Mon, 01/30/2017 - 11:18

WASHINGTON (Jan. 30, 2017)—DC Water and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) announced the first certifications under the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP). The NGICP is designed to verify that the inaugural group of 62 has successfully demonstrated competency in the foundational knowledge, concepts and terminology required to perform tasks related to green infrastructure (GI) construction, inspection and maintenance, according to a statement from WEF. “We are preparing a workforce for the jobs we know are coming to support green infrastructure projects here in the District of Columbia and across the nation,” said George Hawkins, CEO and general manager of DC Water. “Armed with the training and skills this program provides, this first group of certificants will blaze a trail that many more will follow.” As a part of the program’s pilot phase, the inaugural NGICP exam was administered on Dec. 13 at seven locations nationally: Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Rockville, Maryland; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh; Fairfax, Virginia; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Both the exam and the first award of certifications are major milestones for the program, which was announced as a collaborative effort between DC Water and WEF in February 2016, according to the statement. Over the past year, DC Water, WEF and a group of NGICP partnering organizations from across the nation have been working to develop the program structure, components and requirements on an expedited schedule. Designed to meet international best-practice standards, the certification—including a requirement for regular recertification—will promote a skilled green workforce, help streamline the process of connecting qualified talent to in-demand jobs, support community-based job creation in U.S. cities, and establish national standards for professionals seeking to work on GI projects. The exam, currently offered through the NGICP partnering organizations, tested applicants on their knowledge of GI fundamentals, construction methods, and maintenance procedures. Additional pilot NGICP training sessions are expected in the spring and fall of 2017 with exam dates anticipated in June and November. Program administrators are using the results of this operational pre-test, which contains 141 questions, to create a 100-question standardized exam form that will be used for the national rollout in 2018. “The overwhelmingly positive response and interest in the NGICP credential has confirmed the need for this certification program and industry support of this valuable and growing segment of the water sector,” said WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill. “Through the NGICP we have a tremendous opportunity to reach new groups of people and to promote the implementation of GI projects and a skilled green workforce for the betterment of our communities, our economy, and our environment.”