The ASNT Foundation Celebrates Department of Labor Approval of NDT Apprenticeship Guidelines

Columbus, Ohio -- The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Foundation is proud to announce the approval of the new national guideline standards for a Nondestructive Testing Technician apprenticeship. These guideline standards have been developed in collaboration with industry experts and the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to ensure comprehensive training and rich on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities for aspiring level II NDT learners. These guidelines provide a framework for developing and implementing effective apprenticeship programs that meet the evolving needs of the NDT industry.

The newly approved standards are designed to ensure apprentices acquire critical skills, knowledge, and behaviors through structured training and on-the-job learning. With this approval, the guidelines align with national quality and regulatory standards, making them an essential tool for fostering workforce development and securing federal funding and industry support.

Heather Cowles, Executive Director of the ASNT Foundation said " This approval marks one more step the ASNT Foundation is taking to support the NDT workforce. By developing resources and models like this, we can assist our partners with their training and development needs. This brings us closer to building a robust pipeline of NDT professionals prepared to meet the workforce of the future."

The ASNT Foundation is committed to educating employers, educators, and job seekers about the benefits of apprenticeships. These efforts kicked off during National Apprenticeship Week (November 17-23, 2024) with a series of webinars. These webinars highlight how the approved guidelines can streamline training programs, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and address workforce gaps identified in the Foundation’s recent industry readiness report.

Beonica Rutherford, Workforce Development Manager, added " We are excited to provide tools that enable schools and employers to build strong partnerships to implement structured, impactful apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeships will allow NDT students and job seekers the opportunity to earn and learn, reducing barriers to enter into the industry."

About the ASNT Foundation

Established in 2022, the ASNT Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing. As a not-for-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization, we rely on the generosity of our industry partners and individuals who understand the importance of nondestructive testing (NDT) and its role in creating a safer world, to support current and future generations of NDT programs through scholarships, grants, research, and workforce development.  

For more information on the webinars, visit https://foundation.asnt.org or contact Beonica Rutherford at brutherford@asnt.org . For press inquiries, please email hcowles@asnt.org