The SMART Heroes Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans find a civilian career in the sheet metal industry after discharge, has been awarded the PenFed Foundation Military Heroes Program $50,000 grant. The PenFed Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports service members as they transition to civilian life, empowering them to find their purpose after the military and realize their potential.

The Military Heroes Program provides high-impact grants that celebrate the leadership and selfless service of military members and supports the transition from service to civilian life — a perfect fit for the SMART Heroes program.

Current military members nearing discharge and recent veterans who enter the SMART Heroes program, offered in Western Washington and Colorado Springs, Colorado, have the opportunity to complete a concentrated version of the first year of sheet metal apprenticeship. Once they graduate from the program they can enter one of 148 training centers across the United States as a second-year apprentice to complete their training.

“Essentially, the program affords them their first year of apprenticeship training in hopes they will continue on through the apprenticeship and onto a lifelong career,” said Josh Moore, SMART Heroes specialist with the ITI, the education arm of the unionized sheet metal industry.

Funding for the SMART Heroes program is supported by the SMART Heroes Foundation, a nonprofit independent organization administered by the members of SMART and the SMACNA. Donors include individuals, organizations and companies of all sizes, inside and outside of the trade.

“Without the help of donors, sponsors and grants such as this from the PenFed Foundation, we couldn’t extend this opportunity to our nation’s veterans,” said Mike Harris, ITI administrator. “We are happy to train them and welcome them into our trade.”

Members ending their military service are often well suited for the unionized building trades.

“Just like the military, they are expected to arrive on time, complete the task at hand and work hard. For many veterans, the camaraderie of the trade fills a hole left when they left the military,” said Moore, who also is a veteran. “If you add in a wage you can raise a family on, health benefits and a pension, the trades are a perfect fit for someone exiting the military.”