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In this issue | October 2013

FEATURE COLUMN

Chicago Bound! IREC Connects with Industry @SPI

by Pat Fox, Director, IREC Credentialing Development

Pat Fox

 

We're packing our bags and heading to Chicago.  The Solar Power International Conference 2013 (SPI) is next week. The IREC Credentialing Program will be presenting and meeting with the solar industry on the exhibit floor of SPI to engage the industry and help them understand the value of credentialing.

 

The solar market is growing and, as reported by the Solar Foundation, this is creating jobs across the country.  Both of these facts raise the importance of credentialing. An assessment process grounded in a foundation of industry-validated standards is an essential building block for a growing market.  Credentials provide an indicator to help consumers and industry clearly identify value.

 

During the IREC 3iForum at SPI, we'll be talking with the industry about the market value of the IREC Training Provider Accreditation, and the Instructor and Master Trainer Certifications. We will focus our discussion with a group of utilities, business and education representatives as we continue to raise awareness of our workforce development initiatives and drive the value of our programs forward.

 

It will be a lively week filled with useful information on quality workforce development. Look for news about steps we're taking to broaden the understanding and impact of credentialing in the clean energy industry through the combined efforts of the top credentialing organizations uniquely focused on clean energy.

 

Several of the core requirements for accreditation or certification from IREC demand a strong linkage with industry. We believe that our Credentialing Program needs to meet a threshold for connecting with industry as well. Through our planned activities at SPI, we will be actively listening, building bridges and broadening our engagement with industry representatives to ensure that our standards and our credentials continue to raise the bar and support the need for high quality workforce development.  

 

I hope we'll see you there!

Pat Fox Sig  

 

 

EVENTS
 
OCT
Chicago, IL

 

10/22-24 |  IREC 3iForum
Information. Innovation. Inspiration.
30-minute insight sessions at SPI booth #3038
Chicago, IL

 

10/22 |  IREC 3iAwards
Solar Central Booth #1343 at SPI
Chicago, IL

 

NOV
11/11-14 |  ICE Conference
Amelia Island, FL

 

Orlando, FL

Saratoga Springs, NY


2014
JAN
2-3:30p ET

 

Visit IREC's online calendar for more events.
Credentialing program square logo
 
The IREC Credentialing Program lays the foundation for a competent workforce for the clean energy economy. Using robust standards and a detailed process of application and assessment, IREC drives quality workforce training and increased consumer confidence in the industry.  


The New IREC Credentialing Standards: From the Working Group's Perspective

By Jane Pulaski 

IREC Social Communications

"The update to this standard made a great standard even better. A training provider or instructor who has earned the right to claim an IREC accreditation or certification is telling everyone that they won't settle for anything less than world class training." Glenn Mauney, Everblue 
 
For more than one year, a diverse group of national subject matter experts painstakingly pored over the standard, always mindful of keeping current with the industry and increasing the value of credentials based on the standards. Their dedication and commitment to the process was significant. More.
Newsmaker Interview
ACI's Carla Maxwell, Member of Credentialing Working Group 

By Jane Pulaski 

IREC Social Communications

Carla Maxwell, program development manager for Affordable Comfort Inc. (ACI), was a member of IREC's Credentialing Program Standard 01022 Working Group, which was charged with the formidable task of revising the standard, breaking it up into two new standards: one for provider accreditation; the other for trainer certification. 
Carla sat with IREC and shared her experience about the process the working group went through to come up with two new standards. More.

NEXT WEEK: IREC's 3iForum and 3iAwards at Solar Power International!

 

 

After months of preparation and planning, we're ready for Chicago! Join IREC for its first 3iForumthree days of insightful 30-minute sessions from solar thought leaders, on the floor of Solar Power International (SPI) at the Solar Industry Trends booth #3038, October 22-24 in Chicago. In addition to IREC's Credentialing team, here's a sample of what you can expect:
  • Building the Market: IREC Tackling Issues You Need for Success
  • Future of Net Metering
  • Why Market Valued IREC Credentials Matter
  • Better Trained Workers Affect Your Bottom Line: The Solar Instructor Training Network at Work
  • IREC's Annual Solar Market Trends Report
  • Improving Interconnection: Integrated Distribution Planning
  • Shared Solar: Growing the Consumer Base
Click here for details about these sessions, including days and times. 

 

  

 

 

Join us at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 22 in Renewable Energy World's Solar Central Booth #1343 for IREC's 3iAwards ceremony. We'll celebrate the best of the nation's trailblazers whose passion to change the status quo in renewable energy and energy efficiency enables and inspires others to transform communities with lasting solutions. Awards include IREC Accredited Training Program of the Year and IREC Certified Trainer of the Year!  We'll also recognize a State & Local Government Project of the Year and a Community Renewable Project of the Year. 
 
As always, we'll recognize our Special Recognition Awardees, those extraordinary individuals who give so generously of their time and talents to help IREC. Can't wait to see you! (Yes, there will be cake!)
ANSI-IREC Accreditation Informational Webinar

Want to learn more about the ANSI-IREC Accreditation Program? Wondering if your organization is eligible to apply, and how to talk with stakeholders about the value accreditation can add to your program?

Join IREC and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on Tuesday, January 16, 2014, 2-3:30 pm EST for an overview of the requirements and process for the ANSI-IREC Accreditation Program for clean energy certificate programs. Attendees' specific questions will be answered, with a focus on informing their decisions about applying for the program. Register


RESOURCES
IREC's Training Directories Can Help You Find...

IREC's Solar Licensing Database is a web-based resource for policy makers, practitioners, consumers, and anyone else looking for solar licensing information in the U.S. In the database, licensing requirements for installing photovoltaic and solar thermal systems are documented for each state. To keep pace with changes, IREC updates the database weekly. Visit the database.
About IREC
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is a non-profit organization that believes clean energy is critical to achieving a sustainable and economically strong future. To pave this clean energy path, IREC works to expand consumer access to clean energy; generates information and objective analysis grounded in best practices and standards; and leads programs to build a quality clean energy workforce, including a unique credentialing program for renewable energy and energy efficiency training providers and instructors. Since 1982, IREC's programs and policies have benefitted energy consumers, policymakers, utilities and the clean energy industry. As of July 2013, IREC is an accredited American National Standards Developer.

Disclaimer 
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process that is referred to or linked to in this newsletter. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply IREC's endorsement or recommendation. 
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