The finishing touches are being made on a certification program for contractors and installers in the CCTV industry. The specifics of the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies’ (NICET) Video Security Systems certification program have now been posted for review.
The program – supported by the Security Industry Association (SIA), the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA) and the PSA Security Network – is designed to give industry professionals an opportunity to be up to speed on the correct way to install systems. Levels of certification are being established for video security designers and video security technicians
“The intention was to deal with the problem of bad installations by bad installers,” says Brian Gifford, NICET manager of certification development. “Bad installations are costing companies. We want to improve the reputation of the industry so no one sees poor work being done.”
The program has been a long time in coming. SIA announced in late 1999 that it was working on creating a CCTV certification program with NICET.
The Video Security Systems program will have two tracks: a two-level certification for designers and a four-level certification for installers. At each level, a written exam will measure applicants’ job knowledge. A committee of CCTV experts has designed a content outline for each of the six tests, which are now up for review.
NICET is seeking the input of installers and designers of fixed-camera video security systems with more than six months of experience to participate in a survey to determine whether the program’s content is an accurate reflection of CCTV industry practice.
To sign up to receive the survey by E-mail, go to www.nicet.org.
