NTEA collaborates with Lincoln Electric and NC3 to launch Work Truck Industry Welder Certification Program
Program will provide consistent training and curriculum for workplace welder training and certification
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – (Trailer Technician) — NTEA, in collaboration with Lincoln Electric, a global leader in welding products and solutions, and National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), a value-driven organization for career and technical education, announces the Work Truck Industry Welder Certification Program. Through this new initiative, work truck industry businesses will have access to a consistent training curriculum and program content they can utilize for employee development.
“One of the most critical issues within the work truck industry is attracting, training and retaining workers — especially the skilled trades such as welding — due to increasingly high demand,” said Steve Carey, NTEA president & CEO. “This program was truly a collaborative effort by the entire industry. This initiative would not be possible without the effort of numerous NTEA member companies that volunteered their time and expertise to work with Lincoln Electric and NC3 to bring this program to fruition. We’re excited to introduce a work truck industry focused program that will help organizations train and certify existing employees and develop that much-needed talent pool pipeline.”
David Ehrlich, NTEA director of education, added, “NTEA is dedicated to identifying resources and solutions to help our members address key workforce development issues. In 2019, we formed a working group comprised of representatives from industry companies, both manufacturers and distributors, as well as academia. Leveraging their combined insights, they provided extensive input on what a work-ready welder looks like in our industry, identifying the necessary skills, and developing parameters for a certification program to ensure a consistent training methodology utilizing world-class curriculum materials.”
Program details
The initial phase of the Work Truck Industry Welder Certification Program will include the following elements: Safety, Principles of Welding, and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). NTEA expects to expand program elements in the future, featuring additional processes and advanced welding content as well as add-on training options focused on other materials such as aluminum or stainless steel.
“Our objective was to develop an industry-specific program company trainers and their trainees could complete in approximately six to eight weeks that can be done in-house or with an academia partner,” said Ehrlich. “The program trainers will use in their workplace leverages curriculum developed by Lincoln Electric and an online portal that houses materials and assessments developed by NC3 as well as practical welding exercises that are highlighted throughout the program.”
Getting started
- Companies interested in participating in the Work Truck Industry Welder Certification Program will begin by completing the program application and submitting it to NC3.
- The company will designate at least one individual to attend a train-the-trainer program at Lincoln Electric’s Welding Technology and Training Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Upon earning a certificate of completion, these individuals will have the ability to train and certify other employees at their companies.
- Following the train-the-trainer program, NC3 will provide ongoing support, including a sample implementation plan that companies use to build their programs for their workplace.
Learn more
To learn more about the program and sign up for updates when registration opens in first-quarter 2022, visit ntea.com/weldercertification.
Lincoln Electric demos at WTW22
Lincoln Electric will have a VRTEX® VR Welding Simulator at Work Truck Week® 2022, held in Indianapolis, March 8–11, 2022.
ABOUT NTEA
Established in 1964, NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry, a 501(c)(6) organization, represents more than 2,000 companies that manufacture, distribute, install, sell and repair commercial trucks, truck bodies, truck equipment, trailers and accessories. Buyers of work trucks and the major commercial truck chassis manufacturers also belong to NTEA. The Association provides in-depth technical information, education, and member programs and services, and produces Work Truck Week® and Green Truck Summit. The Association maintains its administrative headquarters in suburban Detroit and government relations offices in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. View staff directory.
ABOUT LINCOLN ELECTRIC
Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, automated joining, assembly and cutting systems, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment, and has a leading global position in brazing and soldering alloys. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has 55 manufacturing locations in 18 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric and its products and services, visit lincolnelectric.com.
ABOUT NC3
The National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization comprised of a national network of educational institutions (post-secondary and secondary) partnering with industry, trade, and professional organizations to develop, implement, and sustain industry-driven, portable certifications. The mission of NC3 is to meet the skilled workforce needs of industry while training the next generation of skilled workers for productive careers.