Hands-on Training Zone doubles in size at METALCON 2024

By Dani Sheehan. 

The explosive growth of metal has increased the demand for more training opportunities. Improve your skills on the exhibit floor during the biggest metal construction and design event of the year. 

The premier event in the metal construction industry is just around the corner and METALCON’s Training Zone is set to be bigger and better than ever. Led by John Sheridan of Sheridan Metal Resources LLC and Sheridan Contractors, the zone will offer hands-on training for roofing contractors and other industry professionals looking to improve their skills in metal. 

Last year’s Training Zone was a hit – so much so that the space has been doubled this year. “The philosophy behind the Training Zone and the Sherwin-Williams MetalVue program is to bring more people into the metal business,” John shared. “But if you don’t have qualified people to do the work, then all the sales in the world aren’t going to generate more business. You have to have sales tied to the rise in the skillset of a workforce.” 

This year’s Training Zone will feature three distinct systems, each providing a unique learning opportunity. Attendees can expect to engage with a wall system using painted steel from Sherwin-Williams, a European mock-up showcasing VM Zinc, Vestis aluminum from Mazzonetto, Italy, and Roofinox stainless steel from Austria, as well as a wall mock-up that will demonstrate several wall systems featuring Helix Metals, Drexel Metals and Diamond Steel products. 

They will also have a strong Spanish-speaking presence, which John is really looking forward to. He explained, “I can teach anybody by showing stuff with my hands, but the message gets across so much better if you speak the language. There's there are so many subtle things that you miss when not knowing the language that it's huge to have someone there who can speak Spanish.” 

He also shared a new partnership with the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between initial training and the NRCA’s ProCertification® program. “To take the ProCertification test, you need five years of experience,” John said. “So, there’s a knowledge gap there, and we want to fill that gap. We want to do trainings from zero to five years to prep people for the ProCertification training so that they can ace that one on the first try.” 

For contractors new to METALCON, John’s advice is this: “Take your time. Walk the show. Don’t just go around and pick up free stuff. Stop and talk to people, gain some knowledge and use that knowledge to build a network.” 

Are you registered yet? Plan your trip to Atlanta, Georgia, from October 30 to November 1, 2024, for METALCON 2024, the most influential metal construction and design event in the world.