Photo by Joselyn King Eric Stack, center, director of organizing for Sheet Metal Workers Local 33 in Wheeling, instructs Drake Polen, left, and James Presley, recent graduates of the Jefferson County JVS during “The Heavy Metal Summer Experience” happening this week at the union hall.

WHEELING – Many of today’s recent high school graduates are seeking a “heavy metal experience” in construction trades, and also the opportunity to start earning solid wages the day after commencement.

“The Heavy Metal Summer Experience,” sponsored though the Sheet Metal Workers Local 33, is taking place this week at its union and training hall in Wheeling.

The experience is a type of summer camp originated by Angie Simon, the owner of a sheet metal contracting company in San Francisco, explained Stephan Singleton, coordinator for Local 33. Simon was having a hard time getting young people to apply and come work for her.

“She started this camp to give them a crash course in our trade,” he said. “Since then, it has grown to electricians, plumbers and pipefitters, and a couple of other trades.”

It is the only such camp happening in West Virginia this year, and the first time it has taken place in Wheeling, according to Singleton. He noted there are about 60 this year taking place across the country.

SMART Local 33 trains sheet metal workers before sending them to contractors, Singleton explained.

“The stuff they (camp participants) are doing out there now, that’s the stuff we do every day,” he said. “Some may like it, some may not like it. We’re just trying to get them all jobs.”

Even if they start jobs now, many will return to SMART Local 33 in January for apprenticeship classes.

They start at $19.66 an hour, and also receive a benefits package equal to another $19.66 an hour, according to Singleton. After four years, their wages nearly double to more than $40 an hour, with another $40 an hour in benefits.

The students are learning to weld and solder, making fire rings they will take home, and “getting their ducts in a row” while assembling heating ducts, he said.

“Then we go over how our union works a little bit,” Singleton said.

The students come from the following high schools – Wheeling Park, John Marshall, Bellaire, Martins Ferry, Belmont County JVS and Jefferson County JVS.

Attendees get a free bag of tools and new boots from DeWalt. Most of the participants are recent high school graduates, with one being a junior next year.

Of the 18 students attending the camp, five already are on their way to landing jobs with local contractors or have already started, Singleton continued. Two recently graduated from Bellaire High School and went to work with a contractor the following Monday morning, and three more start a job next Monday after graduating the camp.

“Hopefully, we get a lot more of them to go to work,” he said.

Word went out to all local school districts that the Heavy Metal Camp was taking place, and 50 students applied. Initially, 23 students were selected, though some opted out to pursue other job opportunities, leaving 18, according to Singleton.

Among the instruction provided at the Heavy Metal Camp is how to put together a job resume.

Contractors partnering with the camp include H.E. Neumann, Kalkreuth Roofing, East Coast Metals, Mansuetto Roofing, Buckeye Metals and Cattrell Companies. Graduation is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, and among those invited are the students’ families and their teachers in industrial arts classes. Contractors also will be present to speak with the students about job opportunities.

“When they do go to an interview, they won’t be as nervous as they would be walking off the street,” Singleton said. “Most of them have never done a job interview before. They are just getting out of high school.”

All the training provided by SMART Local 33 is free. Union members contribute about 9 cents an hour from their pay throughout their career to cover union training expenses.

Joe Turner, a recent graduate of Bellaire High School, sees himself continuing with a career in sheet metal work.

“I wanted to learn new skills that would help me after high school, and I get to work with my hands,” he said.

WPHS graduate Jamielynn Antill already has an interview scheduled with East Coast Metals at The Highlands.

“I’m looking for a path to a career,” she said. “I’m looking to see what I like, and I actually used to work on cars.”

But does she like sheet metal work enough to continue with it?

“I already do,” Antill said.