Training for Tomorrow: How JATCs Are Driving a Competitive Edge

Tuesday, February 17 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship and Training Centers (JATCs) are leading the charge by adapting their curricula to meet the needs of modern markets—and positioning their contractors and workforce to win new work.  This session will highlight innovative approaches to JATC training that go beyond traditional skills. Whether you’re looking to update your own training center or understand how evolving skillsets can give you an edge in the field, this session will provide valuable insights—and practical takeaways. 

 Speakers:

Darrell Garrison
ITI

Darrell Garrison has spent more than 30 years in the unionized sheet metal industry, graduating the apprenticeship at Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 in St. Louis in 1996. Since 2010, Garrisonhas been the field representative and HVACR service and testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) specialist for the International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) workers.

As field representative, Garrison assists local JATCs across the country.  As HVACR service and TAB specialist, he creates local and national service and TAB curriculum and also helps build and maintain training labs for service and TAB, including authorized Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau (TABB) labs. Garrison also oversees instructor-level training programs and a variety of courses, from Fire and Smoke Damper Technician to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Teaching TAB, and the Service Instructor program.

Prior to his work at the ITI, Garrison worked as a TABB Technician, TABB Supervisor and Service Manager and taught part time at the Local 36 Training Facility. He holds around a dozen certifications, in the Service and TAB fields.

Jeff Reinhardt
Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC

Darrell Garrison has spent more than 30 years in the unionized sheet metal industry, graduating the apprenticeship at Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 in St. Louis in 1996. Since 2010, Garrisonhas been the field representative and HVACR service and testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) specialist for the International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) workers.

As field representative, Garrison assists local JATCs across the country.  As HVACR service and TAB specialist, he creates local and national service and TAB curriculum and also helps build and maintain training labs for service and TAB, including authorized Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau (TABB) labs. Garrison also oversees instructor-level training programs and a variety of courses, from Fire and Smoke Damper Technician to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Teaching TAB, and the Service Instructor program.

Prior to his work at the ITI, Garrison worked as a TABB Technician, TABB Supervisor and Service Manager and taught part time at the Local 36 Training Facility. He holds around a dozen certifications, in the Service and TAB fields.