Sheet metal detailer wins top honors at national competition

International Training Institute invests in industry future with ongoing curriculum

MADISON, Wis. – Randy Girard lives in a small town inWisconsin, and on a cool spring day, he drove two hours to retrieve his winnings from the Annual Sheet Metal Competition – a new Dodge truck. Although the truck arrived at a perfect time – Girard’s other vehicles have seen better days – it’s more than a vehicle. It’s a trophy he can drive.

“It was definitely one of the highlights of my career and a memory I will never forget,” Girard said.

This year, the International Training Institute (ITI) for the sheet metal and air conditioning industry opened up a new detailing category in their annual International Sheet Metal Competition, which is normally only open to apprentices, and allowed journeymen to enter. All other competition categories remained open to apprentices only.

The competition, which brought more than 275 competitors from throughout theUnited StatesandCanadatoLas VegasMarch 6-10, took place over the course of two days. The top 12 detailers in theUnited Statestraveled to the contest to compete for the top prize, the Dodge truck.

On the job, detailers use building information modeling (BIM) software to produce detailed two- and three-dimensional drawings of the major systems that make buildings comfortable and safe. The drawings help ensure workers install all systems efficiently and on time.

The first project at the contest, a typical two-day draw in the real world, was expected in six hours. The second day’s project, which was equivalent to a three-day draw on the job, also was expected in six hours. The pressure was on.

“It’s what we do every day. So, it was commonplace, but, yet, just a brand new set of rules, a brand new spec, a brand new plan and everything else. The project was absolutely challenging, but that’s what made the contest,” Girard said. “I did this for me … I love a challenge and looked at this as a huge challenge against my peers, to have some fun, gain an amazing experience and see how far I could push myself and what I could do. 

The size of the award in the detailing category shows the International Training Institute’s commitment to their proprietary Benchmark BIM training software as a way to prepare workers for the future of the sheet metal industry. Girard said, most of the time, detailers are behind the scenes and serve as “support staff” for their co-workers in the field and in the shop. To receive this sort of recognition for his corner of the industry surprised yet thrilled him, he said.

“Events like this are important, especially for what I do. A competition like this really brings to light what we’re doing and shows everyone this is a huge part of our industry and will be a huge part of the future,” Girard said. “The prize is absolutely a bonus. It put a little more pressure on the contest, absolutely, with that big of a prize – absolutely an amazing prize for what we do.”

As the demand to use BIM software on projects increases, contractors must keep up the pace to stay competitive. For Illingworth-Kilgust Mechanical, where Girard is a detailer, prestige for the company automatically accompanies Girard’s big win.

“We’re proud of Randy’s accomplishments. We already knew he was at the top of his field, but to have the best detailer in the country working for us can only help show our customers we provide quality work,” said Dan Pfeifer, president of Illingworth-Kilgust Mechanical inMadison. “As detailing is more in demand in the field right now, I can imagine word of Randy’s accomplishments will only help the company’s success.” 

Through ITI, sheet metal workers in good standing can train on Benchmark BIM software, and once they are certified, they can take the software back to their jobs, saving employers money and increasing productivity. Because the software is linked to the detailer, it also allows the detailer to stand out when looking for work.

Journeymen, who have knowledge of AutoCAD, can take BIM Academy Benchmark classes currently open at no charge to all Sheet Metal Workers International Association members in good standing, no matter their location.

Upcoming classes include estimation May 22-28 in Albuquerque, NMand June 12-18 in Detroit, and project management June 5-11 in Albuquerque. Seating is limited. The registration deadline is one week prior to the class’s start date. Additional information on classes and registration can be found at www.sheetmetal-iti.org/catalog.

The International Training Institute (best known as ITI) is jointly sponsored by Sheet Metal Worker’s International Association (SMWIA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA). ITI offers apprenticeship and advanced career training for union workers in the sheet metal industry throughout theUnited StatesandCanada. Located inAlexandria,Va., ITI produces a standardized sheet metal curriculum supported by a wide variety of training materials free-of-charge to sheet metal apprentices and journeymen.

For more information about the International Training Institute, visit www.sheetmetal-iti.org or call 703-739-7200.

Annual International Sheet Metal Competition turns out winners from Washington, Missouri, Wisconsin and California

Journeyman from Wisconsin wins new Dodge truck from Towbin Dodge

LAS VEGAS – More than 275 sheet metal apprentices and their families from the United States and Canada ventured to Las Vegas March 6-10 for the Annual International Sheet Metal Competition hosted by the International Training Institute (ITI) for the sheet metal and air conditioning industry.

Video of the contest can be found here.

Five apprentices from Sheet Metal Local Joint Apprenticeship Training Centers around the United States took top honors in the five sheet metal disciplines open to apprentices only: HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning), industrial/welding, service, architectural and TAB (Test Adjust Balance in heating and air conditioning).

The sixth category, detailing, was open to journeymen and apprentices, but only journeymen made it to the contest (after competing regionally for the top 12 detailing spots in the country).

The detailing category was added as a result of a shift in the industry. Detailing skills – which allow sheet metal workers to generate and manage building data on the computer using BIM (building information modeling) software – are becoming increasingly in-demand in the industry.

To encourage sheet metal workers to get certified in ITI’s Benchmark BIM training software, ITI awarded the winner of the detailing category with a brand new Dodge truck from Towbin Dodge.

