Update on Certification Progress

The information provided here is an update on the status of the development of the certification process.

In May, 2008 the Dangerous Goods Trainers Association (DGTA) was accepted as an independent sub-committee of the National Environmental, Safety and Health Training Association (NESHTA).  By being a part of NESHTA, DGTA is provided administrative support and expertise on the development of recognized, accredited certification examinations. 

NESHTA’s guidance and support has been invaluable so far and is one of the reasons DGTA has been able to make as much progress as it has working with volunteers who are committed to this process but are working full time jobs.  Another advantage to teaming with NESHTA is that all DGTA members will be full members in NESHTA and have access to the many services and benefits provided to their membership.  For more information on NESHTA and the benefits it provides, please visit their web site at www.neshta.org. 

To find more information about DGTA and download an application form for membership, please visit our website at www.dgtrainers.org.

As part of our goal for having accredited certifications in the training of transportation regulations NESHTA has guided DGTA in the many tasks that must be completed.  There are now some critical steps that must be followed to develop accredited examinations.  These include:

1. Develop a “Need to Know” document that is an outline of the core knowledge a trainer needs to effectively train that would be the basis of the subject matter expertise certification examinations.
2. Develop a set of questions, based on the Need to Know document that can be used for the instructor certification examinations (core knowledge, specific state regulations, modal requirements)
3. Vet the questions developed to determine if they meet the standards for accreditation
4. Validate the examinations.

NEED TO KNOW DOCUMENT
We have started the development of the Need to Know outline.  The document, thus far, has been developed with input from approximately 30 DG trainers, shippers, regulators, and other interested parties from various countries.  Once the draft is completed each of you will receive a copy for your review.  We would appreciate it if you could take the time to review the document for any critical items that were missed, confusing phrasing, or country/mode specific recommendations.  The feedback received will be consolidated into a final document that will be used to start the question development.

DEVELOP EXAM QUESTIONS

Using the final Need to Know document, a DGTA meeting is scheduled 21 October, 2008 in conjunction with the Labelmaster Trainers Symposium in Deerfield Beach, FL. 

NESHTA will be providing a facilitator at the meeting to explain the "how to do this next task in accreditation terms” and help us start writing the questions so that they meet the accreditation requirements.  Those attending will begin the second step of creating a pool of 200 plus questions to be used in the exams.  

We need everyone’s' help with this part.  If you are coming to the Labelmaster Symposium, please plan to attend our meeting on the 21st.  

If you are not able to attend, but have questions that you are willing to share, please email them to us and we will include them for review.  To find the details for registering for the Dangerous Goods Instructors Symposium and hotel information, go to http://www.airregs.com/conferences. 

Also, if you are planning on attending the DGTA meeting on the Tuesday morning before the conference, please send an e-mail to jbeerbower@scs-safety.com with “DGTA October Meeting” in the subject line to let us know you will be there.

VET EXAM QUESTIONS & VALIDATE EXAM

If you are unable to attend the meeting 21 October, 2008 in Deerfield Beach, FL, we still need your help in validating the exam questions the group will develop.  If you have time to volunteer in this process, please contact Joyce Beerbower at jbeerbower@scs-safety.com and let her know you are willing to assist.  Your help is greatly needed and will be greatly appreciated.

OTHER ISSUES

In addition to taking the certification examinations, DGTA is looking into granting reciprocity accepting other certifications.  These certifications must meet certain standards as required by our certifying body, but examples might be Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors and other government issued certification holders.  Please let us know if you feel there are other certifications that should be looked at for this consideration.

Thank you for your interest in DGTA and the certification process.  We hope to have the Body of Knowledge document distributed to you within the next few days.