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PEARL Technician Certification Takes another Giant Step in 2017
Doug Powell, PEARL President

In May 2014, PEARL made good on a promise to the membership and rolled out the PEARL Technician Certification Program. With the help of dozens of subject matter experts from both within and outside of PEARL's membership, a project that had been underway for nearly 3 years completed a major milestone with its Level l technician certification. It was a very proud moment for those of us who had worked so hard on the programs development. Since that first technician certification in 2014, PEARL has received nearly 100 applications from technicians who want to become certified. Both business owners and technicians alike are beginning to realize the value that an industry specific certification program can bring to their business, employee morale and to the career path of a technician in our industry. In fact, the program has been so successful, the most frequently asked question we hear from owners and technicians is, when will the Level ll certification be available? The answer to this question is, very soon. We have a very hardworking and dedicated committee of exam developers that are putting the final touches on the Level ll exam. Our goal is that we will be ready to start receiving applications by February or March 2017.

As we approach another milestone with PEARL and Technician Certification, I would like to discuss what you can expect at Level ll certification. As you might have noticed in the Certification Handbook, exam eligibility requirements start to change beginning at level ll. Unlike Level l, which had few Educational/Training requirements except for a High School/GED degree, Level ll PEARL certification will have increased eligibility requirements. Specifically, the new eligibility requirements will be in the area of continued education and training requirements for work safety and technical training. Beginning at Level ll, a technician will be required to show evidence that they have received a minimum of 20 hours of safety training and 40 hours of technical training within the past 3 years.  Training certificates or transcripts will be required as part of the Verification Form which will be mailed to your employer after completion of your online application. Although this requirement will add slightly to the application and verification process, we expect that most of our members and technicians will understand that this requirement will add greater credibility to the PEARL Technician Certification Program throughout the industry.

For those technicians wanting to advance their careers by achieving Level ll PEARL certification, but finding that they are slightly short of the required training hours, no worries PEARL has your back. Both technical and safety training will be offered at this year's PEARL conference. If you sign-up for the pre-conference technical workshop on Friday and the technician training workshop on Saturday, you will receive 10 continued education hours that will count toward your Level ll application eligibility.

For those who are interested in taking the Level II exam at the Newport Beach conference this year, look for more news coming soon from PEARL on how to be ready for Level ll certification at the conference.  Please make plans now to join us on April 6-9, 2017 at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach California for the 20th Annual PEARL Electrical Safety, Reliability and Sustainability Conference & Exhibition. Plan to have your technicians in attendance to learn firsthand from industry subject matter experts.

Sincerly,





a
Doug Powell, PEARL President
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PEARL Wishes You a Happy Holiday Season
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It's that time of the year when we look to wrap up projects and tasks for 2016 and start to plan for the coming year. To help make things easier in a time where  schedules filling up with travel, meetings, and hopefully some holiday fun, we at PEARL want to remind you that your membership expires December 31, 2016. The main contact of your organization should have received a renewal notice in the past weeks. With the new membership database system, renewing is easier than ever, but should you or the person renewing experience issues, please contact PEARL headquarters at 877-287-3275.

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conference
Sponsorship and Exhibit Opportunities Now Available for the 2017 Annual Conference

Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities for the 2017 Annual Conference have been made available, and options are going fast! Be sure to secure your sponsorship or booth space before they're gone. Click here to review this year's options.

And be sure to be with PEARL April 6-9, 2017, as we head to Newport Beach, California! This year's conference will have a sub-theme focused around disaster recovery. Schedule of events are coming soon!

See you in California!
Dec 2016,  Vol. 90

IN THIS ISSUE



Leadership Corner

PEARL News


Congratulations to the Newest Level I Certified Technicians!

Tyler Reid Holland
Southland Electrical Supply

Tim Burgess
Southwest Electritech Services




25th Annual IEEE IAS Electrical Safety Workshop
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PEARL is now accepting applications for Level 1 Technician Certification. For more information, click here, or contact [email protected].
PEARL offers some of the most competitive advertising rates in the industry with the PEARL$AFE monthly newsletter. Reach over 11,000 people with your ad! Click here to review the e-Newsletter media kit. Have questions? Contact PEARL at [email protected].

 

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