Follow up of my post 3 weeks ago re inspectors certification

I would like to take this opportunity to follow up on my last post. It is good that the industry created a certification scheme which allows people to progress in the Coating Industry. It’s a far cry from the mid 70’s where training was conducted inhouse within Specialized Third-Party Coating Assurance Companies. In house training was very good at that time, it had to be to bring in the business. In fact, some of my peers was party in introducing the NACE certification to the UK. Since certification goal is to gain industry-recognition, raises the question on whether such, needs to be renewed. Many certified people write “No Expiration Date” when publishing their certificate details, so why does accrediting organizations ask for 18 months recorded job history in a three-year period, plus say a USD500.00 fee, without renewal they forfeit their cert. The question here is why? Many industries have certification but do not ask for renewal. One could understand the need for updated education where standards or codes of practise, equipment etc have changed and or improved and a nominal amount is charged for such additional training. Such could be carried out home study/online. Further, as like some driving Licences or passports one’s appearance changes over the years, so a photo update is practical for again a nominal amount, say every 10 years as like other official documents. So, in real terms, the learning from certification at different levels stays with a person. it’s like learning to ride a bike, once you know how to ride a bike, why do you need to prove it every several years. If one is not good at your job, you get fired or not employed again it’s as simple as that. Taking the fees charged to attain each level to gain certification the accrediting organizations seem to be surviving on training. I read the other day that one single accrediting organization membership numbers had reached over 44,000 globally. Then there’s the ones who market training, some months ago I had an exchange of views on LinkedIn with one of our Indian colleagues who held FROSIO, ICORR, SPPC, NACE, BGAS training courses and was advertising the next training course. The simple question put to him was why train when so many certified inspectors were out of work already. He eventually removed our conversation. Again, whilst working in Singapore, the specification required that painters need to be certified to SSPC. On reviewing certs issued by a NACE Level III one found they had not fulfilled the course costing them SGD1000.00 for each certificate. One expected that such would be taken from their salaries by a monthly repayment scheme. The trainer did visit my office to maintain that he had the authority to issue such certification based on NACE 1990 tradesman qualification guide. Finally, since the coating system was glassflake, we carried out operator testing initially on practice test pieces and then on production to qualify them. Some, who had been issued certification did not even know how to hold a spray gun, let along how to mix and know how spray equipment worked. The moral question here is have we now reached a stage where certification is just based on making money! The industry also needs to take account that many certified holders have paid good money to achieve the level they thought they needed to gain employment and without work cannot afford to either renew their certs or at times struggle to feed and maintain their family. They become dishearten by the training costs and no work, which is a negative towards accrediting associations. The industry as so many certified inspectors, rates have collapsed. Level II and III trying for the same work as Level I. as the industry continues to train new candidates. Then we have the question on whether an employer needs an inspector with a degree. Many recruiters are asking for such. Why? Does that make a better inspector, or just a better manager? Where I have been part of the hiring mechanism and interviewer, I looked at experience first and test such. Any probation period as the foundation that the inspector does a through job of inspecting not managing. Paint Manufacturers normally carry certified technical service (inspectors in some countries, whilst in other places provide a guide on how to smoke and lip services). I recall walking into an uncontrolled paint shop in South Korea when there were inclement weather conditions outside. Asking QC to check climate conditions which was certainly out of specification. On the way out, one Paint Manufacturers technical service walked past me and into the paint shop. This person I had known for some 6 years. As I informed him that the project he was looking after was still spraying, he quickly went to the area and on his return advised it was in specification. A Level II. Would he work for me in the future answer NO. I read that ethics is now part of certification and as whistleblower’s are frowned upon in our industry the nature of the exercise, I would expect is to protect the certifying association, not the person who is acting unethical.

Then let’s look at the inspectors who have worked within the industry for a long term without certification. One of my mentors, ex bus driver background, back in the mid seventies had a problem reading and writing, but his experience was without doubt one of the best in the business at that time. Many have continued to work throughout the years within teams that have moved from project to project where management knew their capability and did not need a piece of paper to prove what they did and could do. Many years ago, some asked for accreditation associations to recognize them. ?There is no money made from such recognition.

