What is the Work Truck Industry Welder Certification Program?
NTEA, in collaboration with The Lincoln Electric Company and National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), developed the Work Truck Industry Welder Certification Program to provide companies in the work truck industry access to a consistent training curriculum they can utilize to train welders within their organization. The program includes a Train-the-Trainer initiative, which prepares individuals selected by their employers to become welder program instructors in their workplaces. Ultimately, Trainers will be able to conduct the program training, testing and certification of industry employees.
What is Train-the-Trainer?
This training prepares you or your employee (the "Trainer") to train others in welding. Upon completion of this training, the Trainer will be a certified NC3 Trainer who has the ability to provide standardized, world-class welding training at your organization. You will experience NC3 & Lincoln Electric's curriculum, assessments, and exams first-hand by Master Instructors who are experts in the welding industry.
The three-day training combines classroom, virtual welding, and lab training to prepare attendees for the knowledge-based and performance assessments using Lincoln Electric equipment. Click here to learn more about the NC3 Train-the-Trainer program.
When and where are the program sessions held?
Sessions are offered in the spring and fall at the Lincoln Electric Welding Technology and Training Center (Cleveland, Ohio). Advanced sessions are held virtually via Zoom throughout the year. Sign up for welder program email notifications to be advised when classes are offered.
What are the key elements of the program?
All participants that attend this unique training program will have the opportunity to receive the following four certifications:
- Welding Safety
- Principles of Welding
- Introduction to GMAW
- Advanced GMAW
Each certification has an online summative and formative assessment as well as practical welding assessments covering 1G/2G/2F/3F/3G/4F welds. When an individual welder in the workplace successfully completes all required assessments and practical exercises of the Work Truck Industry Welder Certification Program, they will receive a completion certificate for that phase of the program.
Do you provide training for welding aluminum or stainless steel?
All welding techniques for the Work Truck Industry Welder Certification Program Train-the-Trainer sessions are taught using Low Carbon Steel (Mild Steel); however, NC3, Lincoln Electric and their master trainers offer optional live virtual training programs — for an additional fee — for GMAW Aluminum & Stainless Steel.
Do you provide training for plasma cutting?
Thermal Cutting certification training including certifications in Plasma Cutting, Oxy Fuel, and Carbon Arc via Zoom. NC3 will deliver the same high-quality training that prepares you for the exams, labs, and performance assessments needed to become an NC3 certified instructor.
Can you tell me more about the program providers?
The Lincoln Electric Education Partner Schools (LEEPS) Welding Certification Program, in partnership with NC3, provides organizations with a complete suite of portable, stackable industry-recognized welding certifications. LEEPS supports welding schools and training programs throughout the nation with the most comprehensive and relevant welding education tools and resources available for advancing skill levels and the preparation needed to succeed in specific fields.
Certifications earned through the LEEPS program ensure that welders are gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful in the industry. Employers can be assured that job candidates with these certifications are fully qualified and job ready according to Lincoln Electric’s required foundational knowledge of the welding industry.
The Lincoln Electric Company provides the training in their state-of-the-art global training facility in Cleveland, Ohio through their international training program for educators, LEEPS.
National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) is the certification and accreditation body of LEEPS. The Work Truck Industry Welder certification Program is a program within LEEPS that was conceptualized by NTEA and its industry working group.
How does my company participate in the program?
- Company must maintain active membership status with NC3. Start the process of joining the LEEPS for NTEA program with NC3, by contacting the NC3 Lincoln Electric Program Manager, Pauline.Foks@NC3.net
- Company must register one or more individuals to attend the training program.
- Registered participants will need to have access to a laptop and complete approximately one hour of pre-course work that should be completed one week prior to Day 1 of training.
A participating company is only required to have one currently employed individual who has successfully completed the Train-the-Trainer program.
What are the costs associated with the program?
The cost for NC3 membership starts at $5,000 annually per company. Companies with multiple training facilities will pay an additional $1,000 per training location. In addition to the costs associated with NC3 membership, the cost for participating in the Train-the-Trainer training program is a one-time fee of $695 plus travel expenses per attendee for NTEA members. Non-NTEA members are charged $1,095 per attendee plus travel expenses.
Is this training right for my company?
Do you hire and want to develop and retain certified welders in your organization? Manufacturer and distributor companies in the work truck industry that want to hire and retain certified welders should consider taking advantage of this program to improve the knowledge and skills of their welders using standardized training to produce consistent, equal output. Whether you are using Lincoln Electric welding equipment or another brand, this training program may be right for you.
To help maximize program benefits, The Lincoln Electric Company and NC3 recommend participating companies have at least one trainee successfully complete the program each year, utilize Lincoln Electric welding and cutting equipment exclusively, take advantage of Lincoln Electric’s complimentary on-site “expert review” of a program participant’s welding and cutting equipment, and incorporate the Lincoln Electric VRTEX® 360 Welding Simulator into the training program.
Which employee(s) should I send to the training program?
Participating companies should thoughtfully consider who they select as their Trainer(s). The individual selected needs to be a proficient welder, but not necessarily their best welder. Important characteristics to consider when selecting a trainer include employees who are:
- Team players and have the ability to work well with others
- Open-minded and willing to teach others with patience
- Comfortable with using a laptop and possess basic computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Excel, PDFs, email)
It’s important for companies to let individuals know why they have been chosen to attend the Train-the-Trainer program and get their buy-in to assist in the development of an internal welder standardized training program upon returning.
What do training attendees need to bring with them to class?
Individuals attending the Train-the-Trainer program will need to bring the following with them to class:
- A laptop or Chromebook
- All necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), including but not limited to safety-toed boots, welding helmet, welding hat, welding jacket, , and gloves. Eye and ear protection will be provided by Lincoln Electric.
- Additional welding equipment, such as pliers and wire cutters, is optional
Lincoln Electric will provide all other necessary materials including notepads, pens, and books. Breakfast and lunch will be provided during the three-day training period.
NC3 will communicate with all registered participants leading up to the Train-the-Trainer session to ensure they have necessary information, including the program agenda, list of required materials, program expectations, access to the applicable websites, and details on any online coursework that needs to be completed prior to the start. NC3 will conduct a video call several weeks before to review program details/ requirements and answer questions.
What happens after the training session?
Following the program, NC3 will provide a sample implementation plan companies can use to develop their own workplace training program. Participating companies will need to ensure they have computers (desktops, laptops or Chromebooks) available for trainees to use during their in-house training program. NC3 will continue to follow up with all participants after program completion to provide support and ensure successful program implementation.
I have an urgent need for training. Are there additional welder certification training opportunities outside of the spring and fall sessions?
Yes, NC3 provides additional welder certification training opportunities. To learn more about upcoming training opportunities, please contact NTEA using the information below.
I have a question that hasn’t been answered here. Can you help?
Absolutely! Contact NTEA at info@ntea.com or 248-489-7090.
