It's no secret that the sheet metal industry is male dominated. In fact, according to Zippia, 94.4% of sheet metal fabricators are men, while 5.6% are women. In addition, most of the sheet metal fabricators are white — 65.9%, followed by Latino and Black, who make up 18.6% and 8.7% respectively.

That's something that Alejandra, an apprentice at Hermanson Company, LLP, would love to see change. Through social media, she is aiming to encourage other women to join the industry.

"I think when I was asked to tell people about the program that was going on here at Hermanson and with the Local 66, I just did a quick post for classmates," she says. Alejandra took to social media to tell other females not to be afraid to join the class.

"I think that gender representation should increase, so I would I would love to see more women in the industry." 

Alejandra's decision to join the trade industry was an easy one. She just wasn't sure exactly which direction she wanted to go. That's where a special summer program came in. 

"I didn't know exactly where I was going. I didn't have the funds to go to college or university, and I heard about this program, the Heavy Metal Summer Experience," she says. "I attended and they introduced me to the trades — more sheet metal focused — but they did touch on most trades. They told me that they would pay me to learn and I was sold."

After completing the Heavy Sheet Metal Summer program – think summer camp for careers in the trades -  she applied to become an apprentice, but Alejandra was waitlisted. As she waited for her spot as an apprentice, Alejandra learned about the trade and the tools as a material handler (a form of pre-apprentice). 

"She did such a great job in that one," said Jeff Reinhardt, the executive administrator for the Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC, so much so that it was expected that she would become an apprentice after working as a material handler, which is part of the process.  

"She had to have had to work as a material handler at Hermanson for six months and then be a member in good standing with the local for six months, and then they could write a letter of recommendation for her," Reinhardt said. 

Today, as an apprentice at Hermanson Company, LLP, which is a regional leader in mechanical systems construction, she's learning all the skills she needs to be successful in the industry. 

Alejandra is looking to focus on design and facilitation of specialty metals that make up billboards, signage and buildings. For now, she spends 40 hours each week learning from the journeymen around her. 

"Although because of contracts and whatnot, you're not technically about to hang any duct or put it together, but you assist your apprentices and your journeyman and your foreman in every other way that you can," she said. 

While she said, "it's not all unicorns and rainbows," the experience has been positive overall. 

"The environment is good. When you work with good people then you do good work."

She's made quite an impression, too, Reinhardt said. 

"Chris Howard, the superintendent over at Hermanson, and Janet both recommended her. And we're glad to have her it. It sounds like she's a heck of an apprentice."