NC3 and Festo Launch Hybrid Instructor Training at TCAT–Elizabethton

In March, the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) and Festo Didactic successfully launched a new NC3 Hybrid Festo Training model at Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) – Elizabethton, creating an accelerated pathway for instructors to earn multiple industry-recognized certifications while maximizing hands-on lab time. 

The hybrid model combines self-paced online theory through Festo LX with in-person, hands-on laboratory training, allowing educators to complete foundational knowledge before arriving onsite. By shifting the theoretical coursework online in advance, instructors are able to spend their time in the lab focusing on application, troubleshooting, and real-world automation systems. 

Strong Instructor Participation and Certification Achievement 

The inaugural hybrid training brought together instructors from across the NC3 network who completed their theory coursework through Festo LX prior to arriving in Tennessee. Once onsite, participants spent four intensive days performing hands-on labs and assessments to demonstrate their skills. 

The results were impressive: 

• Fourteen instructors earned up to nine Fundamental Level certifications, completing rigorous hands-on labs after finishing their theory work through Festo LX. 

• Three additional instructors earned up to seven Introductory Level certifications, following the same hybrid learning structure. 

This achievement demonstrates the power of the hybrid model to increase certification attainment while maintaining the high standard of hands-on competency that defines NC3 training. 

Expert-Led Hands-On Training 

The hands-on portion of the training was guided by an experienced team of NC3 instructors who worked closely with participants to ensure every concept was fully understood and applied in the lab. 

NC3 Master Instructors Aubri Hanson and Anthony Hanson from Enterprise State Community College in Alabama, along with Master Instructor Shadows Justin Starr and Francis Cartier from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in Pennsylvania, led the Fundamental Level hands-on training. Their role was critical in guiding instructors through lab exercises while discussing procedures, troubleshooting techniques, and the complex applications that students often struggle with in the classroom. 

By sharing real teaching experiences and demonstrating best practices, they helped instructors deepen their understanding of both the technology and the instructional strategies needed to successfully implement the curriculum. 

The Introductory Level certifications were led by Greg Chapman of Gateway Technical College in Wisconsin, who guided instructors through the foundational concepts and practical lab activities that form the starting point for many students for Career Exploration in mechatronics and automation programs. 

Expanding Opportunities for Educators 

Building on the success of the TCAT–Elizabethton training, NC3 and Festo will expand this hybrid approach in 2026 with a special instructor professional development opportunity at Festo’s North American Headquarters in Mason, Ohio on August 3–7, 2026. 

Participants will be able to enroll in one of two certification tracks: 

• Fundamental Level Track: Earn 9 NC3 Certifications 

• Applied Level Track: Earn 7 NC3 Certifications 

In addition to the intensive hands-on training, participants will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of Festo’s advanced manufacturing operations and automated warehouse facility, offering educators a rare opportunity to see Industry 4.0 technologies operating in a real production environment. 

Register now: NC3 Festo Professional Development at Festo North American Headquarters | August 3 to 7, 2026

Preparing for the Next Generation of Skilled Technicians 

The NC3–Festo partnership continues to strengthen the national workforce pipeline by equipping educators with the skills, certifications, and instructional tools needed to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing, industrial maintenance, and automation. 

The hybrid training model ensures instructors can maximize their time in the lab while still mastering the technical theory required to teach these advanced systems, ultimately accelerating the delivery of high-quality workforce training across the NC3 network. 

---

To learn more about the Festo Program, contact Lisa Marshall.

For any questions about the Train-the-Trainer event, contact Ashley Crissman.