Here is the link:
http://www.inframation.org/certification.asp

Translation:

If you attend the FLIR (Vendor) Conference for 5 half days then you can get your ITC (FLIR) Certification renewed.

Does anyone wonder why maintenance related certifications are not providing the same additional career opportunities or enhanced pay for maintenance and reliability professionals as other industries and professions?

Terry O

Terrence,

I think proof of attendance of any conference might be acceptable.

"Attend a total of 5 half-day (2.5 days total) sessions at a thermography conference (like InfraMation) or ITC application course."

Bob is right, but there is an interesting little twist that is somewhat self-promotional! See attached.

Terry, I thank you for raising this issue. "Certification" among thermographers has always been complicated, in my opinion, by similar scenarios that seem to not quite fully comply with ASNT or ISO standards.

I have long been, and remain, a strong advocate of any certification system that is meaningful at qualifying people. I believe the ASNT scheme is an excellent one. I also respect that others feel ISO-compliant schemes will be better in that they are not employer based. In my experience over the past 24 years, either work well when administered with integrity.

Thermally yours,

John

Maybe there will be online certification at your own leisure and no need to apply for leaves to attend.

John,

When you follow the bouncing ball of money for equipment, money for training and money for certification - therein lies the rub as Willy S used to say!

Developing ISO Standards require separation between training bodies and certification bodies.

We have even heard of one IR certification that lasts a lifetime - even if you poke both your eye out! Last I heard you do need to see to be able to use IR imagers effectively.

What do you think company management thinks about such aspects of our industry?

Josh - I like the web as much as anyone and I hope your vision starts to come true.

It is really all about what your company values in terms of certification - as they pay the bills and they decide what is worthwile.

We know that the majority do not place much value on existing PdM certifications including Vibration and Ultrasound. It is the end user who sweated through training and testing that gets short changed when no additional career opportunities or increase in salary go along with earning this "professional" distinction.

It will remain as is as long as the market accepts it.

Terry O

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Terrence O'Hanlon,

If there were a choice among certifications, I would prefer one that carries ASNT certification.

Our industrial insurance recognizes only ASNT certifications.

Pete,

Unfortunately, many customers and most managers (and even some insurance companies) don't really understand what "ANST certification" means!

Certification that complies with ASNT standards/guidelines is granted by the employer. It is based on training, experience and testing. Many who say they are "ASNT Certified" are really saying they have taken a course that complies with ASNT educational guidelines. Many nukes, as you know, have more formal programs that actually do comply, at least much of the time.

I agree, Terry, that those paying the bills drive this. What we need to be clear about is that certification is an investment and, if managed properly, an investment that will pay handsome returns: higher quality and more consistent work. Another way to look at it is that unqualified thermographers will cost you with bad results and missed opportunities. Educating companies and customers about the value of meaningful certification of qualified people is an ongoing process.

Thermally yours,

John

I agree with electricpete and John that the ASNT scheme when correctly run(with proper working practice and procedures) is a very good system. The main problem with it is "certification by employer" effectively means "self certification" for many of the one man operations. This in my opinion is a bad thing and needs to be addressed.

Customers and insurance companies do not have the time or interest in assesing every thermographer and thermography company to ensure they have everything needed by ASNT, and they will not understand the difference between a one man operation with proper self certified ASNT and one claiming to be ASNT certified.

In my experiance insurance companies in particular are worried about this aspect of ASNT.

Terry,
JohnS is spot on when he says

quote:

It is based on training, experience and testing. Many who say they are "ASNT Certified" are really saying they have taken a course that complies with ASNT educational guidelines.

A certificate that is based merely on attendance is not worth the paper it is written on. There MUST be a test to verify knowledge/skill/cpmpetence if the certificate is to mean something to an employer or customer. Those organizations that dont follow this principle will devalue themselves in due course. Certificates must be earned, not bought.