LAS VEGAS - More than 325 sheet metal apprentices and their families will come to Las Vegas March 6-10, 2011, to take part in the Annual International Sheet Metal Competition, which allows apprentices from throughout the United States and Canada to demonstrate their skills. Hosted by the International Training Institute (ITI), the contest will take place March 7-8, with the awards banquet on March 9.

For 2011, the competition will add a detailing category where certified apprentices and journeymen can compete for a new pickup truck. This is the first year journeymen are allowed to compete in the annual competition; the detailer category is the only category journeymen will be allowed to take part in.

The competition will take place at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino as well as at the Sheet Metal Local #88’s Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC) in Las Vegas.

In addition to the detailing category, contestants will compete in five sheet metal disciplines including HVAC, industrial/welding, service, architectural, and TAB (Test Adjust Balance) in heating and air conditioning. Each competition, no matter the discipline, consists of a written test, sketching projects, a shop project, and a blueprint reading test.

“With the addition of the detailing category, we hope to continue to shine a light on the future of sheet metal work,” said James Shoulders, executive administrator for ITI. “The competition also is a fun way to bring talented people together and showcase the true skills members can gain at JATCs throughout the United States and Canada.”

For more information, visit www.sheetmetal-iti.org.

Publication date:01/03/2011