Welding is the most common way of permanently joining metal parts. In this process, heat is applied to metal pieces which melts and fuses them to form a permanent bond. Because of its strength, welding is used in shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing and repair, aerospace and thousands of other manufacturing activities. Welding also is used to join steel beams in the construction of buildings, bridges and other structures, and to join pipes in pipelines, power plants and refineries.
Sheet metal welders work on large-scale projects, custom projects or large shop-built modules. In this field, you may make the machines used in automotive assembly or food processing plants. On the other hand, you may find yourself working on a specialized installation almost anywhere in the world, such as a nuclear power plant or high-tech factory. The projects you will work on last for years and enhance the quality of life for many people.
Welders work in a wide variety of industries. The work that welders do and the equipment they use vary with the industry. There are more than 100 different processes that a welder can use. The type of weld is usually determined by the types of metals being joined and the conditions under which the welding is to take place.
Our Careers
Take a look at some of the job areas SMART is proud to represent!
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Architectural Sheet Metal -
Architectural Sheet Metal
Architectural sheet metal is a combination of technical skill and artistry. As an apprentice, you will specialize in fastening and joining, managing expansion and contraction, sealing and controlling moisture to ensure the appearance and durability of buildings. You may spend a good part of your career working at large commercial/industrial sites or residential jobs. Opportunities […] - Bus Operators & Mechanics
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Bus Operators & Mechanics
Bus operator and mechanic duties vary, depending on whether they drive or work on local buses in cities and suburbs, intercity buses, long-distance buses between states, charter buses on tours or school buses. When drivers report to terminals to get their assignments, they inspect their buses, check the fuel, oil, water and tires, and make […] - CAD, Drafting & Detailing
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CAD, Drafting & Detailing
Sheet metal detailing, also known as sketching, is often thought of as CAD (computer-aided drafting). A certified detailer is a skilled commercial HVAC trade person who will advance to provide coordination between the fabricators and the installers from various trades. You will work with project documents and plans and specifications, take field measurements and create […] - Freight Rail
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Freight Rail
SMART TD, with more than 450 locals in the U.S., has more members than any other railroad labor union and holds some of the best freight rail contracts in North America. It is the only labor union that has united various operating crafts while protecting craft autonomy and has the most effective voice among transportation […] - HVAC Installation
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HVAC Installation
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. In this field, you will work on high-volume mechanical systems. These systems deliver heated and cooled air to commercial buildings such as schools, hospitals, airports, factories and office buildings.You’ll work in an exciting environment with dozens of other trade workers, creating something that is long lasting and […] - HVAC Shop/Fabrication
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HVAC Shop/Fabrication
Sheet metal workers sometimes exclusively, or in conjunction with field installation work, will fabricate, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes and furnace casings. Work may involve setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks or forms […] - Lagging
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Lagging
Lagging is the finishing material (such as steel, aluminum or other materials) used to cover many types of insulation, especially on large flat surfaces such as boiler walls, flues, ducts, precipitators, selective catalytic reduction systems, baghouses, wind boxes or fans. Insulation and metal lagging of mechanical system components includes flat work, round work, pressure vessels […] - Passenger Rail
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Passenger Rail
SMART represents workers on Amtrak, the largest passenger rail operator in the United States, as well as other smaller regional and local passenger carriers. Rail remains one of the most sustainable and efficient ways of safely transporting travelers to their destination, and recent national legislation has reaffirmed its key role in national infrastructure going forward. […] - Production / Manufacturing
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Production / Manufacturing
Production and manufacturing is the creation or production of goods from components or raw material with the help of equipment, labor, machines and tools. The term may refer to a range of work, from handcraft to high-tech, but it is most commonly applied to industrial design, in which raw materials from the primary sector are […] - Rail Mechanical
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Rail Mechanical
Union sheet metal members work in freight and passenger rail transportation, including commuter railroads. They maintain and rebuild locomotives that move freight, long-distance passenger train equipment and equipment used in commuter rail service. Additionally, members of the sheet metal craft maintain heating and ventilation systems, as well as pipefitting and plumbing, within the railroad shops, […] - Residential HVAC
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Residential HVAC
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. As a residential HVAC technician, you will work on installing and servicing complete residential HVAC systems. You’ll install ductwork for a wide variety of residences including single-family homes, town homes and apartment buildings. You may also work on duct systems for existing buildings to remodel, upgrade or […] - Service and Refrigeration
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Service and Refrigeration
Almost everything we do indoors depends on a working heating and cooling system. These systems make buildings comfortable and safe. Demand for skilled technicians in this specialized field is high. As a service and refrigeration technician, you’ll work on a variety of job sites. You may install and test systems to ensure that they are […] - Roofing
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Roofing
A roofer is a skilled tradesperson who installs a waterproof membrane on a building that has either a flat or sloped deck consisting of wood, steel or concrete. They may specialize in residential or industrial roofing. The most commonly used roofing product is a layer of asphalt paper embedded in hot asphalt up to four […] - Shipyard
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Shipyard
SMART members perform work in shipyards from coast to coast, including Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and the Ingalls Shipyard in Mississippi. Most, but not all, of the ships that members work on are vessels for the U.S. Navy. We build new ships from the ground up, and we also perform maintenance of the entire Navy […] - Sign Fabrication & Installation
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Sign Fabrication & Installation
As a sign hanger and builder, your job includes installing, mounting, servicing and repairing signs in commercial, industrial and high-rise residential settings. Your duties include preparing poles, buildings, billboards and other structures for installations, and then mounting the signs. You also have a chance to showcase your creativity and skills in some of the most […] - Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency (TAB)
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Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency (TAB)
Testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) is an important part of air and water delivery systems. TAB technicians make sure that air and water in heating and air conditioning systems are delivered efficiently, quietly and safely throughout a building. As a TAB technician, you will be responsible for working on air and water delivery systems to […]Learn more about Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency (TAB) »
- Transit & Commuter Rail
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Transit & Commuter Rail
SMART represents workers on a number of major regional transit providers, including light and heavy rail carriers in major metropolitan areas nationwide. Rail remains one of the most sustainable and efficient ways of safely transporting travelers to their destination, and national legislation has reaffirmed its key role going forward as part of U.S. infrastructure, reducing […] - Industrial and Shop Welding
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Industrial and Shop Welding
Welding is the most common way of permanently joining metal parts. In this process, heat is applied to metal pieces which melts and fuses them to form a permanent bond. Because of its strength, welding is used in shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing and repair, aerospace and thousands of other manufacturing activities. Welding also is used to […] - Yardmaster
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Yardmaster
Yardmasters are the traffic controllers of the yards and terminals in the railroad industry. Using computers and supervising switching equipment in the yard tower, they route trains and engines within the yard. The yardmaster reads switching orders and schedules to determine the time trains will arrive or depart, the sequence of movement and the routing […]
We Train the Best Welders
Take the next step on your journey towards a rewarding career. Learn how you can become a SMART member.