SOLAR TODAY - September/October 2010

JTAs are produced by technical committees of subject matter experts and reviewed periodically to reflect changes in codes, technologies and markets. But what happens when there are two, three or more different standards for the same job? What happens when there are different certifications being offered?

Certification is an area of mounting confusion in renewable energy training, with multiple certificate programs and professional certifications and dueling credentials. A professional certification award or a certificate document measures different levels of proficiency and competency. What’s ultimately at stake is a consumer who expects that a “certification” claim ensures good workmanship.

Sarah White and her colleagues at the Center

Find a Course Near You

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council Training Catalog: irecusa.org/trainingCatalog. The Interstate Renewable Energy Council Directory of University Courses in Renewable Energy: irecusa.org/universityDirectory.

on Wisconsin Strategy recently published a ter-
rific report, “Greener Skills: How Credentials
Create Value in the Clean Energy Economy.”
(Download the report at cows.org/greener-
skills.) The authors caution against fragmenta-
tion not only in the green-collar training system
but also with standards and credentials. They
write, “Developing common standards and
conferring commonly recognized credentials
for verified occupational skills offers a firm path
forward.”
To this critical point, we would add that all
stakeholders — educators, the industry, govern-
ment and consumers — are important players
to monitor and confirm that credentialing pro-
grams offer reliable and impartial evaluations.

Ensuring Value Up to Users, Industry

Ultimately, anyone seeking renewable energy training should ask some key questions before signing up for a class: Who is the instructor? What are their qualifications? Do they bring both content and practical experience to the class? How is hands-on learning incorporated? What equipment is being used? And what kind of jobs will the class lead to, where are they, and what credentials and licenses are needed?

Just as important, educators and the industry should approach training with the same attentiveness. It is up to the industry’s leaders to ensure that instruction is based on industry-defined workplace knowledge, skills and attitudes that fully address issues of safety, codes and jurisdictional requirements. ST

Save 25%!

Become an ASES member for $29.25 (25% off the regular price) and receive 9 issues of SOLAR TODAY, while supporting powerful programs to advance solar energy.