<< Sheet Metal Technology Home page

0:00
(Caption, Bates Technical College, rolls onto the screen)

0:06
(Caption, Sheet Metal A Career Opportunity, rolls onto the screen)

0:10
Instructor Speaking: You’re working on a career so you make money when you’re older, just getting started.

0:21
I know we have some pretty special students.

0:26
Student Speaking: This place is fun. It’s a cool learning environment.

0:30
Instructor Speaking: Hi, My name’s Steve MacKay and I’m the instructor here at Bates Technical College Sheet Metal Technology Program. I’m excited about the developments here within the program. I’ve been here for 7 years now.

0:40
How I would describe Sheet Metal to begin with, that it is a metal sheet. We begin all our projects from a flat sheet.

0:47
We are one the very unique trades left that build almost everything custom. Whether we conventionally lay it out, meaning hand layout or computer aided layout. All of our projects are very unique with respect to that there are not many projects that we use that are bought off the shelf.

1:10
(Caption, the daily grind)

1:12
A usual day at Bates Technical College Sheet Metal Technology program begins promptly at 7:15.

1:19
Before the birds I might add, and then we come here. We have to be here before 7:15, of course, and check in.
1:27
Our typical day is very much like the workplace in the sheet metal occupation. When the students are out in the shop, they are expected to adhere to all safety practices that are consistent with the industry, as they’re working out in the shop.

1:53
This is used to join two pieces of duct together.

2:01
This is what is called a Drive Turner.

2:15
This forms a 180 degree bend that is used to connect duct work.

2:19
This machine here is a rolling machine that is used to roll metal to a very specific radius.

2:43
As you can see.

2:45
This is our newest addition to Sheet Metal Technology. This is a $30,000 tool. And what it is designed to do is to put slight kinks and various specialized bends.

3:00
This will put a nice uniform kink into metal that is used to stiffen metal.

3:07
This is what is called a Rotex Punch. Again this was a significant investment, $10,000, three years ago.

3:16
What this tool does is put precision holes in various metals.

3:34
This here is what is called a magna bender. This is like a big magnet that holds the metal in place while it’s being bent.

3:51
This is what is called a power sheer; this is a very expensive and a very powerful machine. This machine can cut up to a 1/4 “ plate. We use this very frequent in the industry.

4:15
Basically, it cuts metal to very precision like cuts.

4:20
(Caption, The Students on the Class

4:21
Female Student Speaking: It is very hands on. It prepares you for the jobs that you’d be getting out in the industry.

4:25
(Caption, Danika Rinhart)

4:33
Male Student Speaking: Steve, he helps us out a lot, like if you need help. It’s enjoyable for me.

4:43
Female Student Speaking: It’s not just Sheet Metal Technology that he is teaching us. It’s craftsmanship, how to use tools, how to work with metal, how to make a tool out of a tool.

4:58
Instructor Speaking: A very significant point that should be made is our class level is held at 18 maximum. That is 50% of what your average k-12 metal shop is looking at so if an

5:10
So if an individual is watching this promotional video, and they think about little time is spent with the instructor, there is at least double that here at Bates.

5:20
I make an effort to know my student, even though they are at different levels every single on of them. I make time to spend at least at a bare minimum 45 minutes per day with each student who is in the class.

5:34
Again it is a positive learning environment, one of which I challenge the students to think.

5:39
Realize that they will make mistakes along the way, but ultimately, they are the steps that help in succeeding, making mistakes along the way.

5:51
Female Student Speaking: What I’d like to do after I graduate here is get a job, you know. Get into the union, maybe even an apprenticeship type thing, make a living, and make the big bucks.

6:07
Instructor Speaking: This program is designed to do is an apprenticeship preparatory program.

6:14
This has a wonderful opportunity to prepare students for entry into the apprenticeship, local 56.

6:20
That entails 3 titles that are available within the union. You’d be referred to as a building trades apprentice, a residential apprentice, or a marine apprentice working out at the tides shipyards.

6:33
Those various titles have various job descriptions along with them.

6:38
Commercial building trades apprentice would work anything with buildings that are larger than 15,000 square feet.

6:46
The residential installer, which is very popular and in very much high demand, we’re excited about building that into the program.

6:54
That everyone knows or should know that Washington is one the fastest growing states within our nation referring to houses.
7:03
Sheet Metal worker on the residential side of things, fabricate and design sheet metal components that ultimately make the customer or residents comfortable

7:14
Caption and Voiceover: Want more info? Check us out online at www.bates.ctc.edu/sheetmetal

7:24
(Caption, Directed & Edited by Juan Rivera)