Washington, N.J.-based Hance Construction, an authorized Butler Builder, has partnered with the Shawnee Mission, Kan.-based Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association, as well as its education affiliate, the Metal Buildings Institute, to create a federally recognized apprenticeship devoted exclusively to the metal building industry. The apprenticeship for “Assembler, Pre-Engineered Metal Building” is officially registered with the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Department of Labor.
During the three-year program, apprentices will learn to erect prefabricated metal buildings according to blueprint specifications and engineering drawings, using hand tools, power tools and hoisting equipment. They also will gain experience erecting frame buildings using a hoist; bolting steel frame members together; attaching bracing and insulating materials to framework; screwing corrugated sheet metal roof and siding panels to framework; reading blueprints to determine the location of items such as doors, windows, ventilators and skylights; and installing items using cutting torches, wrenches and power drills. In addition, apprentices will learn how to trim excess sheet metal using power saws, power shears and tin snips, and install corner, gable, rake, door, window trims, gutters and downspouts. To learn more, visit www.hanceconstruction.com or www.mbcea.org.