NDT skills complement the trades at Valmont by creating multi-skilled technicians who can inspect and maintain high-value assets, ensuring welds, joints, and materials meet strict safety standards without damaging essential products and structures.
The new registered apprenticeship program allows Valmont employees to earn NDT degrees while remaining employed at the company. This program, launching on December 1, marks Tennessee’s first NDT-registered apprenticeship, an addition to ChattState’s ongoing partnerships with Valmont and other employers.
Registered Apprenticeship director Pam Gitta said these partnerships benefit employers by closing skills gaps in the existing workforce.
“When we join forces with local employers, everyone benefits,” she said. “By investing in their employees, our partners are investing in retention, growth, and the well-being of their teams.”
ChattState’s NDT program is the only program in the United States accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which sets the standard for excellence.
ChattState’s Workforce Development division offers customizable training and registered apprenticeships for employers seeking to upskill their teams. To learn more, contact Pam Gitta at pamela.gitta@chattanoogastate.edu or (423) 697-3320.