ATS, Sponsorship and Support for High School/Junior College Construction Pathways

NCCER ATS Sponsorship: Overview, Benefits, and Responsibilities

Based on official NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) guidelines, below is a comprehensive explanation of NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor (ATS) sponsorship. This information is derived from NCCER’s Accredited Training Sponsor Guidelines (2022 edition), which outline the structure, requirements, and operations for organizations seeking to deliver NCCER’s standardized construction training programs.

Definition of NCCER ATS Sponsorship

An Accredited Training Sponsor (ATS) is an organization formally accredited by NCCER to deliver its standardized, competency-based training curricula in construction, maintenance, and related industries. The ATS acts as the primary entity responsible for overseeing NCCER training and credentialing, ensuring quality and compliance.

• Key Structure: The ATS can operate directly or through affiliated Training Units (TUs), which are approved commercial, non-residential sites (e.g., job sites, offices, schools, or training facilities) where actual training occurs. Each TU must have a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the ATS, detailing shared responsibilities like audits and record-sharing.
• Eligibility: Organizations (e.g., contractors, trade associations, schools, government agencies) must be in business for at least 12 months, have a commercial address, and meet facility/equipment standards. International organizations may qualify with additional approvals.
• Accreditation Process: Involves submitting an application, paying fees, providing recommendations, completing Sponsor Representative training, and passing an initial audit. Statuses include Applicant (up to 12 months), Candidate (begin training within 12 months), and Accredited (post-audit approval). Accreditation is non-transferable and requires annual maintenance.

ATS sponsorship enables organizations to provide portable, industry-recognized credentials (e.g., certificates, cards, transcripts, digital badges) upon trainees’ successful completion of module tests and performance profiles.

Benefits of NCCER ATS Sponsorship

Becoming an ATS provides several advantages for organizations, educators, and trainees:

• Standardized and Recognized Training: Access to NCCER’s competency-based curricula ensures high-quality, portable training aligned with industry standards, reducing training inconsistencies and enhancing workforce development.
• Credentialing and Record Management: Ability to issue globally recognized NCCER credentials, with automated tracking via the NCCER Registry and Testing System. This supports trainee verification and career progression.
• Expanded Delivery Options: ATS can partner with multiple TUs (e.g., job sites or schools) to scale training, including international operations (with Master Trainer oversight and potential site visits).
• Compliance and Liability Reduction: Built-in policies for security, testing integrity, and regulatory compliance (e.g., ADA, EEO) help mitigate risks, while audits ensure program quality.
• Professional Development: Training for personnel (e.g., instructors, proctors) builds internal expertise, and the system facilitates retests, accommodations, and appeals for fair processes.
• Economic and Career Impact: Supports development of skilled craft professionals, leading to better job placement, higher wages, and industry recognition. For organizations, it attracts talent and meets contractual training requirements.

Responsibilities of the Sponsor

ATS sponsorship comes with strict responsibilities to maintain accreditation and ensure program integrity. Failure to comply can result in suspension or revocation.

• Accreditation Maintenance: Submit annual reports/surveys by August 31, pay maintenance fees, notify NCCER of changes (e.g., ownership, personnel, status), and cooperate with audits (initial and every three years).
• TU Oversight: Register and approve TUs, ensure they have commercial addresses and meet facility/equipment standards, conduct audits (at least every three years), and maintain MOUs outlining shared duties (e.g., record-sharing, instructor evaluations).
• Personnel Management: Appoint and train a Sponsor Representative (primary liaison, must complete training) and Secondary Representative; evaluate certified personnel (e.g., instructors, proctors) every three years; ensure qualifications (e.g., instructors need field experience and ICTP certification).
• Training and Testing Delivery: Oversee secure testing facilities, prohibit material alterations/translations, ensure in-person administration, handle retests (e.g., two-day wait for most modules), and submit performance profiles within two years.
• Recordkeeping and Compliance: Maintain records (e.g., forms, evaluations) for at least three years; develop internal policies on security, anti-cheating, grievances, and regulations (e.g., ADA); prohibit unauthorized use of NCCER materials.
• Financial and Ethical Duties: Remain in good financial standing, avoid conflicts of interest, and adhere to penalties for violations (e.g., suspension for non-payment or non-compliance).
• International Responsibilities: For global TUs, require a Master Trainer as TU Representative and potential pre-approval site visits.

