ANSI-IREC Accreditation Program Diana Singhavong American National Standards Institute Pat Fox Laure-Jeanne Davignon Interstate Renewable Energy Council February 14, 2013

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What is ANSI-IREC? Specialty accreditation for energy efficiency and RE programs. A broad range of certificate programs can now demonstrate market value and improve their training through a comprehensive application and assessment process. Program accreditation ensures organizations maintain conformance to the highest quality and standards and provides the tools needed in today's competitive and ever-changing landscape.

Why ANSI-IREC? Growth of clean energy sector Proliferation of training programs Confusion

The Answer Align training with jobs Differentiate quality training Provide programs with a means to demonstrate market value Increase consumer confidence and safeguards

Quality training with market value How? ANSI-IREC provides third-party verification that programs meet a national standard (IREC Standard 14732:2013) validated by the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry Quality training with market value

Educational Processes and Management A Unique Approach Technical Content Educational Processes and Management

Benefits to Programs Promotes high quality program design and implementation Distinguishes programs with a national recognition Provides an edge for enrollment, marketing and funding proposals

Benefits to Programs Aligned with industry-recognized credentials and standards Training dollars invested wisely Students “trained as advertised” —Roy Swift

Value of the Accreditation Process What did pilot participants have to say about the process?

Value of the Accreditation Process All pilot organizations agreed/strongly agreed that accreditation process: Would provide differentiation and a competitive advantage when competing with other certificate awarding entities in the industry Is a quality check on current operations “Due to this process, we have implemented a number of great quality control measures.” -Survey respondent

Value of the Accreditation Process According to the pilot organizations, the most valuable aspects of the accreditation experience include: Communication/active participation from program staff Assessors’ expertise Third-party validation of program Improvement of organizational structure and curricula Continued quality improvement Continued quality improvement: all accredited organizations would submit additional programs for ANSI-IREC accreditation and encourage other organizations to apply

Lessons Learned from an Accredited Organization Nicole Rice, Midwest Renewable Energy Association MREA Photovoltaic Site Assessment Certificate MREA Solar Thermal Site Assessment Certificate

Process Overview Demonstrate Initial Eligibility Online Preliminary Application Provide Evidence and Documentation “Demonstrate” Onsite Assessment Role of assessment team Role of onsite

IREC Standard 14732:2013 Explain evidence required. www.irecusa.org

Market Value Explain evidence required. Industry validated Job Task Analysis Quality training matched to employer needs Linkage to industry Explain evidence required.

Linkage with Industry The certificate-awarding entity shall maintain relationships with the subject industry to ensure the continued currency and market value of the certificate Employers Associations Workforce Dev. Industry is defined as entities involved in the technology being taught and may include employers, workforce-development organizations, manufacturers, professional associations, and contractors, among others.

Job Task Analysis 10.2 Job Task Analysis Basis for Curriculum or Syllabus: The certificate-awarding entity shall base the certificate program on a current, valid job task analysis (JTA) that has been developed using generally accepted procedures and includes the following: a) An objective or scope that defines the overall job, including conditions and criteria b) A list of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) that define the job c) Criticality ratings for each KSA d) Criteria used for validating the JTA Explain evidence required.

Systematic Program Plan Any one of several processes recognized by education and training professionals that documents the creation or revision of educational programs, workshops, or courses using inter-related components of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation.

Systematic Program Plan Use of criterion-referenced instruction Analysis, program design, development, implementation, and evaluation integrated Defined curriculum for each program Syllabus for each course Instruction conforms to syllabus and curriculum comparing student performance/student learning to an established standard of competence

Management System Documentation Document control Internal audit Management review Communication of internal audit results The review of an entity’s policies and procedures to determine the entity’s conformance with them. Must minimally include. An internal audit shall be planned and conducted, at least annually, or as deemed necessary by the organization. The internal audit report shall document any circumstances of non-compliance with policies and procedures. The internal audit report shall include the reason(s) for non-compliance, and corrective and/or preventive actions to ensure compliance. Results of the internal audit shall be communicated to program management.

Assessment of Learners Written examination required Assessments must be criterion-referenced must be based on stated learning objectives that include a performance standard

Assessment of Learners Requirements for development, administration and scoring Secure Routinely reviewed Provisions for learners with special needs Protocols for those administering Criterion referenced passing score Inter-rater reliability

Policies and Procedures Other Requirements Policies and Procedures Personnel Facilities, Tools and Equipment Online Delivery Safety Legal Entity, Financial Viability

Meeting the Requirements Documented compliance Evidence of implementation Verified on paper and during onsite

Want to Learn More? Workshop May 7-8 Washington, DC Email Diana to Register dsinghavong@ansi.org

Questions? www.ansi.org/ansi-irec dsinghavong@ansi.org patfox@irecusa.org Heading: Verdana 24 Text: Verdana 18

Program Fees Application fee $3,000.00 On-site assessment and document review $1,250.00 per assessor per day, plus travel expenses. Fees include: Cost per assessor per number of days required; assessor review of application and all supporting documents; assessor preparation of draft and final assessor report; onsite assessment; ANSI staff coordination of assessment process. Travel expenses include: transportation, meals, and accommodations during days of the assessment. Fees associated with any corrective actions are $1,250 per assessor per day and include: Assessor review of corrective actions, assessor clearance of corrective actions, ANSI staff coordination of corrective action process. If additional subject matter experts (SMEs) are required, the applicant organization will be assessed an additional fee of $1,250 per day per SME, plus travel expenses.