Here's hoping you had a great finish to 2009, and are moving full speed ahead into 2010! The IICRC is looking forward to another busy year, processing an average of 130 certification classes each month.
Here’s hoping you had a great finish to 2009 and are moving
full speed ahead into the New Year. IICRC is looking forward to another busy
year in 2010, processing an average of 130 Certification classes each month
with an average attendance of 15 students per class.
Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) continues to be
the most popular certification category, followed by Carpet Cleaning Technician
(CCT). With the economy showing signs of recovery, service companies are seeing
a general upturn in business, and this is reflected in training class
attendance.
The IICRC continues to make progress on the Carpet
Installation Standard (S600), with committees hard at work preparing the
technical chapters for the reference guide. While completion is estimated to be
more than 2 years away, the excitement is beginning to build, as groups that
some thought would never even be in the same room are working together.
The revision process of the Carpet Cleaning Standard (S100)
has completed the peer review period and is nearing the final stages of ANSI
accreditation and then publication. This will be the 5th Edition of the S100
and IICRC’s third ANSI-accredited Standard.
The newly established Commercial Drying Specialist (CDS)
certification category is up and running. The first classes have been very well
received, and there is a lot of enthusiasm for this specialty drying
discipline. For details on classes in a specific area, check the class listing
at www.iicrc.org. Work is also being done to communicate with major insurance
carriers about recommending IICRC-certified restoration professionals and
remediators.
Many IICRC-certified technicians are looking for ways to
meet their continuing education requirements in order to maintain their
credentials. There are hundreds of approved events that qualify for Continuing
Education Credits (CECs) listed on the IICRC web site at www.iicrc.org, where
you’ll find distance learning opportunities as well. The purpose of the CEC
requirement is to assure that IICRC-certified technicians remain on the leading
edge of technology and current on all industry best practices.
New IICRC President Patrick Winters has been very active in
attending various industry events, working to reach out and maintain contact
with IICRC registrants on a firsthand basis. In the past few months alone he
has attended the ISSA Convention; Connections; The Starnet Convention; the
Floor Covering Industry Issues Council; the IICRC Instructor Symposium and of
course the IICRC Certification Council and Board of Directors meetings.
The IICRC will be exhibiting at Surface in February, with
the Executive Committee meeting immediately following. Any inspection, cleaning
or restoration professionals attending the show should be sure to stop by the
IICRC booth to register for continuing education credits available for
attending.
The IICRC Certified Firm program continues to provide
benefits in the form of articles, press releases, marketing support, job
referrals, and much more. Now at well over 5,000 Certified Firms, the highest number ever, IICRC
Certification has been established as the preferred credential among industry professionals, insurance
claim specialists, and carpet manufacturers. Having now grown beyond the 60,000
active technician level, IICRC is looking forward to continued growth through
2010.
Remember to promote your certification credentials in all
your business promotions. We are working hard to maintain a high level of
recognition and awareness of certification. Together we can truly make a
difference.
Full Speed Ahead