HMSE: 38+ Camps. 2 Countries. 1 Mission.

The Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) is heating up, with nearly 40 camps across the U.S. and Canada in the summer of 2024.

The SMACNA-Western Washington team has been heavily involved in HMSE since its inception as a pilot program in 2021. What began with 28 student participants in two locations — Western Allied Mechanical and Hermanson Company — has grown exponentially in the past three years. This summer, the program is projected to connect more than 600 students with the resources they need to pursue a career in the building trades.

“We knew the impact HMSE could have when we started this journey, and we continue to streamline and expand our offerings to better incorporate the unique needs of every host camp location,” 

said Julie Muller, HMSE Treasurer and SMACNA-Western Washington Executive Vice President. “Now that the program is gaining more momentum, visibility and support from other industry partners, our industry is poised to take on the workforce and diversity challenges of the future head-on.”

Three SMACNA-WW contractor members have committed to hosting camps in 2024: 

Hermanson Company, Johansen Mechanical and McKinstry. Although every camp is different, each is expected to target 30 hours of instruction across sheet metal, piping, plumbing and/or electrical disciplines. Once they’ve signed on as a host location, team leaders are given a playbook full of resources and best practices compiled from camps along the way to ensure success in their own camps.

Although HMSE is for any student between the ages of 15-19, it’s particularly emphasized as a viable career path for women and minorities, who often face barriers to entering the trades. Thanks to HMSE’s funding partners, every camp is free to participating students. And based on the 2023 numbers, the program works: Last summer, 77 of 300 total students expressed significant interest in joining the trades, applied for an apprenticeship or plan to work in construction. Additionally, nearly half of the total students were minorities, and 48 were females.

It’s clear HMSE has a proven track record of success, and we look forward to the future of the program!