Welding

Mission Statement

The Associated Builders and Contractors Merit Shop Training Program, Inc., DBA Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend strives to meet the shared manpower needs of the Community, Business, and Industry by providing education for the construction industry. Our goal is to develop craft professionals who are trained and capable under the highest professional standards.

Our History

Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend (CTCCB) began as a trust of the Associated Builders and Contractors Texas Coastal Bend Chapter in 1987, and the organization was titled ABC Merit Shop Training Program, Inc., a 509 (a) (2) corporation.

CTCCB was designated a 501 (c) (3) non-profit educational organization by the Internal Revenue Service on January 19, 1989. On May 6, 1994, Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend was accredited as a training center by the Construction Education Foundation, the educational affiliate of Associated Builders and Contractors. All curricula were entitled the “Wheels of Learning” which later became the Contren® Learning Series, the curricula used currently.

In November 1995, the Construction Education Foundation changed its name to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), affiliated with the University of Florida, and Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend was then accredited as an NCCER training and assessment center. Today, Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend is an accredited training and assessment center with NCCER, offering training in welding, pipefitting, instrument fitting/instrument technology, industrial painting, scaffold-building, crane operations, field safety/safety technology, and industry assessments in all craft areas.

CTCCB is also the administrator for the Associated Builders and Contractors Plumbing and Electrical Registered Apprenticeship programs, registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. All instructional delivery and documentation of training occurs through Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend.

CTCCB is funded by man-hour contributions from local industry partners. Contributions from industrial partners enable the CTCCB to keep the tuition and fees low in order to allow more students access to craft training. CTCCB is dedicated to providing its students a quality education at an affordable cost. CTCCB’s ultimate goal is to provide students a chance to learn a craft and become a member of a skilled workforce.