Resnet and NATE and BPI

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Damien Herold on February 3, 2012 at 3:05pm

Ridiculous is the only explanation. Certifications and their associated fees are increasing faster than foreclosures.

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Permalink Reply by randy tolowski on February 3, 2012 at 8:12pm

Thank you

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Permalink Reply by randy tolowski on February 3, 2012 at 8:13pm

Thank you

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Permalink Reply by Gary Baggett on February 3, 2012 at 3:37pm

Hurry up and get them while they're hot...in another 2 years, it will all be DOE certifications required...and I'm not guessing at their prices!

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Permalink Reply by randy tolowski on February 3, 2012 at 8:13pm

Thank you

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Permalink Reply by randy tolowski on February 3, 2012 at 8:14pm

I thought it was me

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Permalink Reply by Jason Kaylor on February 4, 2012 at 9:00am

I know this sounds crazy, but you want it this way.  I said this many years ago in the IR business about training and equipment costs.  People told me I was dumb then, but now they see the effects of cheap cameras and cheaper training.  It allows everyone in the game.  

Another factor to consider is, $28k to start a business?  That is pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things.  Granted you have other expenses as well, but it is still pretty affordable.  

JJ

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Permalink Reply by randy tolowski on February 4, 2012 at 12:40pm

Good point, But with 30000 cards given out for BA those of us with proper training will be lost among the expanding generic ( and unqualified) labor force. I would like to point out that the training is mediocre at best and substandard at worst.

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Permalink Reply by David Meiland on February 5, 2012 at 8:20am

Phil, you've used at least a couple of other threads to bring out your soapbox. I'd appreciate it if you give it a break or take it elsewhere.

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Permalink Reply by Cameron Taylor on February 6, 2012 at 8:27am

Speaking from the HVAC side of things, the ongoing complaint I've heard about NATE is that the significance of NATE certification isn't heavily marketed toward the end user, meaning building and/or equipment owners. I think more people are familiar with ASE for auto mechanics than they may be for NATE.

To me, these certifications can only have an improved ROI for those shelling out the coin for its cost if it helps to strengthen the technician/rater/auditor/etc viability in the customer's eyes. And than can only happen if the certification agencies do a better job explaining their benefit to end users, not just those in the respective industries.

Personally, as a member and officer of RSES (Refrigeration Service Engineers Society) my RSES Certificate Member (CM) certification has brought me more benefit on a professional level than my NATE heat pump certification has. I respect what the original intent of NATE was to be; to encourage improvement in the competency level of HVAC technicians. That said, if in the end it's just a way to milk technicians of cash but not also raise the level of technician competence in the public's eyes...what are we doing? Same holds true for any BPI type certification; if I as a homeowner don't know BPI from squat, what does that tell me when I'm looking to hire an auditor and he tells me about his certifications? Far as I know he could have obtained them from the equivalent of a "degree mill" institution. The implication behind a certification is that the recipient knows what he or she is doing and that I should have elevated confidence in hiring such a person. Toward the public, the worth of certification, in my estimation, has yet to be firmly established.

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Permalink Reply by John Webb on February 9, 2012 at 8:22am

Yes, there are a lot of different certifications.  Do you have your RESNET spa certification?  I think the key is to identify the certification you need for your chosen area and type of work. If you are looking for the broadest, most  legitimate certification, the ICC residential and commercial certifications are the way to go.  Plus it doesn't cost an arm and leg.  From New Jersey to Texas, I've never had a code official question the ICC certification or ask what is BPI or what is RESNET?  But again, each jurisdiction and each program have their own requirement which you have to meet.  It's just ashame when you have to fly across the country to atttend some bs training session for some ridiculous organization that no one has ever heard of and probably won't be around in three years.

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