NASSCO certification programs, including the Pipeline Assessment Certification Program and Inspector Training Certification Program for manhole and CIPP technologies, continue to grow every year. In 2024, enrollments in NASSCO’s PACP/LACP/MACP courses alone grew 23%, with 4,200 individuals successfully completing the initial certification course during those 12 months.
With the introduction of new NASSCO certification programs, including the Building Sewer and Drain Inspection Course, which was introduced in February, along with the soon-to-be released Drain Cleaning Certification Course, we don’t see the number of industry professionals coming to NASSCO to further their education and achieve credentials slowing down anytime soon.
While some NASSCO courses (specifically BSDI, Drain Cleaning, and PACP and ITCP recertification courses) are offered as self-paced, online courses, the majority of NASSCO courses still rely on quality human instruction, whether it be in person or virtual, with NASSCO-certified trainers. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that these trainers have access to all of the tools and support they need to make the learning experience for NASSCO students a positive one.
To support our NASSCO-certified trainers and their unique dedication to our students and programs, we have introduced the NASSCO Trainer Leadership Program aimed at further developing presentation skills, providing knowledge about trending assessment and rehabilitation technologies, and sharing other information. These structured train-the-trainer sessions allow NASSCO-certified trainers to share insights with students attending their classes, and provide them time to meet and collaborate with other certified trainers to collectively identify where improvements can be made, share similar successes and challenges in the classroom, and learn from peers.
It also allows trainers to stay up to date on ever-changing course content. NASSCO’s training programs are dynamic, with continual updates and improvements to curriculum, software and training tools. Participation in NASSCO’s Trainer Leadership Program events will keep trainers informed about changes to training content, platforms used to manage classes, and class procedures, and is critical to their personal success as well as that of the many students who are certified each year.
NASSCO’s inaugural Trainer Leadership Program event was held April 10, as part of NASSCO’s Annual Conference in Huntington Beach, California. In addition to an intensive day of skills development, trainers were given the opportunity to network with national and international underground infrastructure professionals, vote on important NASSCO initiatives, and participate in an important discussion on health and safety.
We strongly encourage every trainer to participate in NASSCO’s Trainer Leadership Program for industry recognition and to become the best NASSCO-certified trainers they can be. Visit nassco.org/nassco-certified-trainers.
Sheila Joy is executive director of NASSCO. She can be reached at director@nassco.org.
