National Sustainable Structures Center programs receive national accreditation

The National Sustainable Structures Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology, an acknowledged leader in building science and energy-efficiency training, has received national accreditation for two of its Home Energy Professional training programs.The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, a top accreditation and credentialing body for training programs and instructors in the clean energy field, has given its official approval to NSSC’s Home Energy Professional Retrofit Installer Technician and Energy Auditor training programs, which are accredited under the IREC Standard 01022:2011.“This accreditation is confirmation of what we have known for nearly 30 years,” Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour said. “NSSC and its predecessor, the Weatherization Training Center, have long provided credible training that reflects our dedication to hands-on workforce preparation.”The decision followed an extensive audit of NSSC’s processes, policies, curricula, personnel and ties to industry – culminating in a two-day site visit in early August. Based on the strengths noted in that overall assessment, IREC issued its approval notification Aug. 30.“I found their program to be well-managed and complete,” IREC assessor Rebecca Prokity wrote in her closing report. “They work very closely with industry partners to ensure their program meets industry needs and they have assisted in the development of many other training programs.”She also commended the state-of-the-art technology available in the training facilities, the organization and efficiency of program administrators, the thoroughness and security of recordkeeping, and excellent training program curriculum.“IREC accreditation is the renewable energy industry’s equivalent to Middle States (accreditation),” said Alison A. Dillon, NSSC’s assistant director and lead person for the accreditation effort, likening the IREC designation to that of the national commission that periodically reviews how well Penn College meets a rigorous roster of educational and operational standards. “It’s a real feather in our cap, and makes us one of the first 12 training centers in the nation to receive IREC accreditation.”Dillon said NSSC plans to submit accreditation applications for the two remaining Home Energy Professional training programs: Crew Leader and Quality Control Inspector.For more information about the National Sustainable Structures Center, including the courses offered from its Reach Road headquarters in Williamsport, visit www.pct.edu/nssc or call 570-327-4768.For more about Penn College, which will mark 100 years as an educational institution of national reputation in 2014, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.