Did you know that IREC ISPQ Certified Instructors and Master Trainers are required to document attendance at least 12 contact hours of Continuing Education or Instructor Training over your five-year award period? The requirements further stipulate specific continuing education in the following categories:

• Pedagogy, Instructional Methods, at least 2 contact hours;
• Renewable energy, energy efficiency, distributed generation specialty courses, at least 6 contact hours; and
• Safety or codes, at least 1 contact hour.

When your five-year award expires, there are requirements you must meet for recertification. You must demonstrate that you have actively taught courses relevant to your specialty during the five years. You must document the number of students you have instructed, and the student hours spent in the classroom or directly preparing course materials. You must also document training-related work such as curriculum preparation or textbook writing.  You can find details about these requirements on the IREC ISPQ site at these links:

• Application for Independent Master Trainer Certification
• Application for Affiliated Master Trainer Certification
• Application for Affiliated Instructor Certification
• Application for Independent Instructor Certification

These are the words of Richard Porter, an IREC ISPQ Affiliated Instructor at Hudson Valley Community College. He is featured in a new video, available on the IREC website and YouTube, which explains the value of an IREC ISPQ credential.

IREC ISPQ credentialing drives quality workforce training, and gives credential holders an edge in an increasingly competitive marketplace. That’s easy for us to say, but for someone considering undergoing the rigorous IREC ISPQ process, it’s powerful to hear it from their peers.

Watch the five minute video to see what IREC ISPQ credential holders are saying.

The video was produced with the generous support of the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA).

If you’ve ever met Geoff Stapleton, you’re not likely to forget him.  In addition to his Australian accent and outgoing manner, Geoff’s known for handing out fuzzy little Koala Bear clips (I’ve got at least three).   Currently, Geoff is the Managing Director of Global Sustainable Energy Solutions Pty Ltd (GSES), a renewable energy engineering and training company, specializing in PV design, solar training, publishing, and PV system audits.  GSES is currently the ISPQ Licensee for the Asia/Pacific Region.

Today, there are two IREC ISPQ regional licensees:  Asia/Pacific (GSES/Australia); and North America (IREC/US).  All licensees use the IREC ISPQ Standard 01022, and are responsible for the full accreditation and certification cycle including processing applications, assigning registered auditors, awarding the credential, and maintaining all records of applicants, candidates and certificants.

Here in the U.S., the North American IREC ISPQ licensee, IREC, is the most active of all the licensees.  Applications for the IREC ISPQ credential have steadily increased since 2009.   Currently, there are 126 certificants holding the IREC ISPQ credential in the U.S.

I got in touch with Geoff to find out how the IREC ISPQ credential is working in the Asia/Pacific region. Here’s our conversation.

IREC:  Geoff, you’ve been at this for a while now. When did you first get introduced to the IREC ISPQ credential?

GS:  I met Mark Fitzgerald, the founder of the ISPQ training credential, in D.C. in 1997. We were both on the same International Energy Association (IEA) PV Committee that focused on PV in developing countries.  In 2000, I was doing training in Sri Lanka with World Bank funding.  Mark came to assess my training, and that’s when I became a Master Trainer under a draft Standard that Mark developed under a World Bank funded project.   When I renewed my credential three years later, the IREC ISPQ Standard was in place, and I was certified to that Standard.

IREC:  The entire credentialing issue was in a very nascent stage here in the U.S. at that time. We know that IREC identified the issue of accredited programs and certified instructors to intelligently build a well-prepared clean energy workforce. It was a few years in the making here in the U.S., building the infrastructure, to where it is today. What was going on in your region at that time? Were you seeing enthusiasm for the credential in other countries?

GS:  Mark and I continued to work on projects together, trying to promote ISPQ within 21 countries in APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Community), but nothing really took off.  I promoted ISPQ in the 10-countries of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN), even worked to set them up as a regional licensee.  We formed technical committees, and produced 11 regional competency standards, similar to the job task analysis (JTA).  We even helped them with a business plan, but it just didn’t take hold.  What we learned was that the countries really liked the idea of ISPQ, but most felt like it was more ‘cart before the horse.’  These countries had training, but what they really needed was help with that training.  Until they had a better training program, they couldn’t even think of becoming accredited by a third party.

IREC:  Definitely ‘cart before the horse.’  Has this happened? Has there been an improvement in the development of training in these countries?

