In an effort to improve workplace diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, leaders in the sheet metal industry have rolled out a new training program focused on addressing implicit biases. The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' Association (SMACNA), the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), and the International Training Institute (ITI) collaborated to introduce the three-hour program last summer, as detailed in a March 3 release shared with Construction Dive.

The training aims to educate participants on the science behind implicit bias, using real-world scenarios to highlight how such biases can negatively impact the workplace. The program is designed to help individuals recognize and challenge their assumptions, fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment.

Understanding Implicit Bias in the Workplace

As part of the program, course facilitator Dushaw Hockett, the founder and executive director of Safe Places for the Advancement of Community and Equity, shared an example to illustrate how biases can impact perceptions at work. “We talk about how an apprentice may show up late to a class, for example,” Hockett explained. “A coordinator may perceive that the person is not committed to work. But there may be something happening in their life that has nothing to do with their commitment. We cannot rush to judgment.”

A Comprehensive Approach to Bias Education

The new initiative is part of the SMACNA- and SMART-funded Belonging and Excellence for All program. The training is available to leaders participating in leadership training through ITI, and each organization applies it in slightly different ways.

For instance, SMART International has integrated the three-hour bias training into its 12- to 15-week leadership courses. Meanwhile, ITI offers the training in two formats: the three-hour Bias and Belonging sessions and a “Train the Trainer” program, which is a three-day in-person training for leaders to take back to their training centers.

Additionally, SMACNA has implemented “Respectful Workplace Training” for contractors and chapters, focusing on implicit bias, anti-discrimination, and anti-harassment education.

Goal of Enhancing Workplace Culture

“The goal of this program is to help contractors understand the importance of addressing implicit bias, recognize its impact on their organization and harness the benefits of an inclusive environment, which will ultimately drive success and profitability in an increasingly competitive marketplace,” said Jennifer Squirewell, SMACNA's director of chapter management.

Positive Reception and Continued Efforts

The bias training program has been well-received by participants, with many reporting positive feedback. Sam White, the director of education for SMART International, noted, “Once we get past the hurdle of explaining that no one is being called out and that the training is about how to move forward and be more accepting of everyone, it has been very well received. We still have a long way to go. Once it becomes part of all apprentices’ training and given that we are doing it in every leadership class, this will get a lot better over time.”

Expanding the Program for the Future

The partners believe that this training will have long-term benefits for the industry, improving the workplace culture and fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all employees. As more organizations adopt this training and it becomes ingrained in apprenticeship and leadership development programs, the hope is that it will lead to stronger relationships and a more collaborative industry culture.

The initiative reflects a growing awareness within the sheet metal industry of the need to address diversity and inclusion challenges while ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed in the workplace.

Looking Ahead

As the program continues to expand, the industry is optimistic that it will have a lasting impact. With increasing support and participation from contractors, apprentices, and industry leaders, the goal is for this type of training to become a standard part of workforce development within the sheet metal industry, driving positive change and creating a more inclusive future for all workers.

Originally reported by Zachary Phillips in Construction Dive.