October 2014—The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) has announced plans to develop a new certification program for operators of pile driving rigs. This equipment is used primarily in the construction industry for driving piles to provide foundation support for buildings or other structures.
Volunteers for the Task Force that will develop the new program are currently being sought, with a view to program development beginning before year-end. Subject matter experts who would like to participate on the Task Force are encouraged to download an application form.
The new program is being developed in cooperation with the Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA). PDCA’s membership of pile driving experts will team with the NCCCO community on a Task Force that will provide valuable resources throughout the program development process. “We are pleased to be joining with NCCCO in creating a certification program for pile driving rig operators based on professionally developed assessment tools that will effectively test the knowledge and skill required to operate this type of equipment safely and effectively and in accordance with all national standards,” said PDCA Executive Director, Stevan Hall.
Experts in their respective fields will staff the Task Force and will be guided by psychometric consultants from International Assessment Institute (IAI), the testing services company that has provided exam development and administration services to NCCCO since 1999. Other experts will serve as item writers to develop the actual exam questions. As with the current programs, a professional job task analysis will be conducted to serve as the foundation for exam development activities.
NCCCO Director of Operations and Program Development, Joel Oliva, stated that development of the new certification program would begin in the fourth quarter of 2014 and continue throughout 2015. “We are developing a schedule where the development of the program could be complete within 14 months of our first meeting,” he said. “With the help of PDCA and their subject matter experts, we could have a program finalized by early 2016.”
“NCCCO’s expertise in the development of operator certification programs in the crane and heavy equipment industry and the widespread adoption of their programs throughout these industries are two of the many reasons PDCA believes that NCCCO is the appropriate entity to develop and administer this new program,” said Hall.
Like all other certification programs that NCCCO has developed, this new Pile Driving Rig Operator Program will rely on three major resources. “The new program will draw on industry support, subject matter expertise, and psychometric guidance,” said Oliva. “All elements of the new program will be developed according to the same strict psychometric standards that are a hallmark of all of NCCCO’s certification programs. The resulting certification process will be fair, valid, reliable, and legally defensible.”