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Credentialing Notes
October 2006
As I was compiling the news articles for this issue of Credentialing Notes I was again reminded that the certification industry is expanding at a fast pace. I have included articles that highlight three new programs that have or will be launched in the coming months in the “news” section. Not only are new industries promoting certification, but established agencies are launching new programs to meet the needs of a diversified group of professionals. While the industry grows in size, scope and geographic region, we are using technology to build communities and keep connected. Take a moment to look at our blog this month featuring helpful, online resources that you can use to connect your staff, vendors, certificants, members and other stakeholders.
On a sad note, I received notice earlier this month that JoAnne Scott passed away in September. I had the privilege of working with JoAnne when she served as a Commissioner for the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). She was a dedicated promoter of professional certification, especially within her own field. The Washington Post summarized her many achievements in a recent article, JoAnne Scott; Promoted Breast-Feeding Advisers. Our thoughts go out to her friends and family.
If you have a suggestion or would like to see something included in Credentialing Notes, please email your feedback to info@seacrestcompany.com.
Best regards,
Janice Moore
SeaCrest Company
In the News
Manufacturing Sets 'Production Technicians' Certification
(Industry Week) Up to 40% of the would-be U.S. production workforce would be trained and certified in the fundamentals of manufacturing during the next 10 years under a program developed by the Washington, D.C.-based Manufacturing Skills Standards Council and announced on September 25.
ACT Launches National Employability Standard with Career Readiness System
(Yahoo!Finance) Business leaders in charge of hiring, training and promotions now have a way to recognize highly skilled job applicants and employees through the National Career Readiness System. ACT has launched the nationwide credentialing initiative, which identifies job seekers who have the essential foundational skills to succeed in the workplace.
Nursing Specialty Certification Improves Patient Care and Increases Nurse Recruitment and Retention
(eMediaWire) The personal and professional value of nursing specialty certification is underestimated. Nurses and patients alike report better nursing care delivered by nurses who have specialty certification.
Training & Careers - Certification Encourages Certification
(ComputerWorld) For the past 25 years, I have been teaching students and professionals about computer security and information assurance in both a professional and an academic environment. I am always asked two questions. The first is “why should I go to the trouble to become certified?” and the second is “what if my certification does not match my work?”
Navy COOL Highlights Growth for Sailors
(theDolphin) A new online tool is being offered to help build a more capable Navy with increased readiness. Navy Credentialing Opportunities On Line (Navy COOL) is an operative tool of the Five Vector Model Certifications and Qualifications Vector that was developed to enhance the continued professional and personal development of the total Navy force. The Web site was launched in June to help Sailors pursue and attain civilian certification and licenses related to their specific ratings and jobs.
PMI to Release Cert for Program Managers
(Certification Magazine) The Project Management Institute (PMI) will launch a certification aimed at program managers sometime in the near future, according to the organization’s Web site.
DMA Offering Search Marketing Certification Program
(SearchEngineWatch) The Direct Marketing Association has announced a new certification program in search marketing, which is to launch at its annual conference next month.
Top Four IT Certification Categories
(EarthWeb) Yet while it’s true that certifications offer no guarantees, they continue to be worthwhile – in fact highly valuable – for IT job seekers.
Certification Aims to Standardize Auto Skills
(SeacoastOnline) A manufacturing group is launching a program to train and certify up to 4 million workers to help fix what many perceive to be a widespread skills shortage -- even as manufacturing employment stands near its lowest point in decades and jobs continue to be shed in the auto sector.
(Yahoo!Finance) The Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) has announced that it is partnering with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in the development and administration of the SIIM Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP) program. SIIM launched development of the certification program in 2005 and the first exam is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2007.
(Sys.Con Media) In a survey of the certified graduates, 42% reported that the certification had helped advance their careers. The same percentage said the professional accreditation improved their credibility with senior management.
