The International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) workers, has named Len Liebert as program administrator, a position he accepted in September. In his new role, Liebert oversees ITI classes and programs, working with teams on scheduling, planning and communication, as well as managing administrative staff and budget.  

Liebert has a long history of mentoring apprentices and journeypersons, and those who work with him praise his communication skills and leadership abilities.  

“I will speak for all my colleagues when I say that Len has been a mentor to all of us when we transitioned to the ITI from our previous positions,” said Trent London, ITI field representative. 

A longtime member of SMART Local 12 in Western Pennsylvania, Liebert joined the apprenticeship to become a second-generation sheet metal worker in 1989, shortly after graduating from Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. He then served as field foreman and in-house testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) technician for Ruthrauff Service Inc. in Pittsburgh while working as a part-time instructor at his home local.  

In 2001, Liebert took on teaching full time, and in 2014 he became the assistant training coordinator at Local 12. After around 20 years in service as a consultant for the ITI on instructor development, lesson packages, classroom management and educational psychology, Liebert was officially hired by the ITI as a field staff representative in 2017. He went on to become a certified Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) master trainer and a subject matter expert in infection control.  

“Thirty-three years in this business has taught me to trust the people I have worked closely with,” Liebert said. “We have a great team here at the ITI, and I look forward to continued success with all our coordinators, instructors and members.” 

Liebert has earned the respect of his colleagues at the ITI, who laud his devotion to family and ability to bring a team together.  

“For Len, family isn’t just his wife and children. It’s us. The team that surrounds him. All of us absolutely know without a doubt that he’s here for us no matter what,” said Tammy Meyen, ITI recruitment and retention specialist. “He is a key part in bringing all the moving pieces together to work as one.” 

More than 14,000 apprentices are registered at 150 training facilities across the United States and Canada. The ITI is jointly sponsored by SMART and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA). 

ITI supports apprenticeship and advanced career training for union workers in the sheet metal heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), welding and industrial, architectural and ornamental, and service and testing, adjusting and balancing industry throughout the United States and Canada. The ITI develops and produces a standardized sheet metal curriculum supported by a wide variety of training materials free of charge to sheet metal apprentices and journey workers.