News
New IAS Accreditation Programs for Training Agencies and Curriculum Development
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that building construction is one of the nation’s largest industries, accounting for over 6.7 million jobs. Developing and maintaining a quality workforce for the construction sector remains a daunting challenge, one which requires the combined efforts of industry, educators, and government.
The training and competency of construction craft workers has a profound impact on the quality and safety of construction. Professionals in the construction crafts may be identified through certification or training certificates, completion of a specific course of study, assessment of relevant training or experience, or completion of a competency examination. Construction craft certificates are commonly offered by public and private colleges and by professional and trade apprenticeship training programs. The quality of such programs, however, varies widely – with an increasing number based on questionable standards of quality.
To encourage and publicly recognize the highest quality certificate programs for the construction crafts, the International Accreditation Service (IAS) has introduced the IAS Accreditation Programs for Training Agencies, and for Curriculum Development Agencies. These IAS programs are the first of their kind to consider, concurrently, the needs of the construction crafts, contractors, and construction regulators.
The IAS approach to accreditation aims to ensure that accredited programs meet best practices of adult education, through demonstrated compliance with educational requirements as well as national and internationally recognized construction codes and other standards of quality such as the ISO/IEC 17024 standard. IAS accreditation standards were developed over the past three years by a Technical Advisory Council (TAC) with members appointed from the construction crafts, contractors, and construction regulators.
IAS accreditation standards require that curriculum development and training organizations have formally documented processes that are effectively implemented and regularly monitored to ensure their continuing suitability and effectiveness.
“The competency of the construction craft worker is central to effective code administration,” explains C. P. Ramani, IAS President. “This new service provides a visible and effective mechanism through which contractors and code officials can encourage participation in construction craft training programs which have a commitment to quality. Through IAS accreditation, quality training programs will have greater visibility and prestige, encouraging the brightest young people to consider the construction crafts as a rewarding lifelong profession.”
For more information about the accreditation of training agencies, click here.
For more information about the accreditation of curriculum developers, click here.