Sheet Metal Local Hosts BIM Training

Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 36, a labor organization specializing in architectural, industrial, residential and commercial HVAC craftsmanship, is currently hosting the International Training Institute’s (ITI) Building Information Modeling (BIM) Academies.

The sessions began on February 1, and continue during the week of February 8. Members from other locals around the country are involved in classes, to earn certification and skills they can take back to their local unions and contractors. Prior to the academies, ITI’s certifications were only available at its headquarters in Las Vegas, but the ITI hopes to add another couple of locations in different regions later this year to offer certifications.

“We’re honored to be able to host these academies and help other organizations add value to their services,” says Local 36 President/Business Manager David C. Zimmermann. “BIM is an integral part of our industry and greatly enhances the value of our craftsmanship.”

Since initiating its BIM program with the hiring of Steve Sneed in August of 2009, Local 36 and its Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program have taken major steps to put the technology in the hands of their workforce. Local 36’s ability to do so has now been recognized by ITI and Local 36 is becoming a resource for locals across the company to become certified in BIM.

BIM has recently been gaining more traction in the building and construction industry, as a way for workers in different trades to work more efficiently together on jobsites. BIM management is not exclusive to the HVAC and sheet metal workers on all jobsites, but typically lies in the hands of those workers due to the large amount of space that most HVAC systems require.

For more information about Local 36, visit sheetmetal36.org