the Apprenticeship and onto a life-long career,” said Josh Moore, SMART Heroes Specialist with the International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the Unionized Sheet Metal Industry.

Funding for the SMART Heroes Program is supported by the SMART Heroes Foundation, a non-profit, independent organization administered by the Members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation workers (SMART) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA).

Donors include individuals, organizations and companies of all sizes, inside and outside of the Trade.

“Without the help of donors, sponsors and grants such as this from the PenFed Foundation, we couldn’t extend this opportunity to our Nation’s Veterans,” said Mike Harris, an ITI Administrator. “We are happy to train them and welcome them into our Trade.”

Members ending their military service are often well suited for the Unionized Building Trades.

“Just like the military, they are expected to arrive on time, complete the task at hand and work hard.  For many Veterans, the camaraderie of the trade fills a hole left when they left the military,” said Moore, who also is a Veteran. “If you add in a wage you can raise a family on, health benefits and a pension, the Trades are a perfect fit for someone exiting the military.”

The curriculum for SMART Heroes was created by the ITI, which, together with SMART and SMACNA, developed the program in collaboration with Sheet Metal Workers Local 66, SMACNA Western Washington, the Western Washington Sheet Metal Training Center, SMART Local 9 and its training center, SMACNA Colorado and Helmets to Hardhats.

SMART Heroes began in 2017 in Western Washington as a way to provide exiting Military Members and recent Veterans the opportunity to complete a concentrated version of their first year of Sheet Metal Apprenticeship as the beginning to a civilian career.

The second location in Colorado Springs began offering the same training in 2019.

Both locations work with local military bases of all branches to aid in a successful transition into the civilian workforce.

SMART Editor’s Note: Additional information on the SMART Heroes Program can be found at www.smart-heroes.org or by calling the ITI at 703-739-7200.