Oct. 14, 2015—I-CAR now offers its industry-recognized Welding Training and Certification program as a curriculum option at career and technical schools.
By offering the I-CAR steel and aluminum welding courses, I-CAR-approved and -licensed educators can deliver the courses in an academic setting. Students who successfully complete an I-CAR welding course, in addition to the Professional Development Program—Education Edition (PDP-EE) , will graduate with the skills that employees are looking for.
The Welding Training and Certification for educators is based on the same training curriculum that I-CAR offers to the collision repair industry. Successfully passing the skills portion of the curriculum will earn students I-CAR’s professional welding certificate, which is valid for five years. Taught in conjunction with the PDP-EE, approved educators are authorized to deliver the I-CAR Welding Training and Certification program in their career and technical schools
“The Welding Training & Certification for Educators creates a more robust collision repair training program for schools,” said I-CAR senior director of segment development, Bill Stage. “It enables career and technical schools to fuel the industry with highly-qualified entry-level non-structural technicians. Today, 64 percent of professional technicians have not completed I-CAR’s steel welding training. The Educator program will contribute to getting every technician that welds properly trained, something the industry desperately needs.”
Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing program at Fox Valley Technical College (Appleton, Wis.) is the first of its kind to include the I-CAR Welding Training and Certification program. Launched in the Spring of the 2015/2016 academic year, the college offers both steel and aluminum welding options.
“Fox Valley is proudly teaching the I-CAR Professional Development Program – Education Edition curriculum. With the addition of the welding program, students at Fox Valley wishing to pursue a career in collision repair will benefit from a more complete program geared toward development in sought-after skills, including welding of both structural and non-structural vehicle components.” said Jerry Goodson, collision repair and refinishing instructor, Fox Valley Technical College. “Students graduating with the I-CAR welding certificate will further increase their credentials, leading to more opportunities with potential employers.”
Career and Technical schools that would like to be approved to deliver I-CAR Welding Training & Certification can apply on the I-CAR website. Program information will also be available at SEMA 2015 at the I-CAR booth No. 10873.
