THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CERTIFICATION IN ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES

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Workforce Retention through Professional
Certification
2005 WASHTO-X VIDEO CONFERENCE Leonard Bud
Darby, PE NICET Civil Engineering Programs
Administrator [phone] Ext.
120 bdarby_at_nicet.org webwww.nicet.org
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Motivators
Motivation/Retention
achievement recognition work itself responsibility
advancement growth
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supervision company policy working
conditions salary peer relationship security
Hygiene Factors
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Construction Certifications Coalition Values of
Certification

• Provides a RECOGNIZED certification of skills and
  knowledge resulting in increased professional
  stature
• Provides increased opportunities for JOB GROWTH,
  ADVANCEMENT ACHIEVEMENT
• Provides RESPECT and RECOGNITION of individuals
  and firms who demonstrate high knowledge, skills
  and experience levels
• Provides a marketable credential that can be
  PROUDLY displayed to employer or client

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RETENTION CONNECTION

• Job Growth/Achievement/Advancement
• Responsibility, Respect and Recognition
• Documented Proficiency/Competency
• Pride in Accomplishments/Credential

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Licensure/Certification/Certificate

• LICENSURE a legal credential conferred by
  federal, state or local government authorities
• CERTIFICATION/QUALIFICATION an independent
  performance based credential based on proof of
  demonstrated competency through a handson
  performance test and/or repeatable and reliable
  written testing
• TRAINING CERTIFICATE a Diploma conferred by an
  educational institution or a training entity that
  verifies course attendance or completion

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CERTIFICATION PROGRAM STANDARDS MAKERS

•   National Commission for Certifying
  Agencies (NCCA)
• National Association for Competency
  Assurance (NOCA)
• Council of Engineering and Related
  Scientific Programs
• Council on Licensure, Enforcement and
  Regulation (CLEAR)
• International Standards Organization (ISO)
• American National Standards Institute
  (ANSI)
• ASTM Designation E329-98 Standard
  Specification of Agencies Engaged in the
  Testing and/or Inspection of Materials Used in
  Construction.

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Typical National Requirements

• Examination activities must be totally separated
  from the Training activities (Not merely a
  certificate of accomplishment based on the
  completion of a specific training class (with or
  without completion test) during a specific period
  of time.) 
• Non-governmental, independent, third-party
  Governing Body which includes consumers,
  public,employers and regulators
• A periodic Recertification program 

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Major National/Professional Certification Programs

• Nationally Certified Engineering Technicians
  (NICET)
• Certified Construction Managers (CCMs)
• Certified Professional Constructors (CPCs)
• Professional Traffic Operations Engineer(PTOE)

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Value of NATIONAL Certification for the
Technician and the Employer

• Linkage between the standards of the profession
  and individual practice
• Assurance of technician competency upon which QA
  QC programs depend
• Commitment to the maintenance and improvement of
  individual and company/agency professional
  capabilities and ethical standards
• Respect and recognition of individuals and firms
  who demonstrate high levels of knowledge and
  experience
• Efficient use of company/agency workforce

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Value of National Certification to the Training
Providers

• Broader yet More Focused Curriculum
• Expanded Reputation and Recognition
• Increased Enrollment Courses
• Increased Utilization of Facilities
• Increased Instructor Activity

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So What is NICET?

• A not-for-profit certification organization
  established in 1981 based on a NCHRP Research
  Study request initiated by the AASHTO SCOC
• A semi-autonomous division of the National
  Society of Professional Engineers
• Policy direction by eight-person Board of
  Governors

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NICETs Mission

• To provide universally recognized certification
  programs based on an independent evaluation of
  the technical knowledge and experience of
  individuals in engineering technology and related
  disciplines
• Define and support career paths for engineering
  technicians, technologists and related
  disciplines

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NICET certifies ...

• Individuals with appropriate engineering
  technician or engineering technologist work
  experience
• Partial credit given for relevant work experience
  as craftsperson, scientist, engineer, etc.
• Residents of the United States and territories
  and certain others living abroad
• Reciprocity with Canada in some programs

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NICET CERTIFICATION MODEL

• Emphasis is on the hands-on, technician level
  work.
• Developed by professionals from a cross-section
  of the industry.
• Alliances with trade associations.
• Sensitive and responsive to the needs of the
  industry.

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NICET Certification Model

• Requirements for each of the four levels of
  certification
• Written Exam
• Work Experience
• Work Element verification
• Character Reference

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Levels of certification...

• Level I Technician Trainee
• Level II Associate Engineering Technician
• Level III Engineering Technician
• Level IV Senior Engineering Technician

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Re-certification Requirements

• Certificants must maintain professional activity
  and continued professional development in the
  field of certification.
• Activity is represented through the accumulation
  of 90 Continued Professional Development (CPD)
  Points.
• These points are accumulated over three year
  certification/recertification cycles.

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NICET Written Exams

• Exam Centers and exact dates of the exams are
  posted on our www.nicet.org web page.
• Most centers are located at colleges.
• Exams are normally on Saturdays, one per quarter
  up to one per month, per center.
• Numerous Centers in the WASHTO States
• Future LTAP and TTAP NICET Test Centers

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Written Exam

• Exams are open-book and questions are based on
  nationally recognized codes, standards, and
  practices.
• Web Site Program Detail Manuals provide
  descriptions of work elements.
• Various associations and organizations offer
  preparatory materials NOT NICET
• Pocket calculators are permitted laptop and
  palmtop computers are not.

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Transportation Engineering Technology

• Highway Construction
• Highway Design
• Highway Traffic Operations
• Highway Surveys
• Bridge Safety Inspection
• Highway Materials
• Highway Maintenance
• Erosion Sediment Control

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Geotechnical Engineering Technology

• Construction
• Exploration
• Laboratory
• Generalist

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Construction Materials Testing

• Asphalt
• Concrete
• Soils

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NICET in 2005 . continues to

• Focus on customer service.
• Build stakeholder relationships.
• Update existing programs to suit industry needs.
• Develop new programs.

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• REVIEW UPDATE Programs to reflect current
  industry changes in Civil Engineering Technology
  Standards
• Construction Materials Testing (In progress).
• Highway Maintenance - (Undergoing Final
  Validation).
• Highway Construction Inspection - (Just Started)
• Stormwater Wastewater System Inspection
  Expanding to Level IV - (Undergoing Final
  Validation)
• Highway Design/Roadway Design - (In-Progress)

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Partnerships

• FHWA-The National Highway Institute (NHI).
• Mid-Atlantic Region Technician Certification
  Program (MARTCP).
• American Council of Independent Laboratories
  (ACIL).
• The National Association of County Engineers
  (NACE).
• The Construction Management Association of
  America (CMAA).
• Washington Council of Engineering Labs (WACEL).
• Clark County, Nevada Building Services Division
• Under Discussion FHWA-NLTAPA, SAME, HRPWA, VDOT,
  ASA, AASHTO, APWA

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Construction Inspection Steering Committee
Meeting June 17, 2005

• Established New Transportation and Public Works
  Construction Inspection Program Framework with
• Highway, Airfield,Transit, and Public Works
  tracks with the ability to crosswalk between
  tracks
• Five levels of certification. First 2 levels
  common for all tracks