The International Training Institute (ITI), in collaboration with the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) and the International Certification Board (ICB), has spent decades advancing high quality, industry driven training across the sheet metal industry. As workforce expectations evolve, training programs are increasingly evaluated not only on instructional quality, but on how effectively they translate into verifiable, portable credentials that demonstrate competency and support long term career progression.

This session examines how ITI training and JATC programs can be intentionally aligned with third party ICB certifications to form clear, structured credential pathways. Rather than positioning certification as a substitute for training, the session emphasizes certification as an outcome based validation of training achievements—supporting consistency, accountability, and workforce credibility while preserving full program control at the training center level.

Using established and emerging examples, including TAB and Rigging & Signalperson, presenters will outline a scalable framework for integrating certifications as capstones or milestones within existing training models. Attendees will gain clarity on roles, boundaries, and governance considerations involved in connecting training to certification, and how ITI, NEMI, and ICB collectively support a unified approach to workforce development.

Joe Potesta
Joe Pickens