National Standards Certifications Board Update

October 9, 2012

In February 2012, a National Standards Certification Board convened to oversee governance and implementation of the Recycling Organizations of North America(RONA) "Plan for National Standards for Certifying Sustainable Resource Management Training Programs and Professionals (the Plan)." The process was initiated by RONA and the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA), who collaborated on a federally-funded project to develop new resource management curriculum and a certification process.

Nine candidates were selected to serve on the NSC Board, including NERC staff, Athena Lee Bradley. The Board holds monthly conference calls and met at the recent Resource Recycling Conference in Austin. Board members also invited Conference attendees to an informational luncheon; additionally, Board chair, John Frederick, spoke about the national standard for professional certification programs on a Conference panel.

Why National Standards for Recycling Professionals?

The growth in communities, programs, and businesses striving for sustainability has created a demand for qualified staff trained in recycling, sustainable resource management, and Zero Waste. Professionals in the field have agreed that national standards for training and professional development programs would positively impact the proficiency of the Industry. It would also allow states and regions the flexibility to offer state or topical-specific certified training around a set of national standards.

Certification would further provide professionals with a way to distinguish themselves from others in the field. By improving the overall knowledge and understanding of professionals in the industry, certification programs help increase the credibility and level of competence in the field. Transferability within and between states and regions would be facilitated by accrediting state/regional certification programs and thus provide accredited certified professionals a way to expand their involvement. Certified "Resource Management" professionals will be required to take courses, exams, and/or other competency measures.

Key Components of a Certification Program

Through its various meetings on national certification, The NSC Board has prioritized the development of state/regional certification programs and developed an outline of recommendations that can assist a state/region in developing an industry certification program in "Sustainable Resource Management."

The key components of a model state/regional certification program should include at a minimum:

1) A broad based Steering Committee that includes state recycling organization members, municipal and regional recyclers, industry leaders, corporate environmental managers, and state government officials to lead development of program;

2) A minimum of 30 hours of course work that shall be in a classroom setting or in an electronic format that includes extensive exchange and dialog among the instructors and among students;

3) Be certified by an accredited postsecondary institution;

4) A comprehensive course on Sustainable Resource Management;

5) Progressive proficiency exams or other exhibitions of competency as well as a comprehensive written exam to demonstrate proficiency in what was taught;

6) Instructor Criteria assuring that instructors are qualified and effective;

7) Student evaluations of instructors and content;

8) A program administrator or team that would administer

• Database of certified professionals.
• Recertification database.
• The pre-approval process of recertification credits based on criteria established by the Certification Committee.

9) Include an ongoing broad based Certification Committee for program management

• Establish criteria for recertification credits.
• Review and update program.
• Develop entrance requirements for alternate pathway.
• Review & judge applications of candidates for alternate pathway.

10) An annual re-evaluation by Certification Committee of entire course after completion of series using student evaluations and review of relevancy;

11) An alternative pathway to allow experienced professionals to test out; and,

12) Recertification requirements to ensure that certified professionals continually update their skills.

Key Learning Outcomes include:

Topic One: Introduction to Introduction to Sustainable Resource Management (SRM);

Topic Two: Culture & SRM;

Topic Three: SRM Communities; and,

Topic Four: Resource Management in Business.

Once certified, Certified Sustainable Resource Management Professionals are required to maintain their certification through continuing professional education/training on issues relating to solid waste, recycling and related topics.

Comments and Input Requested

As recycling and resource management professionals we welcome your thoughts and opinions on the proposed key components of a model certification program. We would also like to find out if one or more states in our region would like to develop a training program that meets these program goals. Please contact Athena Lee Bradley, NERC Projects Manager, to share your thoughts or if you need more information about this important endeavor.