American Welding Society Certifies NDSCS
Wahpeton, ND – The American Welding Society (AWS) has certified the North Dakota State College of Science as an Accredited Test Facility. This enables designated NDSCS Welding Technology faculty to test and certify qualified welders to the nationally recognized AWS standards.
“This designation as an AWS Accredited Test Facility is a tremendous advantage for our students,” said NDSCS Welding Technology Associate Professor Joel Johnson. “Our Welding Technology graduates will now have an AWS certification, which is recognized nationally and even worldwide.”
To become an AWS Accredited Test Facility, the NDSCS Welding
Technology department completed a two-year process to develop a Quality Manual, verify that lab equipment meets requirements and obtain Certified Welding Inspector certification for faculty. The final step in the process was an on-site audit by a third party.
In May 2017, NDSCS was awarded a $740,000 National Science Foundation grant to support the North Dakota Welds ( NDWelds) program. That grant helped to make the AWS Accredited Test Facility designation possible by supporting the investment of time and money to complete the application process.
“One of the goals of NDWelds is to unify welding standards across the state,” said NDSCS Welding Technology Associate Professor Clint Gilbertson. “Through the Accredited Test Facility, we will be able to provide certification for the current workforce, and partner with high schools to offer certification for their instructors and students.”
The NDSCS Welding Technology program will celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2020. Additional information about the program can be found online at ndscs.edu/welding.
About North Dakota State College of Science
Founded in 1903, NDSCS is the second oldest two-year comprehensive college in the nation, with locations in Wahpeton and Fargo, N.D. The College offers a variety of face-toface, distance education and online courses, as well as workforce training. NDSCS offers degrees, certificates and diplomas in more than 80 academic options in traditional career and technical studies as well as liberal arts. Additional information can be found online at ndscs.edu.