GS:    I would say yes, in both Malaysia and Singapore, but in the other countries, it has still been project- based training as opposed to establishing ongoing training programs within training institutes (i.e., technician level training).  However, a number of the Universities in the region do offer renewable Masters courses in their engineering faculties.

IREC:  Sounds like it’s been an uphill climb to get buy-in for the value of the IREC ISPQ credential in this region. 

GS:  So far, the Malaysian Government is the only certificant in our Asia/Pacific IREC ISPQ region. Not a lot to show for years of work.   I began to promote ISPQ in China, and ISP had an office there for two years.  One training institute became accredited as a pilot project.  There was interest from other training organizations, but if the government doesn’t mandate it, it won’t happen.

IREC:  So how are things in Australia? Is it better there than in other parts of the Asia/Pacific region?

GS:  In Australia, all technical colleges must be accredited. Each industry sector has a national training advisory body that develops the national training packages.  And by the way, the essential knowledge and skills for these industries are very similar to the Job Task Analyses you have  in the U.S.  In 2000, renewable energy and efficiency began to be included in these training packages. In 2004, I worked with the government to compare the ISPQ Standard to the Australian National Quality Framework.

IREC:  What’s Australia’s National Framework like? Is it similar to the IREC ISPQ Standard?

GS:  Yes, actually the IREC ISPQ standard and the National Framework standard are very similar. In Australia, training institutes apply to be a Registered Training Organization (RTO) under the National Framework.  In fact, for all technical training that awards a certificate, it’s mandatory that it must be done by an RTO. The majority of RTOs are government owned, but some, like GSES, are private.  In fact, GSES is the only private RTO that offers renewable energy training.

IREC:  So if the National Framework and IREC ISPQ Standard are similar, does that make it harder to ‘sell’ the IREC ISPQ Standard?

GS:   In that work I did for the government back in 2004, the results showed little interest by the RTOs for another credential (that they’d have to pay for), since they already met the requirements under the National Framework.

IREC:  Sounds like a barrier, and could impede the growth of the industry in the region.  What about GSES? Will you become accredited to the IREC ISPQ Standard? 

GS:  Yes. Since we believe in the IREC ISPQ Standard, and because we push this with our overseas training, it’s important for us to be IREC ISPQ accredited, and not just have me as an Independent Master Trainer.  We’ll continue to promote it in our region, and identify local organizations that could act as a licensee.

IREC:  Any new areas you’re looking to work in?

GS:  The next area is the Pacific.  In fact, we’re forming Competency Standards Committees (i.e., Job Task Analysis) now.  A number of training institutes would like to see IREC ISPQ adopted for the Pacific Islands, which includes some 22 nations, though realistically, it would be years before they would have energy efficiency and renewable energy in their national training.  Actually, some  countries already have National Training Frameworks like Australia, and in these countries, it might be easier to help them incorporate renewable energy courses within their existing framework.

IREC:  Your work in the region to promote the IREC ISPQ credential has been challenging.  What’s the game plan for marketing it in the region? Don’t countries see the correlation between a quality training program and a highly-qualified workforce?

GS: It is fair to say that many countries see the link between quality training and a high qualified workforce and have programs helping them head in that direction but this is often required across many industry sectors so RE and EE training but not always take the highest priority.

The local industry association, The Sustainable Energy industry Association of Pacific Islands (SEIAPI), is introducing a certification scheme for technicians, one similar to the Australian scheme and NABCEP.   They will be requiring training to be of a certain level.  It’s even possible they might become the ISPQ licensee for the Pacific Region.

IREC:  That sounds very promising.  Perhaps if they take the lead, others will follow.     

Possibly.   The issue is the time and money required to promote and explain the value of the Standard to various stakeholders in each of the countries.  Nevertheless, we’re committed to the Standard, and we’ll continue to promote it.

More ways to connect with GSES

Facebook

Twitter

The IREC ISPQ Credentialing Program uses an international framework to assess content, quality, and resources across a broad range of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and weatherization training programs. This process leads to defined workplace knowledge and skills, and ensures the legitimacy of what is being taught and by whom. An IREC ISPQ credential sends a signal to students, potential employers and other industry stakeholders that a rigorous standard has been met.

The trainers and organizations listed below have stepped up to the IREC ISPQ challenge, successfully completing a rigorous assessment process for their administrative infrastructure, facilities, hardware, faculty, safety practices and curriculum.

