At Curry Supply we are dedicated to finding ways to encourage employees to expand their knowledge and improve their skills. Employee development helps organizations build stronger teams, retain employees, and produce better business. Curry Skill Enhancement and Employee Development (S.E.E.D.) Program in our welding department began in April 2023, crafted to steer individuals towards their ultimate career objectives within the organization. This initiative offers welders a definitive roadmap outlining career expectations, delineating essential technical skills, and integrating customized training programs along with skills assessments. Through each phase of this program, Curry Supply supports welders through each step of their development, promoting both personal and professional advancement within the team. The curriculum is structured into three phases, with each phase focusing on progressive coursework. Phase I covers foundational concepts, Phase II delves into intermediate topics, and Phase III culminates in advanced coursework.  These phases ensure a comprehensive and systematic approach to skill development over the program’s duration.

Welder Classes, Program Requirements, and Skills Assessments

Each welder is divided into different classes based on their skill set. The Class I Welder position serves as the entry level within the S.E.E.D. program. This class accommodates individuals with typically less than two years of experience in welding. Individuals possess a fundamental comprehension of welding techniques and grinding practices. Welders are expected to demonstrate proficiency in basic weld assessments, ensuring they can execute welding tasks to a satisfactory standard. Additionally, competence in reading and interpreting measurements using a tape measure is essential. Beyond existing skills, the individual must possess a strong willingness to learn and develop their capabilities. The Class I Welder represents the foundational tier of the SEED program, providing a platform for growth and advancement within the organization’s welding operations.

A Class II Welder, typically has two to seven years of experience, occupies a mid-level skill within the welding profession. The range of skills include welding, grinding, and blueprint reading. Moreover, individuals are adept at setting up and troubleshooting welding machines. Their capability to train others, indicating a level of expertise and proficiency that extends beyond their own work, is crucial within this tier. Class II Welders are known for their ability to work autonomously with minimal direction, showcasing a level of independence and self-reliance in their tasks. Often, this tier takes on leadership responsibilities within their shop area, serving as leads and guiding others in their work. The second tier represents a progression pathway within the program where individuals with this level of experience and skill serve as mentors and leaders for newer participants.

Finally, Class III Welder is the senior level within the S.E.E.D. program, and typically requires over seven years of experience in the field. Individuals at this level are expected to possess mastery in all welding fabrication processes. The program encompasses welding across various materials, adeptness in grinding techniques, proficiency in blueprint interpretation, and ability to perform advanced machine setup and troubleshooting tasks. This tier serves as leaders within the program, sharing their expertise and experience with junior welders to facilitate growth and development in the field. As the third tier of the S.E.E.D. Program, Class III Welders represent the culmination of extensive experience and proficiency in welding, contributing significantly to the program’s objectives of fostering talent and expertise in the welding industry.

Training and Certifications

The NTEA Work Truck Industry Welder Certification Program is collaborative effort between Lincoln Electric Educational Partner School (LEEPS) and NTEA partnership program. This offers a comprehensive pathway for individuals seeking certification in the welding industry. Program content is crafted by Lincoln Electric and chosen by NTEA to ensure the highest standards of education and training. Certified LEEPS facilitators, Curtis Hoover, and James Goetz, play a crucial role in delivering this curriculum to welders. The National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) serves as the certifying body for LEEPS, ensuring that all certificates issued bear the esteemed seals of Lincoln Electric and NC3.

The current LEEPS/NTEA Work Truck Industry Welder Certifications cover a range of topics, including Welding Safety, Principles of Welding, and Advanced Gas Metal Arc Welding. This summer we intend to add Fabrication I and II to the training program.  Participants undergo both online summative and formative assessments, with three attempts provided to achieve a passing grade of seventy percent. Practical welding exercises, spanning various positions such as 1G, 2G, 2F, 3F, 3G, and 4F, complement the theoretical learning, providing hands-on experience crucial for skill development.

Looking ahead, NTEA anticipates expanding its offerings to include additional certifications in advanced welding content, further enriching the program and providing welders with opportunities for continuous growth and specialization within the industry.

In-House Welder Training initiative offers a flexible approach to skill development within our organization. This training is held voluntarily twice a month on Friday mornings and lasts three to four hours each. There are multiple offerings of the same subject conducted in smaller groups, which accommodate up to fifteen participants per session, to cater to the diverse needs of nearly 50 welders across various departments. This training is formatted with a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among our welders as it merges training activities across different shops, including tank, flatbed, and rail. By pooling resources and expertise, it creates opportunities for team building, cross-training, and the sharing of techniques among peers.