Responsibilities of a Craft Instructor Under NCCER ATS Sponsorship

Based on NCCER’s Accredited Training Sponsor (ATS) Guidelines (2022 edition), a Craft Instructor is certified by an ATS to deliver NCCER’s standardized, competency-based training in specific craft areas and levels (e.g., Carpentry Level 1). They operate under the ATS’s oversight, ensuring compliance with NCCER policies. Below is a structured summary of their key responsibilities, drawn from official guidelines.

Certification Requirements

• Obtain certification from the ATS based on validated qualifications, such as 4+ years of journey-level experience, a relevant postsecondary diploma, passing NCCER assessments, or state certification/licensure.
• Complete the Instructor Certification Training Program (ICTP) and pass required tests (via NCCER LMS or in-person by a Master Trainer).
• Maintain certification by teaching and administering at least one module test every 3 years; certification is level- and craft-specific and renews for 3 years.
• Do not proctor their own tests; ensure all certification documentation (e.g., resumes, forms) is on file with the ATS.

Training Delivery Responsibilities

• Deliver NCCER curricula exclusively at approved Training Units (TUs) with commercial addresses, ensuring facilities meet safety/equipment standards and have secure storage.
• Follow all NCCER policies for training, including in-person administration of module tests and performance profiles (hands-on evaluations).
• Verify trainee IDs, provide approved references/scratch paper (collected post-session), and prohibit unauthorized items (e.g., cell phones) to maintain testing integrity.
• Handle retests per policy (e.g., 2-day wait for most modules) and approve simulations for performance profiles if needed.
• Ensure trainees complete Registration & Release Forms before training begins and address special needs/accommodations in coordination with the Sponsor Representative.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of all materials; report any incidents (e.g., cheating) to the Sponsor Representative and NCCER Audit Department.

Record-Keeping Obligations

• Maintain accurate records for at least 3 years or until the ATS audit is cleared, including performance profile sheets, trainee forms, evaluations, and module tests (if paper-based).
• Use the NCCER Registry and Testing System for submissions and reporting; ensure all documentation is accessible for audits.
• For TUs, assist in maintaining Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and ensuring shared records (e.g., evaluations) are filed.
• Upon leaving or TU closure, return all relevant documentation to the ATS.

Evaluations

• Undergo initial and triennial evaluations by the Sponsor Representative, Secondary Sponsor Representative, or Master Trainer (if approved).
• Ensure student evaluations of the program occur at least every 3 years, documented using NCCER forms.
• Support ATS audits (initial and every 3 years) by providing access to records and demonstrating compliance.
• Do not evaluate their own performance profiles; these must be handled by certified Curriculum Performance Evaluators.

Other Obligations

• Adhere to ethical standards, avoiding conflicts of interest and never sharing NCCER login information.
• Participate in the complaints/appeals process by referring issues to the Sponsor Representative first, escalating to NCCER if unresolved.
• Comply with updates to NCCER policies between guideline publications.
• For international TUs, coordinate with a Master Trainer as TU Representative if required.
• Assist in ATS annual reporting and maintenance (e.g., surveys due by August 31) indirectly through compliance.

Failure to meet these responsibilities can result in certification suspension or revocation. Craft Instructors play a critical role in maintaining program integrity, ensuring trainees receive high-quality, standardized education that leads to portable credentials. For the most current details, refer to NCCER’s official guidelines or contact your ATS Sponsor Representative.

In summary, NCCER ATS sponsorship empowers organizations to deliver high-quality construction training but requires rigorous adherence to guidelines for accreditation maintenance.

If you would like to be sponsored by me, contact me, Donald Callaway, Director of the NCCER ATS at donaldrcallaway@icloud.com.

If you have made up your mind and want to be Sponsored, Then click on the GET ME STARTED, SET UP MY ACCOUNT and the process will begin by taking you to check list page and walk you step-by-step thru the required documentation. I look forward to working with you.

However, if you would like to work with another ATS then contact nccer.org for the national office and they will assist you.