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Professional Certification Programs. What are the options?. Sponsorship Options. National Programs SWANA USCC State-Based Programs University-Based Recycling Organization-Based State Agency -Based. Program Options. Accreditation University Recycling Organization State Agency
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Professional Certification Programs What are the options?
Sponsorship Options • National Programs • SWANA • USCC • State-Based Programs • University-Based • Recycling Organization-Based • State Agency -Based
Program Options • Accreditation • University • Recycling Organization • State Agency • No Accreditation • Training • Regular Classes • Periodic Classes • Conference-based
What is certification? • Means different things to different people A single workshop 40 hours No university affiliation Full university accreditation No examination 100+ question exam • True university-accredited professional certification exists in only two states. • What does certification mean in other professions?
Why is certification worthwhile? • Professional education and training • Raise the level of • Knowledge • Professionalism • Credibility • Enhance exchange of • Information • Insight
PROP’s ProgramA Case Study • Certified through Penn State University • Funded by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) • Administered by the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP) • Overseen by a committee • DEP Staff • PROP Staff • PROP Members • Penn State Staff
PROP’s ProgramRequirements • 40 CEU (Continuing Education Units) or 40 total hours of instruction • Core requirements • Practice & Theory (Two days/1.4 CEUs) • Core Electives (Pick three of eleven) • Other electives (10 – 18 hours) • Pass a comprehensive exam • 100 questions on basic information • 25 questions on your specialty
PROP’s ProgramSpecialties • Organics • Processing • Marketing • Collection • Education • Management
PROP’s ProgramOperators’ Certificates • Designed for operations staff • Requires only 25 hours of class time • No examination • Classes • Two required core courses • Two electives based on need & availability • Can be a foundation for full certification
Vision for a National StandardWhy is a standard worthwhile? • State-based programs with a national standard allow state-specific training • It’s transferrable - Means the same everywhere… • …and provides for universal credibility • An incentive for states to establish a comprehensive program • Provides a program template
What should that standard be? • At least 30 credit hours/30 CEUs • Accredited by a post-secondary institution • Include a comprehensive “Recycling 101” class • Passage of a comprehensive written exam
What are the barriers? • Biggest concerns or barriers were • Lack of funding • Didn’t know where to start • Reservations from members or boards was a concern in a few states