Partnerships for Certification

Oct. 27, 2008
NICET and AFSA Team Up


Q: I want to know about major developments in national certifications and engineering technology standards, particularly NICET certification news. Any information you can share is greatly appreciated.

A: NICET is spearheading partnerships with industry leaders in fire protection, security systems, transportation, and construction. Its most recent partnership is with the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). The leaders of AFSA and the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) approved a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to mutual cooperation in the redesign and validation of the NICET Fire Protection Engineering Technology certification programs.

The MOU specifies that AFSA will make a financial contribution of $100,000 in direct and in-kind contributions to support continuing development of the NICET certification programs. An AFSA representative will sit on the NICET Leadership Advisory Group and the various Program Development Committees. NICET will recognize AFSA’s training programs and materials through the Training Provider Directory and both parties will utilize a new logo that co-brands AFSA as a NICET Industry Partner. Additionally, both parties agree to work together to explore alternatives for computer-based testing.

NICET is the leader in certifying the knowledge, skill and experience necessary for success in more than 35 engineering technology specialty areas. Fire Protection is one of the biggest markets for NICET, and the four programs currently being offered continue as some of the most popular and fastest growing areas within NICET.

The Industry Partner Initiative, a major long-term initiative authorized by the NICET Board of Governors in 2005, is all about connections and relationships that have always been the key to building and delivering the highest quality and most current certification programs for engineering technicians.

AFSA is the major provider for installer and layout technician training in the fire sprinkler industry. AFSA is a non-profit, international association representing fire sprinkler contractors, dedicated to the educational advancement of its members and promotion of the use of automatic fire sprinkler systems. AFSA represents approximately 750 companies and individuals in the United States and throughout the world. AFSA believes that the installation of fire sprinklers could save thousands of lives and billions of dollars lost to fire each year.

The NICET Institute was founded in 1961. More than 113,000 technicians and technologists have met NICET’s rigorous certification criteria, and the number grows rapidly as more employers and local and state governments rely on NICET certification to measure the qualifications of their workforce. NICET’s nationally recognized certification programs lay out a path for career advancement from entry to senior level responsibilities. NICET is a non-profit division of the National Society of Professional Engineers.