certifications
- Thread starter charlie
- Start date
Good question Charlie
Beth & Rod
SR Wood Geek / Moderator
Now THAT is a WONDERFUL idea!
I think that is a great idea!
I have seen it used very effectively to promote organizations, such as PWNA, the individuals or organizations that get certified, and raise the level of awareness and professionalism in an industry as a whole.
The only problem that I have with it is that the certifications that are currently available are a bit limited. Our company specializes in Roof Cleaning, but there is no certification for that.
If possible, I would like to see additional certification programs for
I think these would benefit many people that visit these boards. I think it would also increase membership in PWNA. But more importantly, I think it could create more of an awareness on the part of the general public of our industry and distinguish professionals from the "fly-by-night" companies.
I have seen it used very effectively to promote organizations, such as PWNA, the individuals or organizations that get certified, and raise the level of awareness and professionalism in an industry as a whole.
The only problem that I have with it is that the certifications that are currently available are a bit limited. Our company specializes in Roof Cleaning, but there is no certification for that.
If possible, I would like to see additional certification programs for
- Roof Cleaning (Quality & Safety)
Flatwork
Housewashing
Equipment Operation
I think these would benefit many people that visit these boards. I think it would also increase membership in PWNA. But more importantly, I think it could create more of an awareness on the part of the general public of our industry and distinguish professionals from the "fly-by-night" companies.
Pete Marentay
Distinguished Professors
Certification questions
Hey, Charlie!
Your question hits the mark as far as certification goes. Promoting certified contractors is a top goal of the organization.
As you have probably already heard, PWNA is revamping the website and this is one of the proposed changes. There will be a "Find a Contractor" feature where consumers (commercial or residential) can locate nearby PWNA members. As it looks right now, alongside every contractors contact information will be their specialty (if they have one) and all certification credentials they have from the PWNA.
As far as press releases go, we have developed some press releases that you, as a contractor, can modify for your use and send to the local paper that best suits your needs. Press releases are generally very hard to get printed unless they have some national importance or local interest. A national press release has virtually no chance of being published.
The BOD has looked at the idea of placing promotional ads for certified contractors in magazines, but that approach has a few problems. It is hard to identify the right publications that will be read by the broadest group of decision-making consumers, and it is pretty darn expensive to do that as well. For example, what national magazine would you select if you wanted to reach people who have decks and fences that need to be cleaned and sealed? A full-page ad in any national magazine that reaches homeowners is ridiculously expensive. For example, a 1/4 page ad in USA Today (which could be missed by some of its target audience because of size) would cost between $28,000 and $34,000 per day. PWNA just doesn't have that kind of resources.
That doesn't mean that we have abandoned the idea of promoting the use of certified contractors. Just the opposite. This is the obvious direction that everyone wants to go. We need to find innovative ways to accomplish this that really work and are affordable. All ideas are welcomed. It may turn out that the most practical solutions involve the member doing the promotion using materials that are created by us. An example of that is the new 12-panel color brochure we have just introduced promoting environmental awareness and the hiring of a "Professional PWNA Member".
Lets face it. Certification is all about adopting higher standards in order to differentiate ourselves from non-certifed contractors. This is something that we have to "sell" - both as an organization and as individual members. Its up to both parties, working together, to get the job done.
Lets hear ideas!
At my last count, there were 79 members certified in wood renewal.
Hey, Charlie!
Your question hits the mark as far as certification goes. Promoting certified contractors is a top goal of the organization.
As you have probably already heard, PWNA is revamping the website and this is one of the proposed changes. There will be a "Find a Contractor" feature where consumers (commercial or residential) can locate nearby PWNA members. As it looks right now, alongside every contractors contact information will be their specialty (if they have one) and all certification credentials they have from the PWNA.
As far as press releases go, we have developed some press releases that you, as a contractor, can modify for your use and send to the local paper that best suits your needs. Press releases are generally very hard to get printed unless they have some national importance or local interest. A national press release has virtually no chance of being published.
The BOD has looked at the idea of placing promotional ads for certified contractors in magazines, but that approach has a few problems. It is hard to identify the right publications that will be read by the broadest group of decision-making consumers, and it is pretty darn expensive to do that as well. For example, what national magazine would you select if you wanted to reach people who have decks and fences that need to be cleaned and sealed? A full-page ad in any national magazine that reaches homeowners is ridiculously expensive. For example, a 1/4 page ad in USA Today (which could be missed by some of its target audience because of size) would cost between $28,000 and $34,000 per day. PWNA just doesn't have that kind of resources.
That doesn't mean that we have abandoned the idea of promoting the use of certified contractors. Just the opposite. This is the obvious direction that everyone wants to go. We need to find innovative ways to accomplish this that really work and are affordable. All ideas are welcomed. It may turn out that the most practical solutions involve the member doing the promotion using materials that are created by us. An example of that is the new 12-panel color brochure we have just introduced promoting environmental awareness and the hiring of a "Professional PWNA Member".
Lets face it. Certification is all about adopting higher standards in order to differentiate ourselves from non-certifed contractors. This is something that we have to "sell" - both as an organization and as individual members. Its up to both parties, working together, to get the job done.
Lets hear ideas!
At my last count, there were 79 members certified in wood renewal.
Mike Hughes
Former Board Administrator
It is a large undertaking and commitment to initiate a new certification classification. The most recent addition was the Enviromental Awareness and Cleaning.
I'm sure we will work in some others in the future, but it's not easy because we need to teach classes about them, and we have limited time available to do so (at the conventions).
As the organization grows, I think it will become easier to do this, maybe we could even have regional training sessions, if the interest is there. Only time will tell.
Thanks for your suggestions.
I'm sure we will work in some others in the future, but it's not easy because we need to teach classes about them, and we have limited time available to do so (at the conventions).
As the organization grows, I think it will become easier to do this, maybe we could even have regional training sessions, if the interest is there. Only time will tell.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Pete Marentay
Distinguished Professors
Foof For Thought
John, I have posted your suggestion about other courses on the PWNA BBS for the board members to discuss.
As chairman of the Certification Committee, I can tell you that we have our hands full at this time. We could use some more help, if you are in the position to volunteer some time.
Once the dust settles (after Pittsburgh) we will set the direction for the next year with the rest of the Board. Safety training is probably the next highest priority, and the courses you suggested would probably fall in right after that. We'll keep you posted.
John, I have posted your suggestion about other courses on the PWNA BBS for the board members to discuss.
As chairman of the Certification Committee, I can tell you that we have our hands full at this time. We could use some more help, if you are in the position to volunteer some time.
Once the dust settles (after Pittsburgh) we will set the direction for the next year with the rest of the Board. Safety training is probably the next highest priority, and the courses you suggested would probably fall in right after that. We'll keep you posted.