The training progression follows a structured curriculum, starting with Welding Safety, which consists of 10 lessons, 4 lab activities, and a final exam. Principles of Welding follows with 17 lessons, 11 lab activities, and an exam. Lastly, the focus shifts to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) with 12 lessons, 12 lab activities, an observational assessment, and a concluding exam. This systematic approach ensures comprehensive coverage of essential welding skills while allowing for hands-on practice and assessment of proficiency.

The training program encompasses a diverse range of welding topics, starting with fundamental aspects such as Welding Safety and the Principles of Welding. S.E.E.D. Program Participants progress through introductory and advanced levels of Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), gaining proficiency in each technique. The program also offers supplementary training in essential skills including Basic Welding Print Reading, Welding Math and Measurement, and Fabrication techniques across multiple levels.

AWS D1.1 Certification for Flux Core welding includes two options for testing, with only one of the following tests required. The primary assessment involves D1.1: 3/4G, which assesses Vertical and Overhead Groove Welds on a 1-inch plate without backing. This certification qualifies welders to work with all thicknesses without the need for backing. Visual inspection by a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is conducted, followed by bend testing at the Greater Career and Technology Center (GACTC) facility. Alternatively, for those who typically utilize backing in their daily work, a secondary assessment is available. This involves the same D1.1: 3/4G test, but with a 1-inch plate and a 1/4-inch back plate. As with the primary assessment, visual inspection by a CWI is performed, followed by bend testing at the GACTC for certification.

Benefits of the Program

AWS certifications offer a multitude of benefits within the welding industry. These certifications adhere to rigorous standards accepted not only in the United States but also in many major industrial countries worldwide, establishing them as the professional benchmark for welding quality control. Through comprehensive training and on-the-job experience, individuals can achieve vertical growth within their careers, advancing to higher levels of expertise and responsibility. Additionally, many off-site training opportunities are fully reimbursable through programs like WedNet-PA, facilitating access to further education and skill development. Alli Creany serves as the point of contact (POC) and administrator for coordinating these certification processes, streamlining the path for welders to enhance their career.

AWS certifications offer a tangible pathway for our team members to embody these qualities in their welding careers. Pursuing these certifications, individuals demonstrate their commitment to excellence and their willingness to continually improve their skills. Curry Supply ensures that our workforce has access to the resources and support needed to pursue professional growth opportunities. Through this investment in certification and training, Curry Supply empowers its team members to fearlessly tackle new challenges, remain driven towards success, and prove their capabilities as leaders in the welding industry, embodying our ethos every step of the way.

Annual Employee Reviews

During employee annual reviews at Curry Supply, training and career progress are mapped out in detail to ensure continuous growth and development within the organization. These reviews involve interactive discussions between supervisors and employees, to foster open communication and collaboration. Welders enrolled in the S.E.E.D. program, career progression planning is mandatory for Class I and II welders. Key aspects include setting and discussing short and long-term career goals, evaluating current strengths and weaknesses, and devising strategies to address areas for improvement. Supervisors provide valuable feedback on annual performance and formulate plans to advance qualifications and enhance skills over the next year. This involves discussing and scheduling both internal and external training opportunities tailored to each employee’s needs. Following the review, documentation is completed and signed, ensuring that the employee’s progress is documented in their ADP file for future reference. Class III welders, annual reviews place greater emphasis on management and leadership development. Through this comprehensive review process, Curry Supply nurtures a culture of continuous learning and professional advancement, aligning with its commitment to fostering the growth and success of its workforce.

Conclusion

Our team is deeply committed to fostering a culture of skill enhancement and employee development within its welding division through the innovative S.E.E.D. Program. In April 2023, this program was launched to provide a structured pathway for welders to achieve their career objectives while aligning with Curry Supply’s core values of fearlessness, drive, and proven performance. By offering a definitive roadmap and integrating customized training programs, Curry Supply empowers welders to navigate their career progression with clarity and confidence. The S.E.E.D. Program’s three-phase curriculum ensures a systematic approach to skill development, from foundational concepts to advanced techniques, fostering both personal and professional growth. Curry Supply’s collaboration with industry partners such as Lincoln Electric and NTEA further enriches training opportunities, ensures that welders receive the highest standard of education and certification. Through annual employee reviews, Curry Supply continues to invest in its workforce, mapping out training and career progress with meticulous detail and providing ongoing support for advancement. The Curry Supply Team not only cultivates a stronger, more capable team but also reaffirms our commitment to excellence and innovation in the welding industry.