SMACNA of Southern Nevada

08/23/2026

From Junior Tradie to Registered Apprentice! 🔥🧰🎸🤘🎒👷🏼‍♀️🦺🔥

After participating in the 2025 Las Vegas Heavy Metal Summer Experience, Alyssa Johnson, is making Heavy Metal history as the first Junior Tradie from any of the three Las Vegas camps to be accepted as an apprentice into one of the trades represented at the experience.

Now only days into her first year with the Sheet Metal Local 88 JATC, Alyssa is turning a summer opportunity into the start of a meaningful career.

To celebrate, Bryan Cawich of Milwaukee Tool and Mandi Wilkins of MCA of Las Vegas and SMACNA of Southern Nevada surprised Alyssa at work with congratulations, words of encouragement and a backpack to support her journey of learning through school. She just happened to be repping the camp that particular day by wearing her Heavy Metal Summer Experience T-shirt—the duo couldn’t have planned it better if they had tried.

Las Vegas HMSE could not be more proud of, Alyssa, or her trajectory in such a short time. She is going places.

The Las Vegas Heavy Metal Summer Experience is proudly hosted by MCA of Las Vegas and SMACNA of Southern Nevada.

06/30/2026

This year's Las Vegas Heavy Metal Summer Experience was truly an event to remember with so many exceptional junior tradies. Special thanks to the team at Communications - Ramalho, Jones & Washuta, for capturing the junior tradie stories and hard work all week so we can revisit the magic through your video recaps.

06/29/2026

What an incredible week with the amazing Las Vegas Heavy Metal Summer ExperienceLas Vegas Heavy Metal Summer Experience junior tradies! Thanks to everyone who participated from staff, instructors, volunteers, venues, sponsors, and, of course....the talented teens who impressed us all with their enthusiasm and hard work. Congrats, junior tradie grads! We can't wait to see what you do next! Heavy Metal Summer Experience

Thanks, KSNV News 3, Las Vegas and Communications for this inspiring coverage of this vital program.

Twenty-five Southern Nevada teenagers are a step closer to careers in the skilled trades after completing this year’s Heavy Metal Summer Experience, a weeklong

06/27/2026

Congratulations to the Las Vegas Heavy Metal Summer Experience class of 2026 graduates!

Check out why more youths are pursuing careers in the trades from one of our junior tradies, Devynn Elkins, in his own words. More photos and videos to follow so keep checking back! Heavy Metal Summer Experience

06/26/2026

Junior Tradies were hard at work finishing up projects Las Vegas Heavy Metal Summer Experience Day 4. Soon they will complete the week of training and fun to become our junior tradies Class of 2026 graduates! Heavy Metal Summer Experience

06/25/2026

Day 3 of Las Vegas Heavy Metal Summer Experience featured hands-on tool and anchor demonstration by the professionals at DEWALT. Thanks for your investment in our junior tradies across the U.S. Heavy Metal Summer Experience

06/25/2026

Great Demo Derby tool overview by DEWALT yesterday. So many innovations that help us stay safe and productive. Thanks for your ongoing support and sponsorship!

06/25/2026

HUGE THANKS to our Las Vegas HMSE sponsors who make this week of life-changing programs and training possible. Your generosity is paving the way for the next generation in the trades. We appreciate your support!

06/25/2026

VAV projects are well underway. Check out where it all started on Day 2 at Cerris Systems. Thanks, Cerris for the fab facilities and hospitality!

06/24/2026

The projects and learning continue as we enter Day 3 of Las Vegas HMSE Here’s a quick round-up of Tuesday’s hands-on fun.