The American Welding Society (AWS) launched the first-ever online certification program for welding sales professionals this spring. The certification serves to recognize experience, knowledge and excellence in welding sales expertise.
“The AWS Welding Sales Representative Certification sets apart the elite sales professionals from the rest of the pack,” said Cassie Burrell, AWS Deputy Executive Director. “Being able to take the course and test online will make it more convenient for sales reps to obtain the certification and will show their commitment to help customers find new solutions and ways to improve their welding quality and productivity, as well as help provide a safe workplace.”
The seminar will be available through AWS’s new online welding university – American Welding Online. The site currently houses the Online Certified Welding Sales Representative seminar and examination, allowing participants access to the course materials and examination twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Sales professionals interested in being the best and most successful in the industry and who meet the program’s requirements may take the 20+ hour, self paced, online seminar, then attempt a two-hour exam to establish credentials. Seminar and examination topics will establish the sales person’s level of knowledge concerning five arc welding processes, brazing and soldering, cutting, safety in process and gas cylinder handling, AWS filler metal classifications, shielding gas applications, welding terminology, ventilation, electrical requirements for power sources, and welding procedures and their qualification.
Prerequisites for the AWS Certified Welding Sales Representative online program include a high school diploma or equivalent and at least five years’ experience in an occupational function in direct relation to the sales of welding equipment, cutting equipment, and supplies of other related services; OR at least two years’ of the same experience PLUS a training certificate of completion for welding processes. Completion of the AWS Certified Welding Sales Representative seminar fulfills this training certificate requirement. Therefore, by taking the seminar, a sales representative with between two to five years’ relevant experience would be qualified to take the exam.
For those wishing to take the seminar and test in person, convenient examination dates are scheduled throughout the country. In addition, the seminar can be taken at your workplaces for groups of sales personnel.
About AWS
The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919 as a multifaceted, nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the science, technology and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, and led by a volunteer organization of officers and directors, AWS serves more than 67,000 members worldwide and is composed of 22 Districts with 250 Sections and student chapters.
For more information, visit the society’s website at http://www.aws.org.
