How did one mechanical contractor president turn a pandemic idea into 51 camps across North America in just five years?

In this episode of Talk the TAUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Angie Simon, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE). With 35 years at a union mechanical contractor—including 14 as President—and a term as SMACNA National President (2019-2021), Angie saw the workforce crisis coming and decided to act. She launched HMSE in 2021 as a two-shop pilot program teaching high school students about skilled trades through hands-on experience. Today, it's grown to 51 camps across North America, reaching nearly 900 students in 2025. Angie discusses the power of hands-on learning, changing parental perceptions, and building confidence in the next generation. "I thought we were gonna drop a little pebble in the water... I think we're doing a boulder right now, and I think we got tidal waves coming." How can your company get involved?

Angie Simon is Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE), a workforce development program that grew from 2 pilot camps in 2021 to 51 camps across North America. She spent 35 years at Western Allied Mechanical, including 14 years as President, and served as SMACNA National President from 2019-2021. Recognizing the construction industry's workforce crisis during the pandemic, Angie created a hands-on summer camp introducing high school students to skilled trades careers. HMSE has reached nearly 900 students and continues expanding rapidly.

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Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects.

Discussion points:

• (00:00) Why a SMACNA president saw the workforce crisis coming during the pandemic
• (03:19) The missing piece in construction recruitment: getting parents on board
• (05:15) How two shops in East Palo Alto became a nationwide movement
• (10:42) When a Rhode Island graduate went from camper to employee in one year
• (16:22) Why high school students can weld fire pits but pre-apprentices cannot
• (23:26) Stop complaining and get some skin in the game: advice for contractors
• (29:40) What's next for Heavy Metal Summer Experience and how you can help
• Share with someone who would be interested, like, and subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

Resources:

Heavy Metal Summer Experience Website: https://www.hmse.org/
Email Contact: info@hmse.org (reaches Angie Simon directly)

TAUC Website

Kirk Westwood TAUC

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