Affiliated Instructor Certification
Craig Buttke, Midwest Renewable Energy Association
Tommy Jacoby, Solar Energy International
Mike Joyce, Midwest Renewable Energy Association
John O’Donohue, Midwest Renewable Energy Association
Isaac Opalinsky, SunPower Corporation
Catherine Redson, SolPowerPeople, Inc

Affiliated Master Trainer Certification
Tim Coats, ONTILITY, LLC
James Haynes, ONTILITY, LLC
Richard Stovall, SolPowerPeople, Inc
Tim Wilhelm, Kankakee Community College

Continuing Education Provider Accreditation
Continuing Education Providers are institutions that offer short courses or workshops for the professional development of participants.

Ambassador Energy, Inc.
Entry Level Solar PV Design and Installation

American Institute of Renewable Energy (AIRE)  (provisional to full accreditation)\
PV105 5-Day Solar Entry Level Design and Installation Course

Buckville Energy Consulting (provisional to full accreditation)
Wind Turbine Design and Construction
Wind Power Reality
Renewable Energy Systems and Firefighter Safety (Suggested Response Guidelines)
Off-Grid Systems for Remote Locations (Provisional)

CleanEdison, Inc.
5-Day Boot Camp:
Solar PV Fundamentals
Solar PV Sales and Estimation
Solar PV Installation
Solar PV Design
Solar 101

Krannich Solar, Inc. (provisional)
5-Day Entry Level Solar PV Design and Installation Boot Camp

Solar Academy International (provisional to full accreditation)
Five Day Solar PV Design and Installation Course

SolPowerPeople, Inc. (provisional accreditation)
SPV2000 SolPowerPeople Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Foundations Workshop
SPV3000 SolPowerPeople Advanced PV Systems Design & Installation Workshop

Sun Pirate, Inc.
Solar Heating System Design & Installation Online Course (60 Hours)

Training Program Accreditation
Accredited training programs provide evidence that graduates achieve the necessary knowledge and skills to perform successfully on the job. These programs teach all tasks and subtasks defined for a job through a Job Task Analysis.

SUNY Delhi, Technology Division
Photovoltaic Design and Installation Basics Workshop
Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technologies (ECMT) 175 – Photovoltaic Design and Installation

North Carolina Solar Center at NC State University
Basics of Business and Technology of Solar Thermal
Solar Heating and Cooling Instructor Training
Electric Generation with Photovoltaic Systems
Photovoltaic Instructor Training

A comprehensive list of those holding IREC ISPQ credentials can be found on the IREC website under IREC ISPQ Awardees.

Mistakes. We all make them.  And if we’re lucky, we learn from them.  But they can also be costly, in both time and money.  If you’re applying for the IREC ISPQ Credential, do yourself a huge favor:  get real friendly with the IREC ISPQ Candidate Handbook.  This voluminous document contains all the information you need to know about eligibility, fees, annual maintenance of your award, timelines, and policies.  Paying attention to the requirements will save you, and your Assessor, time in reviewing your application.  And as we all know, time is money.

Here are some of the most common mistakes applicants – for both accreditation and certification – tend to make when applying for the IREC ISPQ credential:

1)    Forgetting to sign documents
This sounds like a no-brainer, but our Assessors see documents like the Code of Ethics, and (if you can believe it), the application itself, without a John Hancock.  Review the materials carefully and thoroughly before you submit. Have an extra pair of eyes go through the application.  Sometimes you spend so much time on the application, it’s easy to miss some of the most obvious parts.

2)    Not including the fee with the application
All applicable fees for the various applications are described in detail in Section 3 (pg. 17) of the Candidate Handbook.  Find the right one, and include a check for that with your application.

3)    Not replying to all sections of the application
Start one section and realize you need to assemble information to respond? Sometimes, applicants forget to go back and review sections that they were working on.  Not replying to all sections of the application results in delays when the Assessor reviews your application, which means she’ll need to contact you and request additional documentation.  Flag pages you’re working on to make sure you don’t forget to include or attach important information.

4)    Submitting classes that haven’t yet been taught
Thinking about new classes you’d like to offer?  That’s great, but they don’t count toward your application. Your application for accreditation should only include classes that are currently being taught.  One of the requirements of Standard 01022 is that you have experience in delivering every course that is accredited. If you do add courses later to an Accredited Training Program, no worries.  IREC provides a special short application form:  Application for Course Additions to Accredited Training Programs.