“This contest is proof of the top talent our industry has to offer,” said James Shoulders, executive administrator for ITI. “All the contestants did a great job and really showed what they can bring to any job they’re hired for.”

The first place winners, announced at the banquet the evening of March 9, include:

Industrial: Ryan Burton, 29, of Kansas City, MO
Architectural: Matthew Postma, 24, of Everett, WA
HVAC: Nick Bundy, 31, of McCleary, WA
Service: Daniel See, 27, of Sacramento, CA
Testing Adjusting Balancing (TAB): Casey Wilson-Williams, 29, of Gig Harbor, WA

Randy Girard, 38, of Muskego, WI – employed by Illingworth-Kilgust Mechanical out of Madison, WI – received first place in the detailing category and drove away with the big prize – the biggest ever awarded at the contest – the Dodge truck.

Aside from detailing, each category consisted of a written test, sketching projects, a shop project and a blueprint reading test.

“The unionized sheet metal industry is ahead of the curve when it comes to building information modeling in the construction industry,” Shoulders said. “It is the future of our industry. The detailing contest demonstrates our level of commitment.”

More than 15,000 apprentices are registered at training facilities in the United States and Canada. The International Training Institute (best known as ITI) is jointly sponsored by Sheet Metal Worker’s International Association (SMWIA) 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 industry throughout the United States and Canada. Located in Alexandria, Va., ITI produces a standardized sheet metal curriculum supported by a wide variety of training materials free of charge to sheet metal apprentices and journeymen.

For more information about ITI, visit www.sheetmetal-iti.org or call 703-739-7200.

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BIM software certification becoming more necessary for detailers

Knowledge keeps workers competitive, employable during down economy

ALEXANDRIA, Va. ‑ Technology today plays a key role in many businesses, and the sheet metal industry is no different. When it comes to building information modeling (BIM) software, knowledge can be the deciding factor in a project’s success.

Benchmark (formerly CCS) is the International Training Institute’s proprietary BIM training software, offering modules in detailing and fabrication with additional modules on the horizon. Once apprentices and journey persons become trained and certified on the software, it makes them more employable, allowing them to hit the ground running on whatever commercial BIM software program a contractor is using. 

As more and more contractors transition into a BIM environment, certification becomes increasingly important. Without certification, contractors are left to guess the detailer’s level of knowledge, which can impact a project’s bottom line.

“A good detailer can save a contractor and the project a lot of money. A bad detailer can cost them money,” said David Eisman, applications support for Dynamic Systems Inc. in Austin, Texas. Experience is one thing, but certification means something much different. “This way, the contractor who hires the detailer knows exactly what they’re capable of doing.”

There are currently five regional JATCs, or training centers, offering the week-long BIM certification courses at various times of the year. Training is free of charge to all Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA) members in good standing, although some prerequisites, such as working knowledge of AutoCAD, are required. The training centers are located in Cleveland, St. Louis, Detroit, Los Angeles and Albuquerque.

Dave Wessel, HVAC designer and detailer with National Heating and Ventilating in Albuquerque, NM, attended the first detailing class with 12 other detailers in St. Louis in 2009. The course served a need for his employer, but in the process, Wessel became a valuable asset. Detailers who graduate from the course receive the Benchmark software.

“We had wanted to design in 3D and download to the plasma cutter, but we didn’t have the means,” he said. “We were talking to some companies … and we were looking at $30,000 for the software, so it was worth our while to do it. We have had jobs we couldn’t have done without the software and training I received. We would’ve been dead in the water. The training has not only opened the doors for me but the company as well.”

Sean Murck, HVAC designer and detailer for NAC Mechanical and Electrical Services in Vadnais Heights, Minn., is constantly looking for ways to improve his education and gain opportunities. When business is slow, he also is a consultant for Benchmark.

“I think if I was still drafting 2D I wouldn’t be employed anymore,” he said. “It’s huge for your employment to have this training. You get a whole drafting department in one move when it normally takes years to build one with talent and software.”

When working on a project, Murck finds it easier and less expensive to fabricate in his company’s shop and transport to the jobsite instead of creating in the field. This way, hiccups are found earlier on and the client is happy because the work is moving at a quicker pace.

“You can’t prefabricate projects without using BIM or 3D,” he added. “Anything you can fabricate in the shop costs you a third less than to do it in the field. Your time in the field is much shorter, and the customer is happy because one day they barely have walls up and soon after your part is almost complete.”

Certified detailers will likely be more in demand in the coming years, as the need for their skill set is on the rise. More private sector and government projects require certification as part of the bidding process.

“Software certification adds credibility to a member’s knowledge and makes him or her more employable than someone without the certification,” Eisman said. “It also identifies workers who care enough about their careers to go back to school and increase their skill levels.”

More than 15,000 apprentices are registered at training facilities in the United States and Canada. The International Training Institute (best known as ITI) is jointly sponsored by Sheet Metal Worker’s International Association (SMWIA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA). ITI offers apprenticeship and advanced career training for union workers in the sheet metal industry throughout the United States and Canada. Located in Alexandria, Va., ITI produces a standardized sheet metal curriculum supported by a wide variety of training materials free-of-charge to sheet metal apprentices and journeymen.

Those interested in earning Benchmark training software certification should visit the International Training Institute website at www.sheetmetal-iti.org or call 703-739-7200.