EDUCATION CONSIDERATIONS
February 21, 2020
SSPC and NACE International are mutually committed to delivering high quality, up-to-date training and educational programming with the goal of producing the very best coatings professionals in the world. As a combined organization this commitment will not waver.
The following are a few of the recent questions we have been asked by members and instructors. If you have additional questions, please send them to us and we will address them in a future email update.
What will happen to current initiatives related to updating and upgrading existing educational programs?
If the decision is made to combine SSPC and NACE, all current efforts focused on the improvement and advancement of courses and training will continue under each organization without interruption until the combination is complete. Once completed, these initiatives will continue within the new organizations.
How and when will courses be integrated and who will guide the process?
Changes to courses would not be made in the short-term. Member-led task groups composed of subject matter experts and staff will determine how overlapping programs will be affected and will be tasked with ensuring the best of both programs is incorporated into the final product .
Will existing training licenses and agreements continue to be in effect in a combined association?
The intent is to continue engaging with existing licensees and instructors to meet the anticipated growth in demand of training and education programs.
Will instructors have to go through any additional training if the organizations combine?
Yes. But this would occur whether the organizations are combined or not, as both SSPC and NACE are committed to regular updates and improvements to their education programs. As part of these efforts, ongoing instructor training is important. As to specific training required as a result of combined programs, it would not take place immediately, but once overlapping courses and training programs have been combined, instructors will receive training focused on any areas that did not previously overlap.
Will instructors still be able to teach the courses they currently teach?
Yes. Instructors will still be able to teach the courses that they’re currently approved to teach. If they want to become approved for additional courses, they will need training to address differences in course material.
What will happen to the training facilities used by both organizations?
The current expectation is that training facilities will remain operational, and the combined organizations will optimize the use of all the facilities.
What will happen to my certification?
All certifications will still be valid following the combination of the organizations. Member-led task groups will determine what, if any, changes would happen with regard to certifications, including renewals related to overlapping programs.
Following is a timeline of upcoming discussion-related milestones.
- February 24 – NACE Board of Directors holds update meeting
- March 14 – NACE Board of Directors Meeting
- March 16 – NACE Town Hall at CORROSION 2020 – 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. CST
- March 17 – NACE Town Hall at CORROSION 2020 – 3:15 – 4:45 p.m. CST
- March 18 – NACE Town Hall at CORROSION 2020 – 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. CST
- March 19 – NACE Town Hall at CORROSION 2020 – 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. CST
- April 3 – 17 – Proposed SSPC and NACE member votes
If you have any questions please contact [email protected] or submit comments using the SSPC-NACE Feedback form.
Please check your inbox next Friday, February 28 for Update #8 – Membership Considerations Q&A – Part 2
You can find more insight into ongoing discussions and hear member questions in the videos from the Town Hall meetings at SSPC’s Coatings+ conference. You can also hear more about it from SSPC Executive Director, Bill Worms and NACE CEO, Bob Chalker in a podcast interview with Carboline recorded live at Coatings+.