1. Understanding the
IREC ISPQ Accreditation &
Certification Program
Pat Fox, Director of Operations
IREC
February 1, 2011

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3. Non Profit
Easier, more affordable connection to the grid
Best practices for states, municipalities, utilities
Since 1982, IREC has worked with industry,
government, educators, and other stakeholders to
ensure that the broader use of renewable energy is
possible, safe, affordable and practical.
1982
Uniform Guidelines & Standards
Quality Assessment

6. IREC ISPQ Accreditation &
Certification Program
The Target = Quality Training

7. IREC ISPQ Accreditation and Certification
Sends a signal to students,
employers, and government
officials that training
standards have been met
NREL: Dennis Schroeder
Ensures legitimacy of what’s
being taught and by whom

8. Current Awardees
• PV
• Solar Thermal
• Small Wind
IREC ISPQ Program Growth
Status Current Volume
Letter of Intent 16
Pending 14
Approved Credentials 99

9. Six ISPQ Credentials
Definition: Programs, courses are accredited. People are certified.

10. 1st Step
Select the Right Designation
NREL: Dennis Schroeder

11. Training Program or Continuing Ed
Provider
Training Program Eligibility
Curriculum is aligned with IREC ISPQ approved job task analysis
Full coverage of all tasks and sub-tasks
Prepares graduates to perform successfully in a specific job category
Continuing Education Provider Eligibility
• Courses or workshops for professional development
Focused on developing specialized skills
Entry level preparatory course
Subset of tasks from a job task analysis

12. Master Trainer or Instructor
Master Trainer
Teaching experience: 900 contact hours
Practical experience: 380 contact hours
Depth of experience to teach students as well as other
instructors
Instructor
Teaching experience: 220 contact hours
Practical experience: 250 contact hours
Independent vs. Affiliate

13. Next step:
Understand the
IREC ISPQ Process
NREL: Dennis Schroeder

14. The IREC ISPQ Accreditation & Certification Process
.
• .

15. Key elements that drive the timeline
Get in the queue
Complete self assessment; well organized
Timely responses
Understand the agenda; be prepared

16. Desk Audit & Onsite Audit
• Accreditation for Training Programs
• Certification for Independent Master
Trainers
NREL: Dennis Schroeder

17. Desk Audit Only
• Accreditation for Continuing
Education Providers
• Certification for Affiliated Master
Trainers
• Certification for Affiliated Instructors
• Certification for Independent
Instructors

18. Understand the requirements of
the ISPQ Standard 01022

19. Organization of the standard
Core Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5
Training Program
Independent Master Trainer
Independent Instructor
Continuing Ed Provider
Affiliated Master Trainer
Affiliated Instructor

20. ISPQ International Standard 01022
The ISPQ International Standard offers a process of
application and audit for accreditation of renewable energy
and energy efficiency training programs and certification of
instructors.
• Training needs to be based on defined workplace knowledge,
skills, and abilities.
• Training needs to address issues of safety, codes, and core
competencies
• Training needs to include appropriate facilities, tools, and safe
practices

21. Core Requirements
1. Non-Discrimination
2. Avoiding Conflict of Interest
3. Confidentiality
4. Release of Information
5. Commitment to Safety and Safe
Practices
6. Commitment to Professionalism
and Quality
7. Appropriate Training and NREL: Dennis Schroeder
Experience

22. Core Requirements
Types of information to provide

23. Tier 1 - Who
Accredited Training Programs
Accredited Continuing Education Providers
Certified Independent Master Trainers
Certified Independent Instructors
NREL: Dennis Schroeder

24. Tier 1 - What
1. Syllabi and Curricula
2. Facilities Requirements
3. Tools and Equipment
4. Management Systems
5. Record Keeping
6. Surveys and Course Evaluations
7. Exams and Assessment Tools
8. Staff Experience and Training
9. Complaint, Dispute and Appeals Policies

25. Tier 1
Types of information to provide
• Curriculum, syllabus, and course description(s)
• Description of facilities
• Lists/descriptions of tools, equipment and hardware
• Record keeping policies

26. Tier 1
Types of information to provide
• Sample informational materials (brochures, web pages, etc.)
• Course evaluations
• Policies for administration of assessment of student learning
• Staffing policies
• Policies to handle complaints & disputes

27. Tier 2 - Who
Accredited Training Programs
Certified Independent Master Trainers
Certified Independent Instructors

28. Tier 2 - What
1. Commitment to Quality
2. Management, Financial Fitness
3. Task Analysis Basis for Curriculum or Syllabus
4. Development & Maintenance of Curriculum
5. Resources
6. Linkage with Industry
7. Job Descriptions
8. Examinations

31. Tier 3 – Who & What
Accredited Training Programs
1. Documented Management System
2. Quality Management Staff Assignments

32. Tier 3
Types of information to provide
• Policies, goals and management process
• Training management process – key staff assignments

33. Tier 5 – Online Courses
Organized & sequential Frequent and timely feedback
format
Monitor & track learning Assessment is integral part of
process learning experience
Instructor involvement Advertising is prohibited

34. Tier 5 – Online Courses
Plan to provide
the auditor access
to the online
course

35. Tier 4 – Who & What
Affiliated Master Trainers, Independent Master Trainers
Affiliated Instructors, Independent Instructors
1. Documented Teaching Experience
2. Documented Practical Experience

36. Tier 4
Documenting Practical Experience
• List installed systems starting with most current
• Description of work performed - area of responsibility
• System size, components
• Location
• Copy of permit, inspection certificate
• License # (where license is required)
• Letters from customers/employers (optional)
Minimum Requirements
Instructor = 250 hours ; Master Trainer = 380 hours

37. Tier 4
Documenting Teaching Experience
• Date, location, course taught, number of students
• Contact hours
• 1 contact hour = 60 minutes of classroom time or
planned activity where student receives feedback
and is monitored
Minimum Requirements
Instructor = 220 hours ; Master Trainer = 900 hours

39. Job Task Analysis
Job task analysis is a formal process for determining what people
do, under what working conditions they do it, what they must
know to do it, and the skills they must have to do it.
• Must clearly define the job – what will the trained individual be
able to accomplish
• Identify all tasks and subtasks required for competent
performance
• Follow well accepted procedures for occupational analysis –
DACUM process; review and validation by SME’s
• Balanced involvement of interested parties – safeguard
impartiality

40. Job Task Analysis
Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency & Weatherization
PV Installer Auditor
PV Technical Sales Installer ing
o m n!
C oo
S
Solar Thermal Installer Crew Chief
Small Wind Installer Inspector

42. Applications
• One for each designation
• Candidate follows application and responds to each section
and subsection
• Contains relevant requirements in the Standard that candidate
must demonstrate and document
• Download from the IREC website (www.irecusa.org)

43. IREC ISPQ
Candidate Handbook
• Guides the Candidate through the
process
• Prime resource throughout the
Candidate / Awardee lifecycle
• Candidate Handbook + ISPQ
Standard = required reading

44. Important Resources
• IREC ISPQ Key Docs (www.irecusa.org)
– ISPQ International Standard 01022
– IREC ISPQ Candidate Handbook
– Applications
– Job Task Analysis
• Best Practices & Guidelines for Renewable
Energy Training (2010 )
• Workforce Guidelines for Home Energy Upgrades
– DOE

45. Pat Fox, IREC
patfox@irecusa.org
General inquiries:
info@ispqusa.org