Lincoln Electric Forms LEEPS™ Program and Announces First LEEPS Award Recipient

Brett Camacho, a welding instructor at Fresno City College, Fresno, Calif., won the first Lincoln Electric Education Partner Schools (LEEPS) Instructor of the Year Award.

The Lincoln Electric Co., Cleveland, Ohio, joined forces with the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) to form the LEEPS program (leeps@lincolnelectric.com), which will provide schools with instructional materials and resources to help the next generation of welders.

 “[Camacho] rose above the other award candidates because his program exemplifies everything the LEEPS welding certification program stands for, including train the trainer, advancing and using new welding technology, and advocating for welding certifications and industry-recognized credentials,” said Dan Klingman, manager of educational programming at Lincoln Electric.

Brett Camacho (left) won the inaugural LEEPS Instructor of the Year Award.

Along with a trophy, Camacho received the Lincoln Electric POWER MIG® 215 MPi™ multiprocess welding machine. He was also named a member of the LEEPS Advisory Committee. The committee provides input on the in-demand skills and certifications needed by industry and supports the development, improvement, and implementation of the LEEPS welding program curriculum, among other tasks. Committee members serve two-year terms.