A Note from the Director of Training & Certification

Think Big

The focus of SSPC's Training and Certification programs is to provide students with valuable knowledge and resources that can be used immediately upon their return to the job. When I look at SSPC’s demographics, I am always astounded by the range of students we reach. They come from contractors, consultants, inspectors, engineers, paint/equipment manufacturers, and structure/facility owners. I have spent 19 years working at SSPC and during that time, SSPC has been at the forefront of craftworker certification. Beginning with the groundbreaking Abrasive Blasting Program (C7) that was launched in 1998, continuing with the Spray Application Program (C12) (2006) to the Coating Application Specialist (CAS) program (2007). Over the years, SSPC has trained and certified more than 20,000 craftworkers around the world. We never could have guessed that a small non-profit founded in 1950 would have turned into the global force that we are today.

As our core constituents and key stakeholders, it’s important to us that contractors view SSPC as a partner and that the programs we develop jointly meet the needs of their companies as much as they do asset owners. I work personally with the SSPC volunteers and staff, and they are diligent about making certification programs a win-win scenario. We embrace the idea of having SSPC host training and certification programs at publicly offered events, onsite classes, as well as through our approved licensees. This gives coatings professionals in our industry the opportunity to take training at a date and location that works for them. We are passionately interested in providing training and certification programs that are both high-quality learning opportunities and easy on the budget. We want both individuals and companies to achieve training goals at a reasonable cost. In fact, every program currently offered requires six days or fewer to complete – which we feel is a key feature that minimizes time away from the job.

Thank You

Our words of thanks will continuously fall short as there are simply too many parties to include. First, I want to thank the SSPC training hosts who help make hundreds of classes happen each year. I would like to thank our sponsors and instructors who are highly devoted to making SSPC training a success. Thanks to the SSPC staff who make all of this happen day in and day out - and above all to you, our students, for making it all a reality.

Our sole mission is to have a qualified workforce protecting our bridges, pipelines, drinking water and military assets to name a few. I hope you’re as excited as I am about the 2020 training season!

Sincerely,
Jennifer Merck
Director of SSPC Training and Certification