Today leaders from the NACE International Institute and representatives of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 88 are convening in Houston to initiate the Audit Standard-3 (AS-3) accreditation process for IUPAT’s facilities across the U.S.

Upon completion of this thorough process, IUPAT will become the first to achieve the NACE International Institute Contractor Accreditation Program (NIICAP) AS-3 accreditation which is the most rigorous accreditation for training facilities focused on the coating applicator workforce.

"The NACE accreditation demonstrates the facility provides the highest level of professional, comprehensive and real-world training. Employers can feel confident that graduates from our now-accredited facility are highly skilled workers who will get the job done well and safely," said IUPAT General President Ken Rigmaiden.

NIICAP is the premier, industry-driven and industry managed accreditation program to validate a contractor's quality assurance program, support practices, and production processes. The NIICAP process is transparent, industry-driven and customer-focused from the top down, which has resulted in a robust accreditation program that endorses only coating contractors who have demonstrated capabilities and competencies necessary to meet owner requirements.

The program is guided by NIICAP Standards AS-1, AS-2, and AS-3. Each standard is detailed and leaves no question as to the basis of each audit of contractors’ administrative records and on-site operations and performance. The AS-3 standard applies to both contractor facilities, and to independent training organizations.

The accreditation process includes a thorough application process, on-site inspection of business practices and a project site audit overseen by NIICAP contracted third-party auditors with significant experience and expertise in the practices being audited.

"NACE International and the NACE Institute share many mutual goals with IUPAT, specifically, ensuring the professionals we serve are provided with the best quality training, education, and recognition," said NACE International Institute Executive Director, Helena Seelinger. "The IUPAT training programs change lives. IUPAT is taking a significant step to ensure its members and the customers they serve receive verified, top quality capabilities, and we are excited to work with IUPAT on this endeavor."