Historical Highlights of Training at SSPC

Taking a trip back through SSPC’s history, we can see why the Society for Protective Coatings has reached the commendable achievement of being in business for 70 years. SSPC’s education programming began in 1987, first launched as tutorials at the SSPC annual conference. That year, two tutorials were offered: one on coating inspection and one on coating costs. These were followed in subsequent years by an expanding line-up of tutorials on a range of subjects. These tutorials evolved over the years into what we now refer to as Workshops at our annual conference.

Six years later in 1993, SSPC expanded its role in education significantly by developing a course for the standard education of its members. This flagship training, Fundamentals of Protective Coatings or “C1” as it is commonly known is the cornerstone of the SSPC training curriculum. It is the starting point for those entering the protective coatings industry. C1 was originally written by Dr. Dick Drisko, Senior Technical Advisor for SSPC. In 1995 Dr. Drisko also served as the first instructor for the course, along with colleagues Tony Cunningham, Crone Knoy and Steve Pinney. The course was created to address a need for basic coatings skills and knowledge that was lacking in the market at the time; it was thought that there might be a market for basic coatings training for new entrants to the industry, especially those who were not going to necessarily pursue higher-level training or certification. C1 provides just such a practical and basic overview for those who are new to the protective coatings industry. However, it can also serve as a refresher for those who want to review the basics of corrosion protection.

This glimpse into the history of SSPC’s training programs will give you an idea of the full depth of accomplishments the training and certification department has achieved over the years. And under efficient leadership, forward thinking innovation and unbreakable teamwork, the training department continues to churn out more and more milestones, keeping up with the demands of the industry.

For a complete list of SSPC training from A-Z please click here.