Toronto, December 6, 2011 – CSA Standards, a leading standards-based solutions organization, and the National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO), the joint training arm of the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, First District, Canada (IBEW), today announced the formal recognition of the new ECAO/IBEW-CCO solar PV training curriculum at a special ceremony at the Canadian Solar Industries Association's (CanSIA) Solar Canada 2011 Exposition.
The new ECAO/IBEW-CCO solar PV installation and maintenance curriculum is the first training program in Ontario recognized by CSA to align to the body of knowledge required for the Construction Electrician (NOC 7241) Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems personnel certification program. The program is a mechanism through which CSA - serving as a national, third-party, independent, certification body -assesses and formally recognizes that candidates have demonstrated measurable knowledge within the PV area by passing an assessment against objectively identified criteria.
CSA's Director of Learning Services, Robert Rashotte presented a framed letter of recognition to ECAO Executive Vice President, Eryl Roberts and IBEW-CCO Executive Secretary-Treasurer, John Grimshaw at the ceremony. Rashotte also presented individual CSA certifications to five qualifying ECAO/IBEW-CCO instructors: Lee Caprio, IBEW, Local 353 (Toronto); Dave Cribb, IBEW, Local 586 (Ottawa); Rudy Lenneau, IBEW, Local 115 (Kingston); Peter Olders, Ontario Electrical Industry Training Trust; and, Arthur Verway, IBEW, Local 353 (Toronto). The CSA certification earned by these instructors overlays their existing Certificate of Qualification as an electrician.
"The excellence of solar PV training programs and related instructor qualifications are important because a qualified workforce will promote safety and increase public confidence in PV installations," says Stephen Brown, Director, Energy, Electrical Sector, CSA Standards.
The personnel certification program is designed for journeyperson electricians installing and maintaining solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Canada. CSA's approach adheres to the ISO 17024 international standard for certifying bodies. The certification is openly available to qualified personnel that wish to apply.
"Congratulations to the ECAO/IBEW-CCO for being the first in Ontario to have its solar PV training curriculum recognized by CSA," says Phil Flemming, IBEW International Vice President, First District, Canada and NETCO President. "We are confident that other training providers across Canada will see the value of CSA's personnel certification program and will align their solar PV training curriculum to the national standards reflected in the test blueprint."
To date, the ECAO/IBEW-CCO has trained approximately 1,000 electricians in solar PV installation and maintenance at 13 facilities located across Ontario using a network of 25 highly-qualified instructors.
"NETCOs decision to sponsor and support CSA in the development of the Construction Electrician (NOC 7241) Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Certified personnel certification program was driven by an assertion that all solar PV installation should be performed by qualified electricians working for licensed contractors under electrical permit," says Eryl Roberts, who serves as NETCO Treasurer as well as ECAO Executive Vice President. "This made-in-Canada certification program was developed with reference to the Canadian Electrical Code and the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program."
To learn more about CSA's personnel certification programs, visit www.csa.ca.
About CSA Standards
CSA Standards is a leading standards-based solutions organization serving industry, government, consumers and other interested parties in North America and the global marketplace. Focusing on standards and codes development, application products, training, advisory and personnel certification services, the organization aims to enhance public safety, improve quality of life, preserve the environment and facilitate trade. CSA Standards is a division of CSA Group, which also consists of CSA International, which provides testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products; and OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory services for retailers and manufacturers. For more information, visit www.csa.ca
About NETCO
The National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO) is the national voice of the electrical industry in Canada. NETCO is a joint Labour-Management partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), First District, Canada and the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA). CECA represents over 8,000 electrical contractors across Canada who generate over $5 billion in revenues and who directly employ 70,000 persons. IBEW Local Unions represent approximately 63,000 members in Canada and a significant proportion work as electrical journeypersons and apprentices. NETCO's mandate is to promote national standards, apprenticeship and ongoing journeyperson skills training in Canada with a particular focus on the three Red Seal electrical trades. For more information, visit www.ceca.org/netco
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Contact:
Anthony Toderian
Manager, Corporate Affairs
CSA Group
416-747-2620
anthony.toderian@csagroup.org