5)    Not understanding the difference between a policy and a procedure
They’re not the same.  A policy is a principle or rule that informs decisions.  A procedure is a set of instructions for a specific task. Procedures can be used to implement policies, and policies can inform procedures.  They’re distinct; make sure you understand the difference.

6)    Forgetting to provide Assessor access to online courses
If your application includes online courses, be sure and give your Assessor access (i.e., URL, login, password).  Without it, she won’t be able to review the courses you’re submitting for review and accreditation.

7)    Instructors listing more than the minimum experience but failing to document all of it.
We see this a lot, even though the Candidate Handbook cautions against this.  If you’re including any (and all) teaching experience, it must be documented with details like class rosters, letters from employers, syllabi.  If you want to include your experience, be sure you can verify with details.

8)  Not providing documentation from current (sponsoring) training provider
For Affiliated Master Trainers and Instructors, you’ll need to confirm the contact hours you’re submitting are correct.  Sometimes, applicants assume that since their organization is sponsoring their application, the teaching hours listed on the worksheet are considered substantiated.  IREC still needs a letter confirming these hours are indeed correct.

9)  Omitting or incorrectly mapping curriculum to corresponding JTA
If you are applying for Training Program Accreditation or Independent Master Trainer Certification, you must document how your curriculum covers the corresponding JTA.  This is typically done in a chart or by annotating the syllabus with the items from the JTA.  It’s a detailed process, but is vital to your successful candidacy.

10) Providing a policy manual or other large document and not giving clear instructions regarding where the germane policies/ information can be found
Again, sounds obvious, but the best IREC ISPQ applications are also the most organized. This includes directing your Assessor to the specific sections of larger documents provided, to fulfill a given requirement.

The RISE Certified Solar Roofing Professional (CSRP) JTA is currently available for candidate use and is posted on the IREC website. JTAs are listings of the skills and knowledge that a practitioner needs in order to perform a given job safely and effectively. Certain IREC ISPQ credentials require that the candidate align their curriculum with an IREC-accepted JTA.

“RISE was able to demonstrate that their JTA meets the requirements for acceptance by IREC, as outlined in the Candidate Handbook,” says Pat Fox, IREC Director of Operations. “This broadens the scope of training programs that can apply for IREC Accreditation and we are delighted to make this JTA available to potential candidates.”

All applications for IREC ISPQ accreditation or certification are not created equal.

Many have traveled the path you’re now on, and IREC has a lot of resources and knowledge to ensure a smooth onsite assessment experience.  Here are four things that will keep you as cool as a cucumber and make your onsite assessment run smoothly.

1)  Have a clear agenda.
Typically, your desk assessor will also serve as your onsite assessor. Once your Desk Assessment is complete, you and your Assessor will set a date and agenda for the onsite assessment.  Since most onsite assessments are completed in a day, having a clear and concise agenda will ensure an efficient use of everyone’s time.   Your Assessor will discuss estimated travel costs, and she’ll let you know who and what she’ll need to see when she’s there.  Reserve a location at your facility for the assessor to use for meetings and to complete reports while she’s onsite.  Consider scheduling the visit while a class is in session can be a great way to display your organization in action. When the happy day arrives, expect to hold an introductory/planning meeting between you, your Assessor and key staff. The agenda for the day will be discussed, so everyone is clear on their roles and what your assessor needs to accomplish.

2)  Verify, verify, verify.
One of the most important goals of the onsite assessment is to verify that the facilities and resources you described in your application materials actually exist and are maintained.   To accomplish this, your Assessor will review these, so make sure they’re ready:

• Documentation:
• Policies and procedures
• Curriculum and training materials
• Informational materials
• Surveys and course evaluations
• Exams and assessments
• Record keeping and documentation systems
• Management system documentation
• Safety practices, equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Training facilities, tools, equipment and hardware
• Library, job board and other resources

3)  Connection with your staff
Looking over reports, checking out equipment, reviewing policies are important, but so is one-on-one time with your staff.  Expect your Assessor to schedule some time with your staff, instructors and students, either in a formal interview or informal conversation.  It’s also possible that your Assessor will attend a class or hands-on lab in progress, assuming it’s been arranged before her arrival.  And don’t be surprised if she takes photographs, records interviews or copies any documentation (with your permission, of course). It’s all part of the process. And because there’s always an element of surprise, make sure key staff is on hand during the onsite assessment, just in case some unexpected issues pop up.

