Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre Update 2020 – a year shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic By / Jud Martell • Photos courtesy of SMWTC
A 2020 report would be remiss if it didn’t headline COVID-19, which defined all operational priorities in businesses across the globe. The Sheet Metal Industry Training Board (SMITB) was faced with significant challenges to support its apprentices and contractors, while prioritizing the safe delivery of technical training. At the one-year mark in March 2021, we thanked our contractors for their diligence to keep our workforce safe on the job and for releasing apprentices for technical training when scheduled. Our industry continues to produce strong apprenticeship numbers, and our training centre continues with triple classes to meet the demand for technical training, while adhering to safety protocols. Industry Forecast
© Can Stock Photo SafakOguz
According to the the BC Labour Market Outlook (2019 – 2029), average employment growth for sheet metal workers at 0.4 % up to 2024 with 91.3% of openings expected to replace retiring workers and 8.7% due to economic growth. In its annual outlook survey, the Sheet Metal Journal found that contractors were “finding new and creative ways to engage the workforce (45%), investing in labour (24%), and implementing new technology, including tracking, estimating, AutoCAD, and other software (22%)”. Sheet Metal Journal also reported that BC economists predict
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Sheet Metal Journal
a slight rebound and moderate growth this year with BC on track for real GDP growth averaging 4.7 percent in 2021 and 4.9 percent in 2022. Construction will continue to drive the recovery, driven by residential and commercial projects, and government spending on infrastructure. Apprentice Training & Specialty Training The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted training offered at the Training Centre from March 2020 onwards when apprentice and specialty training was temporarily suspended. There were 41 students attending SMWTC at the time, and they were quickly transitioned to complete their training remotely. Staff transitioned to remote work while simultaneously reconfiguring our high touch, hands-on trades training facility to meet COVID-19 safety guidelines. The pandemic expedited a situation already in the making—the digitization of part of the training centre’s training curriculum. A blended learning model was developed combining online theoretical and onsite technical training, made possible by an investment in IT infrastructure by the Board and Industry Training Institute (iTi). The entire thirrd intake of 50 students had their classes cancelled in early 2020. When classes were scheduled to reconvene, the Training Centre prioritized students with the highest apprenticeship hours to seat assignments. In June 2020, we