Marketing

I have already touched on accrediting association in my last post, but let’s look at them further since mergers have taken place. In the US companies grow by acquisitions, one expects charitable registered companies grow or survive on mergers. AMPP and SPCC joined forces and then NACE joined. Now headed by AMPP.?How all this happened and developing, I am sure someone out there can tell us in more detail. Nevertheless, CIP Level I Courses have changed. New curriculum put forward which I read takes 6 days instead of 5. Additional Course would be USD1500.00 and validity is for 3 years only. The writer would agree as previously said above that as the industry moves on updated training should be offered and at a reasonable cost, keeping in mind many are out of work. As for renewal every 3 years, one ability does not change. ??

AMPP- offers many courses but to target CIP There is Level 1 plus blending program, Level 2, and Level 3, plus add on’s. Not to mention PFP TSA, pipeline. So, one moves through each level and where further needs dictate the need for certification in PFP and TSA.

FROSIO – Online Pre course includes 19 chapters of theory, 7 quizzes, then with 4 days classroom training. The course as like others includes practical training. Trainer and examiner are independent from each other. 3 Levels are achieved by experience. Renewal is 5 years. Introduced Insulation course and exam.

ICORR- Offer many courses but targeting just Inspector again similar to other have three Levels. Also offering PFP and Insulation courses. Have an alliance with ABRACO and agreed conversion course from ABRACO Level I to ICorr Level II. Some years ago, there was an arrangement between ICorr and NACE before going their own way. Can expect ICorr and AMPP working closely in the future.

BGAS-CSWIP – In my time BGAS was necessary to work on British Gas Projects in the UK, these days TWI promotes that such qualifications lead to internationally recognised qualification. ?Available worldwide, which then raises the question why its not covered in all specifications. My understanding there are two grades that one can attend. There are many courses on offer. Renewal is every 5 years and every 10 years sit a ten-year re-certification examination is to be taken to continue to be certified.

Sure someone out there will comment on my overview of certification organizations which is welcome for any correction.

The bigger question is where is the industry training leading too. Is it too late for certifying organizations to make changes which benefits the inspectors!

The interest now focusses on the trainers, accreditation organizations who may wish to respond to this post or more important to the people who actually rely on this certification for work opportunities to speak out for or against the below recommendations.

Ones recommendations would be: -

Specifications to include Requirements for the Paint/Coating Inspectors in alphabetical order AMPP. BGAS, FROSIO or ICorr, or proven experience of more than 15 years in relative industry.

Progressive certification, e.g., levels I, II, III. Levels II and III is capped globally to an agreed number which meets global requirements. Thus, can be reviewed annually depending on industry needs. All may sit Level I, progressing to Level II as availability of that Level allows, e.g., Level II moves forward to Level III on the same basis. Level II requires a minimum of 5 years of traceable history within the coating industry. Achieving Level III needing minimum 10 years of traceable history within the industry. Inspectors who can demonstrate experience of 15 years and above to be automatically accepted as Level II and or Level III as time served in all cases within Specifications. (Note: - if someone did not know their job after 15yrs they would have not been hired by the industry for all that time)

As Level III moves forward to a technician or specialist level, opens up Levels III and II to move forward under the capped global format.

Level III are not allowed to train or issue certification of any kind. Only Technician or specialist are allowed to train or certify, such as applicators.

The industry sets a minimum remuneration for inspection services based on level of certification and or experience. By capping levels, helps to professionalize certification and removes any doubt surrounding both commercial or ethical situations.

Once certification as been achieved at each level, renewal is based on updating photo ID at a reasonable cost e.g., USD50.00 and or further education due to new issues of codes of practise or standards reflecting inspection needs. All may be carried out as either home study or classroom again at a reasonable fixed cost. Certification is issued to confirm additional courses have been taken Nevertheless, once any certification as been met it becomes lifelong.

Each of the certifying bodies recognize each other, e.g. A FROSIO Level III may move forward to take AMPP advanced courses without carrying out a transitional course or sitting AMPP levels again.

Provide Country speaking trainers and courses in each country’s language.

Provide free courses to candidates which cannot afford to get onto the first rung Level I of the education ladder.