4)  The exit strategy
It’s been a busy day.  The Assessor has been on site all day, has gone through files, taken pictures, interviewed key staff, maybe even sat in on a class.  Now it’s time to sit with each other and discuss her findings.  You’ll learn what you’re doing especially well, and those areas that need improvement.  Your assessor may have found some nonconformities (failure to comply with the IREC ISPQ Standard). But don’t worry. Even if there are nonconformities, you’ll have an opportunity to address them in a Corrective Action Plan in the two weeks following the onsite assessment.   How effectively and quickly you address  nonconformities will have an impact on the outcome of your application.

As always, your Assessor will work with you. The IREC ISPQ application process, while rigorous and detailed, isn’t punitive.   IREC and your Assessor are here to maintain an exemplary credential and keep the process fair and efficient.  Let us know how we can help.

Highlights of current updates, as reflected in the new Candidate Handbook, include:

• An updated Code of Ethics has been implemented and is to be signed by the candidate or an authorized representative of the candidate organization.
• Addition of an Ethics Representations and Agreement and Release Authorization document and requirement that this be signed by the candidate or an authorized representative of the candidate organization.
• Replacement of the IREC ISPQ Program Compliance and Complaint Procedure with two distinct procedures: the IREC ISPQ Ethics Case Procedure, and IREC ISPQ Procedures to Resolve Challenges and Complaints Related to Credentialing Eligibility and Irregularities.
• New language indicating that basic information about applicants, including name, organization name and website, will be published on the IREC website.

For further details, please refer to the documents below:

Summary of Changes to the Candidate Handbook (pdf)

IREC ISPQ Candidate Handbook for Standard 01022: 2011 (pdf)

Assessors play a key role in ensuring the quality and accuracy of the IREC ISPQ evaluation process. Through a practice of thorough review, they ensure that applicants for accreditation or certification meet all of the requirements of the IREC ISPQ Standard 01022:2011. Assessors work with candidates through an ongoing exchange to assess their application, in certain cases traveling to applicant locations to perform on-site assessments. IREC ISPQ Registered Assessors must have experience in renewable energy or the efficiency/weatherization fields, and demonstrated organizational and evaluation skills.   According to IREC ISPQ’s Pat Fox, assessor training includes both self-paced modules as well as interactive online meetings and each new assessor is paired with a mentor for their first assignment.

Interested?  Visit the IREC website for more information, or to complete an application. Electronic applications are encouraged. Contact Kristen Ferguson for details.

Have you recently changed jobs? Wonder what might happen to your existing IREC ISPQ Certified Affiliated Instructor or Certified Affiliated Master Trainer status? Glad you asked.

A quick check of the IREC ISPQ Candidate Handbook (Section 6.9) reminds us that by definition, an IREC ISPQ Certified Affiliated Instructor or Certified Affiliated Master Trainer must be employed by or be a contractor with an IREC ISPQ Accredited Training Program or Accredited Continuing Education Provider, or a Certified Independent Master Trainer. As a result of this, if you either voluntarily or involuntarily leave employment or a contract position with an IREC ISPQ-recognized employer, your IREC ISPQ status will become “inactive.”  You cannot claim to be actively IREC ISPQ Certified and must note, whenever using the IREC ISPQ mark/designation or making any statements about IREC ISPQ status, that your Certified status is “inactive” pending appropriate employment. No mark designation can be used while inactive, and it is important to inform IREC of your status change within 60 days.

When you start working for another IREC ISPQ-recognized employer, let us know the good news! Provide a letter on letterhead signed by your new employer verifying your hire and their acceptance of responsibility for your administrative and management quality. At this point, your new employer will also be responsible for your annual fees. It’s important to remember that an “inactive” period does not halt your certification time period. Re-activating the Certification status reinstates your certification within the original five-year time period of your award. If your Certification status enters a renewal period while you are “inactive,” you may pay a $25 holding fee to maintain inactive status for another year, and renew your Certification once you are employed by an IREC ISPQ-recognized employer. Otherwise, your Certification will lapse.

Check the official IREC ISPQ Candidate Handbook for details, or if you still have questions or need more information, call us at   (518) 621-7379.