New program provides AIAS students with paid internships, experience in architectural sheet metal to enhance industry skill sets
Chantilly, Va. (May 6, 2019) – The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) today announced the launch of its architectural internship program in collaboration with the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). The program pairs leading architectural sheet metal contractors with promising architecture students to give them experience seeing architectural designs brought to life through the construction process.
SMACNA architectural sheet metal contractors work on some of the most complex and high-profile projects in the world, including the Minnesota Vikings / U.S. Bank Stadium, Starbucks’ NYC Reserve Roastery, Milwaukee Bucks Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Harim Tower in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea.
In addition to increasing the awareness of architects that touch the industry, this program aims to provide architecture students with real-world experiences beyond their traditional education. AIAS will match its students to available internships with SMACNA architectural sheet metal contractors across the country, thus exposing interns to a variety of roles within the sector, offering hands-on training from a licensed professional, and enhancing the relationship between designers, fabricators and construction workers. SMACNA has already received interest from several member companies eager to host interns this summer.
“We are excited about the opportunity to host architecture students as interns in our facility,” said Carol Duncan, CEO of General Sheet Metal, a SMACNA member contractor. “Having an AIAS architecture student working with sheet metal detailers and installers will provide them with a highly valuable experience they will carry with them for the rest of their careers. It also allows us the opportunity to help architects understand the value of bringing sheet metal contractors into the design discussions early-on in a project. I know it will be a win-win for both parties.”
Paid internships will provide architecture students with education credit hours in accordance with the Architectural Experience Program (AXP™) of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. To meet eligible credit requirements as part of the internship, students may expect to participate in pre-construction, pre-installation, and regular progress meetings with design teams; understand implications of project delivery technologies and methods; manage information exchange during construction; maintain compliance with established milestones; prepare diagrams illustrating spatial relationships and functional adjacencies; perform building code analysis; prepare cost of work estimates; review shop drawings and submittals during construction for conformance with design intent; and manage project close-out procedures.
"The AIAS is excited to partner with SMACNA to bring to our students the opportunity to work with other disciplines within the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry,” said Kimberly Tuttle, Director of Partnerships and Events at AIAS. “Through this program, students will have a chance to broaden their understanding of AEC, creating better dialogue and working partnerships between future trade professionals."
Applications are now open for SMACNA member companies and AIAS students who want to participate. For more information on architectural internships, contact SMACNA’s Market Sectors Department at 703-803-2980 or visit the website.
ABOUT SMACNA:
SMACNA is an international trade association representing 3,500 contributing contractor firms and is a leader in promoting quality and excellence in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry. SMACNA members are responsible for effectively delivering the clean air Americans breathe in offices, homes, and hospitals; for many of the attractive facades you see on today’s stadiums and office buildings; and for the comfortable, healthy, and safe living environments in which our citizens live out their daily lives. SMACNA has national offices in Chantilly, Va., outside of Washington, D.C., and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.smacna.org.
Media Contacts:
Meagan Dominick
Office: 610-455-2779
mdominick@vaultcommunications.com
