Salt Lake City, UT – The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) and NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association (NATE) today jointly announce the strategic assignment of the NWSA Telecommunications Tower Technician (TTT) Practical Exam Program to NATE.
The NWSA TTT Practical Exam Program was developed by industry subject matter experts and was originally included as an assessment component of NWSA’s TTT trade certifications. The program was sunset last year in favor of enhanced written examinations, and due to the recognized value of the program’s content, NWSA and NATE have now repositioned the program to preserve it for use as a training resource aimed at advancing workforce development within the communications infrastructure industry.
This collaborative effort underscores both organizations’ unwavering commitment to promoting safety, enhancing skills, and fostering a highly competent workforce crucial for the deployment and maintenance of critical wireless infrastructure.
The NWSA TTT Practical Exam Program was designed to assess the hands-on competencies of tower technicians, contributing significantly to a safer and more proficient workforce. By transferring this robust content to NATE, it will now be repurposed and integrated into NATE’s extensive workforce development initiatives, providing a resource for both new and experienced tower professionals.
“This is a pivotal moment for workforce development in our industry,” said Duane MacEntee, NWSA Executive Director. “The NWSA TTT Practical Exam Program was designed to ensure technicians possess the essential practical skills needed to perform safe and quality work. By entrusting this content to NATE, an organization with a proven track record in industry advocacy, we are ensuring its continued impact on a broader scale, reaching even more individuals seeking to enter or advance within the tower technician profession.”
“NATE is honored to receive this critical content from the NWSA,” stated Todd Schlekeway, NATE President & CEO. “The NWSA TTT Practical Exam Program represents a gold standard in practical skills assessment. Integrating this material into NATE’s comprehensive training resources will significantly bolster our efforts for our members to facilitate high-quality, relevant, and accessible training to the current and future generations of tower technicians. This collaboration is a testament to our shared vision of a highly skilled and safety-conscious workforce that meets the evolving demands of our dynamic industry.”
This transfer of content will allow NATE to develop and disseminate enhanced training curriculums, practical exercises, and educational materials that directly reflect the essential skills and safety protocols previously evaluated by the NWSA TTT Practical Exam.
Both organizations will work closely during a transition period to ensure a seamless transfer of materials and to identify opportunities for further collaboration on future workforce development initiatives.