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.

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.

The Work Truck Industry Welder Certification Program includes a Train-the-Trainer initiative for companies that apply to the program. Every successful participant of the program will be provided with curriculum material, a training management system and tips on how to train and certify individuals in their workplaces.

A participating company is only required to have one currently employed individual who has successfully completed the Train-the-Trainer program.

All Trainers (those who successfully complete the Train-the-Trainer program) will be given instructor access in the learning management system that requires a computer with internet access. This includes access to curriculum materials and the ability to assign different elements to their trainees. While there is no expiration date associated with instructor access, maintaining a membership with NC3 is required to have continual access the learning management system and instructors recertify using an online assessment every three years at no additional cost.

Sessions are offered in the spring and fall at the Lincoln Electric Welding Technology and Training Center (Cleveland, Ohio).

All participants that attend this unique training program will have the opportunity to receive the following four certifications:

1. Welding Safety
2. Principles of Welding
3. Introduction to GMAW
4. 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.

All welding techniques are taught using Low Carbon Steel (Mild Steel). The welding techniques taught can be used on other materials, but require different materials and equipment set up instructions that are not covered in the current course curriculum. NTEA, NC3, and Lincoln Electric are expanding the program elements in 2023 with optional virtual training content and additional tiers for other materials such as aluminum and stainless steel.

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, Lincoln Electric Educational Partner Schools (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.

1. 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

2. 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.

In addition to the costs associated with NC3 membership (currently $5,000 per company annually), the cost for participating in the training program is a one-time fee of $695 plus travel expenses per attendee for NTEA members. Non-NTEA members are charged $1,695 per attendee plus travel expenses.

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.

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.

Individuals attending the Train-the-Trainer program will need to bring the following with them to class:

1. A laptop or Chromebook
2. 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.
3. 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.

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.

Yes, NC3 provides additional welder certification training opportunities. To learn more about upcoming training opportunities, please contact NTEA using the information below.

Absolutely! Contact NTEA at info@ntea.com or 800-441-6832.