RETIRED BUT REPURPOSED – The NWSA Practical Exam Program has found a new training role with NATE.
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) and NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association jointly announced today the strategic transfer of the NWSA Telecommunications Tower Technician (TTT) Practical Exam Program to NATE.
Originally developed by industry subject matter experts, the TTT Practical Exam Program was a key component of NWSA’s certification process, designed to assess the hands-on competencies of tower technicians.
NWSA TTT practical examinations ended on January 1, 2024. NWSA found that it can leverage technology for a written-only testing approach that was previously unavailable. The streamlined capabilities of the NWSA testing further the ability of industry employers and employees to easily schedule certification exams around work obligations without incurring travel and lodging expenses.
Although the program was officially sunset last year in favor of enhanced written examinations, its content was recognized for its enduring value. As a result, NWSA and NATE have repositioned the program as a training resource to support workforce development across the communications infrastructure sector.
This collaborative initiative reflects both organizations’ long-standing commitment to promoting safety, elevating workforce skill levels, and fostering a pipeline of highly competent professionals essential to the deployment and maintenance of the nation’s wireless infrastructure.
By assigning the program to NATE, the TTT Practical Exam’s content will be repurposed and incorporated into NATE’s extensive training and workforce development efforts. This ensures continued access to high-quality, hands-on training tools for both new entrants and experienced professionals in the tower industry.
“This is a pivotal moment for workforce development in our industry,” said Duane MacEntee, Executive Director of NWSA. “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 to provide high-quality, relevant, and accessible training to 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.”
With this transfer, NATE will be positioned to develop and distribute enhanced training curricula, practical exercises, and educational materials that reflect the critical safety and technical competencies formerly evaluated through the NWSA TTT Practical Exam.
Both organizations will work closely during the transition period to ensure a seamless handoff of the materials and to explore additional opportunities for collaboration on future workforce development initiatives.