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Importance of IREC and their Course and Instructor Accreditation

 

With the hopes of making the use of fossil fuels a thing of the past, the progress towards renewable energy is definitely gaining much speed. The use of wind and solar energy systems to power the world is already at the people’s fingertips however the principle of “too many cooks, spoil the pot” can aptly fit this situation as there are so many hobbyists, enthusiasts, and serious experts who claim to be masters of this science. Who can one trust when it comes to learning how to harness this energy safely and effectively? This is where the Interstate Renewable Energy Council or IREC comes into play. The IREC is a non-profit organization that is the premiere resource for information, education, and credentialing of everything relevant to renewable energy from the basics to the actually harnessing of it.  Throughout its presence for 27 years, the IREC is a governing body that adopts and implements uniform guidelines, standards and quality assessment in most renewable energy programs. The organization is what has “set the bar” and maintains the bar in all best practices involved in programs such as Thermodynamics and Systems, Energy and Environment, Alternative Energies, Fuel Cell Fundamentals, Photovoltaic Engineering and other relevant courses.

Learning to use all these renewable energy technologies can be readily available with the thanks of the bookstores, media, and of course the internet. However, this can be one huge pitfall for very eager enthusiasts. By simply getting one theory from here, another kind of application and even misinterpreting a lecture from non-knowledgeable hobbyists, the most likely result will be a hodge-podge of disaster. Not just to the person, but even to the environment and the community. With increasing interest to participate in renewable energy programs or courses, prospective students would like to know which schools, universities or training providers have the best curriculum, facilities and of course, application of theory to actually practice.  To avoid any patchwork educational system, the IREC utilizes the Institute of Sustainable Power Quality (ISPQ) framework of standards to keep the consistency of not just the content of the programs in universities or providers but the upholding of facility requirements, teaching qualifications, technological trends and updates and improvement in the field of renewable energy. Being consistent is the main component of quality. With this ISP accreditation, people are assured that the curriculum, facilities and training faculty have met the standards.

As training providers seek this accreditation, specific requirements must be fulfilled. Key points are as follows: programs are to be designed to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and attitude needed for professional trade via standard curriculum content, facilities are safe and sufficient for effective learning, and proper policies and guidelines are established for management and administrative leadership.

The ISP has created and developed five accreditation and certification recognitions: The Training Program Accreditation for a school, university or training provider that provides ISPQ evaluated and approved courses; The Continuing Education Provider Accreditation for providers of short courses or workshops related to renewable energy and efficient; The Affiliated Master Trainer Certification which recognizes experienced instructors who can teach both students and fellow trainers on subjects of renewable energy and efficiency as is employed by an accredited institution; The Independent Master Trainer Certification gives the same recognition as the one before but can work outside a fixed program as long as quality is ensured; and the Instructor Certification which recognizes the a professional to teach renewable energy and efficiency courses and is employed by an ISP Accredited body.

Achieving ISPQ accreditation means that an institute undergoes a stringent barrage of evaluations to ensure that all standards and metrics are met. There are five sections of standards that are applicable to the above mentioned recognitions: Core standards - a requirement for all five recognitions that state 7 core values such as non-discrimination, avoiding conflict of interest, confidentiality, release of information, commitment to safe practices and safety, commitment to professionalism and quality and appropriate training and experience. The next four tiers or ranks: Tier 1 is applicable for Accredited Training Programs, Continuing Education providers, and Independent Master Trainers wherein a defined syllabus for every course, facilities requirements optimal, and information materials are up to date; Tier 2 touches on commitment to quality and internal auditing, task analysis and the like for Accredited training programs and Independent Master Trainers; Tier 3 is attaining a documentation system and quality management of faculty for Accredited Training programs and Tier 4 are for all trainers and instructors ensuring the capacity to be efficient teachers through theory and practice and expertise in the subject matter.

In any learning institution, the instructor is the best learning tool that the learners should have aside from having the top facilities. Keeping this as a premium, the ISPQ has a very high requirement that carefully evaluates teaching experience which encompasses educational pedagogy and paradigms as represented in their degrees and the amount of actual teaching or training time in practical application. Certified instructors must have a documented total of 470 hours of teaching as the higher level instructors must sum up 1280 hours.

The IREC takes steps in making sure that these renewable energies are taught by the best using a program that is sound, accurate and encompassing of the trends and developments. When one sees an institution that has the ISPQ accreditation, price shouldn’t take the front seat in making a decision. Quality should. When training is concerned, the ISPQ makes sure that learning doesn’t cost, it pays.