Since October of 2007, NTI has been offering the CSWA exam to the NTI students and alumni for free.  This is continuing.  This page is going to be dedicated to publishing our testing dates and training dates.

Testing:

• The schedule testing date are the Monday following the end of each semester The exam itself is a 3 hour timed test. 

Training:

• The training is comprised of four (3 hour) lab classes followed by the examination.  The objective of the training is to help people prepare for and pass the CSWA exam. The class dates are split up to allow students the opportunity to use SolidWorks in between labs to apply what they have learned. This class is not intended to make you SolidWorks experts although the test is about your knowledge of SolidWorks.

Fees:

Note: All CSWA courses include the test.

• NTI Students and Alumni:  $750.00
• All other persons:  $1500.00
• Fee is due the first day of class

Schedule:

• 12/7    1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• 12/9    1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• 12/14   1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• 12/16   1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• 12/17 CSWA Exam Day.  Must start @ 1:00 pm

Registration:

• email Chris MacCormack atcmaccormack@nti.edu, Subject: NTI CSWA Training
• Upon receipt of your request, Chris MacCormack will send out the course syllabus and registration form.
• Complete the form and fax it back to Chris MacCormack. Your spot will NOT be reserved until this form is received.
• A confirmation will be emailed to you by December 2.
• If there are not enough people the class will be postponed.

Instructors:

• Chris MacCormack:  952.944.0080 ext 134
• Dan Podzimek:  952.944.0080 ext 111

After every CSWA exam I provide here at NTI, I like to congratulate the newest of the CSWA’s.  Today we had another great showing:

Starting off with Jessica Lewardowski who destroyed the test with the perfect 100% – Definitely in a class of the elite.

Others who are now proud recipients of the Certified SolidWorks Associate certificate include:

Ryan (never got his last name)

Cortney Gamlin (Graduate from the architecture program)

Thomas Hardenburgh (Graduate from the engineering program)

To all of these individuals, know that NTI is proud of your efforts and skill.  Keep in touch.

Thanks for a fantastic day to all of those who tested. 

To the participants of the NTI fall 2008 CSWA testing completed on Monday October 20, 2008;

Awesome job!!!!.

I have blogged several times about the CSWA exam but this time we had a group of people who completely annihilated the national passing average.  NTI had 12 of 13 students pass the exam and 3 perfect exams.  Those individuals are Jordan Lewis, Bill Jugovich and Nick Mickalek. 

In my course, I attempt to relay the importance of being able to quantify what you say.  Passing this exam is an example of being able to quantify your statement I know how to use SolidWorks Comprehensive 3D Design software.  Yesterday 12 people attained an industry recognized certificate that also helps them to quantify their skills.

For those of you who chose not to take the exam I am a little disappointed.  You came to NTI to get into the exciting and rewarding career of Product Design and Engineering Technology.  I work tirelessly to find new ways to help you set yourselves apart from other graduates in this field.  This exam is one opportunity for you to do just that.  You need to take every opportunity to set yourself apart from your competitors.

You will find in this field that their are many different certificates to be attained that will set you apart from your colleagues.  Those who take the initiative to prepare for and pass these certificates will find more rewards to come.  Those who chose not to take that kind of initiative will get left behind. 

With new innovations, technology and the every present global economy, we can never think we are no longer students.  If you are not learning you are falling behind and an exponential rate.  Over  the last year I can tell you that I have learned at least 5 new things a day.  Some of those lessons are taught to me by the students.  Others are from the research I have done to prepare curriculum that will engage a majority of my class.

Anyway, (enough soap box), I really want everyone in our building to congratulate our CSWA’s.  There are quite a few here now.  The new CSWA’s: Wayne Borden, Jenna Powers, John Henneman, Arlan Jobe, Sean Stoeckel, Issac Roberts, (One of the Gesch Brothers), Cory Christofferson, Carl Monson, Jordan Lewis, Bill Jugovich & Nick Mickalek.  These folks have earned my respect.