Legislative Activity
Secretary Galvin Proposes New Regulations on the Use of Senior Designations
The Massachusetts Securities Division (the “Division”) is requesting comments on proposed regulations that would prohibit the use by broker-dealer agents and investment adviser representatives registered in Massachusetts of certain professional designations that state or imply a specialized knowledge of the financial needs of senior investors. Those professional designations that would be exempt from the prohibitions would have, at a minimum, accreditation by a nationally recognized independent accrediting organization such as the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (“NCCA”) of the National Organization for Competency Assurance or the America National Standards Institute (“ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024”) accreditation program.
Visit http://thomas.loc.gov for the full text of the bills listed below.
WING Act (S.833) To amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Labor to provide for 5-year pilot projects to establish a system of industry-validated national certifications of skills in high-technology industries and a cross-disciplinary national certification of skills in homeland security technology. (Latest Major Action: 4/18/2005 Referred to Senate committee.)
The Veterans Certification and Licensure Act of 2006 (H.R.5220) To establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Certification , Credentialing, and Licensure within the Department of Labor. (Latest Major Action: 5/10/2006 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Unanimous Consent)
H.R.784 To clarify that service marks, collective marks, and certification marks are entitled to the same protections, rights, and privileges of trademarks. (Latest Major Action: 4/4/2005 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.)
National Board-Certified Teachers in Low-Performing Schools Act of 2005 (H.R.3155) To establish a pilot program to encourage certification of teachers in low-income, low-performing public elementary and secondary schools by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and for other purposes. (Latest Major Action: 7/25/2005 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.)
Incentives to Educate American Children (I Teach) Act of 2005 (S.1533) To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax incentive to individuals teaching in elementary and secondary schools located in rural or high unemployment areas and to individuals who achieve certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and for other purposes. (Latest Major Action: 7/28/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.)
Accelerating the Creation of Teachers of Influence for Our Nation Act (H.R.5141) To provide for the establishment of a program at the National Science Foundation to increase up to 10,000 per year the number of elementary and secondary science and mathematics teachers through a scholarship program encouraging students to obtain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees with teacher certification , and for other purposes. (Latest Major Action: 4/19/2006 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research.)
Blog Watch
Real Success with Virtual Tools
The SeaCrest teams works virtually—everything is done by phone, Internet, email and instant message—so we are always looking for new tools to help us, and our clients, operate efficiency. Below is a list of online tools we have discovered and recommend you investigate for your own organization.
Certification Network Group’s blog
Newsletter for the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation
Association Knowledge and Credentialing Blog
Ideas, thoughts and news related to association knowledge and credentialing (certification, certificates, accreditation) by Mickie S. Rops, CAE.
David Foster’s blog dedicated to progress in computer-based testing and innovations in assessment.
Quinn Sutton’s blog exploring the issues surrounding online test delivery.
Events
October 17-20 - Citizen Advocacy Center 2006 Annual Meeting
November 15-18 - NOCA 2006: Emerging Concepts in Credentialing
December 6 - Washington DC Certification Networking Group
January 4-6, 2007 - CLEAR Midyear Business Meeting
January 12, 2007 - Certificate versus Certification: Developing the Right Program for Your Organization
January 26, 2007 - Word-of-Mouth Marketing for Your Certification Program
February 5-7, 2007 - Innovations in Testing (ATP Conference)
March 21, 2007 - Certification Network Group Meeting
April 9-13, 2007 - AERA Annual Convention and Exhibition: The World of Educational Quality
June 20, 2007 -
Certification Network Group Meeting
September 5-6, 2007 - CLEAR 2007 Annual Conference
September 19, 2007 - Certification Network Group Meeting
December 12, 2007 - Certification Network Group Meeting
Careers
Certification Director, Construction Management Association of America
NOCA Certification Career Opportunities (NOCA members only)
Links
The Fine Print
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Credentialing Notes is published by SeaCrest Company. For more information call 704-724-2737 or email info@seacrestcompany.com.
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