How to Become Part of the NC3 Network

There are two levels of engagement for education institutions:
NC3 Leadership Schools (or members) and NC3 Certification Centers.


Membership Levels | Full Benefits

Click the + symbols below to learn more about the NC3 Leadership School and & Certification Center resource access.


Certification Center

Entry-level participation designed for high schools, colleges, and other education institutions looking to offer certifications on a small scale and limited budget.

Leadership School

High-level participation designed for leading, competitive education institutions who want to shape, elevate, and model world-class CTE learning as a National Center of Excellence, partner closely with global industry leaders, and leverage the advancements of the NC3 network.

Instructor Training
  • Instructor access to NC3's nationally-recognized Train-the-Trainer events and access to certification curriculum
Industry Partner Access
  • Discounted equipment/kit purchasing
  • Partner affiliation - includes opportunities for cross-promotion, co-branding, partner signage, web marketing, etc.
Turnkey Certification System
  • Use of NC3's certification system (LMS) and supporting materials for implementing NC3 industry-driven certifications
  • Unlimited student certification issuance for all NC3 certifications
Vision & Benchmarking
  • Custom benchmarking and consultation tours to NC3 model campuses and programs
  • Serve as National Center of Excellence model for other schools
  • Senior administration collaboration opportunities with the NC3 network of leading educators and industry partners
Events & Activities
  • Exclusive participation in the NC3 National Signing Day Event
  • Senior administration invitation to the NC3 Annual Leadership Summit
Exclusive Certification Programs
  • Exclusive program participation in partnership with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, Trane Commercial, Lincoln Electric, Kubota TECH, as well as Festo Didactic Applied and Advanced Programs
  • Achieve Center of Excellence status for Trane, Lincoln Electric, GreenApple Labs by Greenlee, and Festo Didactic Labs
  • Marketing Resources
    • School logo on the NC3 website
    • Complimentary NC3 marketing and signage package for labs and classrooms
    Instructor Training
    • Instructor access to NC3's nationally-recognized Train-the-Trainer events and access to certification curriculum
    • Professional development opportunities for instructors to become a national NC3 Master Instructor to train other instructors
    Turnkey Certification System
    • Use of NC3's certification system (LMS) and supporting materials for implementing NC3 industry-driven certifications
    • Unlimited student certification issuance for all NC3 certifications
    Industry Partner Access
    • Discounted equipment/kit purchasing
    • Partner affiliation - includes opportunities for cross-promotion, co-branding, partner signage, web marketing, etc.
    • Shape new certifications and participate in national forums with other NC3 partners with respect to industry innovations and R&D and curriculum development

    Membership Costs

    Both NC3 Leadership Schools and Certification Centers have access to free student certifications.
    No student will be charged for any NC3 certifications.

    NC3 Certification Center

    An NC3 Certification Center has no cost to be a part of, it's just a lower level of engagement within the NC3 network with limited access to NC3 resources. Certification Centers offer a limited amount of certifications and kit purchasing. They do not participate in Visioning & Benchmarking tours, have access to Marketing Resources, or participate in Exclusive Industry Programs/Events at a national level.

    NC3 Leadership (Member) School

    The annual NC3 Leadership School fee for a membership is $5,000.

    The real benefit of becoming a Leadership School vs. a Certification Center is having presidential and leadership participation in the NC3 network, access to all of NC3’s industry partners, NC3’s exclusive certification programs, strategic planning and benchmarking resources, and best practices and collaboration with other education leaders.

    Note, there are also district membership options available for secondary or post-secondary school districts.