irec ispq informational webinar feb 2011
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Understanding the
IREC ISPQ Accreditation &
Certification Program
February 1, 2011
Pat Fox, Director of Operations
IREC
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Since 1982, IREC has worked with industry,
government, educators, and other stakeholders to
ensure that the broader use of renewable energy is
possible, safe, affordable and practical.
1982
Non Profit
Ea
sie
r, m
ore
aff
ord
ab
le c
on
ne
ctio
n t
o t
he
gri
d
Uniform Guidelines & Standards
Quality Assessment
Be
st pra
ctices fo
r state
s, mu
nicip
alitie
s, utilitie
s
IREC ISPQ Accreditation &
Certification Program
The Target = Quality Training
Sends a signal to students,
employers, and government
officials that training
standards have been met
IREC ISPQ Accreditation and Certification
NREL: Dennis Schroeder
Ensures legitimacy of what’s
being taught and by whom
IREC ISPQ Program Growth
Status Current Volume
Letter of Intent 16
Pending 14
Approved Credentials 99
Current Awardees
• PV
• Solar Thermal
• Small Wind
Six ISPQ Credentials
Definition: Programs, courses are accredited. People are certified.
1st Step
Select the Right Designation
NREL: Dennis Schroeder
Training Program or Continuing Ed Provider
� Training Program Eligibility
� Curriculum is aligned with IREC ISPQ approved job task analysis
� Full coverage of all tasks and sub-tasks
� Prepares graduates to perform successfully in a specific job category
� Continuing Education Provider Eligibility
• Courses or workshops for professional development
�Focused on developing specialized skills
�Entry level preparatory course
�Subset of tasks from a job task analysis
Master Trainer or Instructor
�Master Trainer�Teaching experience: 900 contact hours
�Practical experience: 380 contact hours
�Depth of experience to teach students as well as other instructors
� Instructor�Teaching experience: 220 contact hours
�Practical experience: 250 contact hours
� Independent vs. Affiliate
Next step:
Understand the
IREC ISPQ Process
NREL: Dennis Schroeder
.• .
The IREC ISPQ Accreditation & Certification Process
Get in the queue
Complete self assessment; well organized
Timely responses
Understand the agenda; be prepared
Key elements that drive the timeline
Desk Audit & Onsite Audit
• Accreditation for Training Programs
• Certification for Independent Master Trainers
NREL: Dennis Schroeder
Desk Audit Only
• Accreditation for Continuing Education Providers
• Certification for Affiliated Master Trainers
• Certification for Affiliated Instructors
• Certification for Independent
Instructors
Understand the requirements of
the ISPQ Standard 01022
Organization of the standard
Core Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5
Training Program � � � � �
Independent Master Trainer � � � � �
Independent Instructor � � � � �
Continuing Ed Provider � � �
Affiliated Master Trainer � � �
Affiliated Instructor � � �
ISPQ International Standard 01022
The ISPQ International Standard offers a process of
application and audit for accreditation of renewable energy
and energy efficiency training programs and certification of
instructors.
• Training needs to be based on defined workplace knowledge,
skills, and abilities.
• Training needs to address issues of safety, codes, and core
competencies
• Training needs to include appropriate facilities, tools, and safe
practices
Core Requirements
1. Non-Discrimination
2. Avoiding Conflict of Interest
3. Confidentiality
4. Release of Information
5. Commitment to Safety and Safe
Practices
6. Commitment to Professionalism
and Quality
7. Appropriate Training and
Experience
NREL: Dennis Schroeder
Core RequirementsTypes of information to provide
Tier 1 - Who
Accredited Training Programs
Accredited Continuing Education Providers
Certified Independent Master Trainers
Certified Independent Instructors
NREL: Dennis Schroeder
Tier 1 - What
1. Syllabi and Curricula
2. Facilities Requirements
3. Tools and Equipment
4. Management Systems
5. Record Keeping
6. Surveys and Course Evaluations
7. Exams and Assessment Tools
8. Staff Experience and Training
9. Complaint, Dispute and Appeals Policies
Tier 1
Types of information to provide
• Curriculum, syllabus, and course description(s)
• Description of facilities
• Lists/descriptions of tools, equipment and hardware
• Record keeping policies
Tier 1 Types of information to provide
• Sample informational materials (brochures, web pages, etc.)
• Course evaluations
• Policies for administration of assessment of student learning
• Staffing policies
• Policies to handle complaints & disputes
Tier 2 - Who
Accredited Training Programs
Certified Independent Master Trainers
Certified Independent Instructors
Tier 2 - What
1. Commitment to Quality
2. Management, Financial Fitness
3. Task Analysis Basis for Curriculum or Syllabus
4. Development & Maintenance of Curriculum
5. Resources
6. Linkage with Industry
7. Job Descriptions
8. Examinations
Tier 3 – Who & What
Accredited Training Programs
1. Documented Management System
2. Quality Management Staff Assignments
Tier 3
Types of information to provide
• Policies, goals and management process
• Training management process – key staff assignments
Tier 5 – Online Courses
�Organized & sequential
format
�Monitor & track learning
process
�Instructor involvement
�Frequent and timely feedback
�Assessment is integral part of
learning experience
�Advertising is prohibited
Tier 5 – Online Courses
Plan to provide
the auditor access
to the online
course
Tier 4 – Who & What
Affiliated Master Trainers, Independent Master Trainers
Affiliated Instructors, Independent Instructors
1. Documented Teaching Experience
2. Documented Practical Experience
Tier 4
Documenting Practical Experience
• List installed systems starting with most current
• Description of work performed - area of responsibility
• System size, components
• Location
• Copy of permit, inspection certificate
• License # (where license is required)
• Letters from customers/employers (optional)
Minimum Requirements
Instructor = 250 hours ; Master Trainer = 380 hours
Tier 4
Documenting Teaching Experience
• Date, location, course taught, number of students
• Contact hours
• 1 contact hour = 60 minutes of classroom time or
planned activity where student receives feedback
and is monitored
Minimum Requirements
Instructor = 220 hours ; Master Trainer = 900 hours
Job Task Analysis
Job task analysis is a formal process for determining what people
do, under what working conditions they do it, what they must
know to do it, and the skills they must have to do it.
• Must clearly define the job – what will the trained individual be
able to accomplish
• Identify all tasks and subtasks required for competent
performance
• Follow well accepted procedures for occupational analysis –
DACUM process; review and validation by SME’s
• Balanced involvement of interested parties – safeguard
impartiality
Job Task Analysis
PV Installer
PV Technical Sales
Solar Thermal Installer
Small Wind Installer
Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency & Weatherization
Auditor
Installer
Crew Chief
Inspector
Coming
Soon!Coming
Soon!
Applications
• One for each designation
• Candidate follows application and responds to each section
and subsection
• Contains relevant requirements in the Standard that candidate
must demonstrate and document
• Download from the IREC website (www.irecusa.org)
IREC ISPQ
Candidate Handbook
• Guides the Candidate through the
process
• Prime resource throughout the
Candidate / Awardee lifecycle
• Candidate Handbook + ISPQ
Standard = required reading
• IREC ISPQ Key Docs (www.irecusa.org)
– ISPQ International Standard 01022
– IREC ISPQ Candidate Handbook
– Applications
– Job Task Analysis
• Best Practices & Guidelines for Renewable
Energy Training (2010 )
• Workforce Guidelines for Home Energy Upgrades
– DOE
Important Resources