So Lohens jumped at the chance totake some training and become an ISACertified Control Systems Technician®

(CCST).“With building engineers, it’s like they

speak a different language. Now (afterstudying for the exam), when they’retalking about pressure and reverse-actingvalves, I know what they mean,’’ saidLohens. Plus, he’s got the certification toprove he knows what they’re talking

about. He has been CCST certified for21/2 years.

Instrumentation is becoming a moreprominent part of many electricians’jobs. IBEW members are often responsi-ble for installing instruments and controldevices, making sure the equipmentinteracts with the wiring systems safelyand effectively.

“More and more companies are askingfor electricians who have instrumentation

While Daniel Lohens has been an electrician for 21 years, his

current job at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport brings him into con-

tact with building engineers and their instruments and measur-

ing devices.

10 IBEW JOURNAL, NOVEMBER 2000

CCST Training Offers

experience and can prove it,’’ said Eliza-beth Price, certification manager of ISA,the international society for measurementand control. “That’s why we workedtogether with the IBEW, management,and other unions to develop this certifica-tion program.’’

In some instances, explains Price,companies say they need to prove com-petency as a requirement of meetingOSHA standards.

Since instrumentation is a minor por-tion of most electricians’ apprenticeshiptraining, ISA can offer IBEW locals helpin getting their journeymen trained andready to take the certification exam.

ISA also makes testing convenient forelectricians by offering private exams at

CCST Training Offers

the union hall. Union members cancoordinate with other members of theirlocal and schedule a test site and datethat fits their schedule, with no extratime off the job for travel. “There is nosite fee for a private exam, and ISA willpay for the proctor,’’ Price says.

Since its start in 1995, the CCST pro-gram has become popular amongemployers, supervisors, and union elec-tricians and pipefitters. More than 5,800have applied and slightly more than3,500 are now certified.

“Employers are able to document theskill level of their employees through athird-party, internationally recognizedorganization,’’ Price says. The certificationis particularly helpful for companies ful-filling ISO 9000 and OSHA requirements.

To develop the certification, ISA per-formed a national job analysis surveywith the Instrument Technicians LaborManagement Cooperation Fund, theInstrument Contractor and EngineeringAssociation (ICEA), the United Associa-tion of Plumbers & Pipefitters (UA) andthe IBEW.

The team selected eight performancedomains that needed to be covered oneach exam. The eight domains are cali-bration, loop checking, troubleshooting,start-up, documentation, project organi-zation and administration, maintenance/repair and using microprocessor-basedinstruments and controllers.

The Level I and Level III tests have175 multiple-choice questions. The LevelII exam contains eight simulated writtenproblems that test the candidate’s deci-sion-making, troubleshooting, and pro-fessional judgment in practical situations.The exams are constantly reviewed tomake sure they stay up-to-date with thechanging technology in the field.

Level I candidates must have a totalof five years of education, trainingand/or experience. Registered apprentice-

ships in instruments, measurement andcontrol, electronics, electrical and/ormechanical programs count, as does anacademic degree (up to four years) in arelated field and related work experience.

Level II technicians must have a seven-year combination of education, trainingand work experience with two yearscoming specifically in instrumentation/measurement and control. Level III tech-nicians must have a 13-year combinationof work and training with five years ofdirect instrumentation/measurement andcontrol.

All technicians must renew their cer-tificate every three years. The processinvolves submitting documentation that atechnician has completed 120 profes-sional development (PD) points. Pointscome from work experience, additionaleducation and activities that advance theprofession such as attending trainingcourses or local meetings in the instru-mentation field or related technologies.

In the far western suburbs of Chicago,IBEW Local 461 has run two prep coursesfollowed by private exams. Journeymenin the Aurora area needed more instru-mentation skills to work on the largenumber of power generating plants beingbuilt in the area. “If we get a specialty calland you’ve got the qualifications, you goout ahead of someone else,’’ explainstraining director Mike Foulkes.

Locals have a number of options tochoose from to get their techniciansready for the CCST exam:

� Offer training at the union hall cover-ing the eight performance domains ofthe CCST exam.

� Include instrumentation instruction inthe apprentice courses. John Prender-gast, assistant electrical coordinatorwith IBEW Local 134 in Chicago,does this. Level I certification requiresfive years of training or experience.

So if the course were offered midwaythrough an apprenticeship, the stu-dents would have to wait until theend of their apprenticeship to takethe test.

� Request an onsite offering of ISA’sreview course (TS00). This brings theinstructor and course materials to you,but requires the technicians to be outof the field for the duration of theclass. The downtime might be worth itif a major project is coming along thatrequires electricians with extensiveinstrumentation backgrounds.

A local ISA Section can locate aninstructor in your area. The courses canbe stretched out over several nights orweekends for the convenience of theunion members. Foulkes of the Auroralocal did this and found an instructorwho helped several of his electriciansprepare for the exam. Foulkes says, “Ithink the best way to do it is to have acombination of an ISA course and a jour-neyman electrician teaching it.’’

Electricians say the extra time spentin class is well worth it. “It has given thepeople I’ve done jobs for a lot moreconfidence in what I can do,’’ said JoeMangano, Jr., a member of Chicago Local134 and CCST.

Both Mangano and Lohens haveencouraged other electricians to sign upand take CCST classes. The reception hasbeen mixed. With the economy as hot asit is right now, a lot of electricians don’tfeel they need any specialty education.

“But when times tighten up, the moreeducation you have, the better yourchance to still be working,’’ Manganosays.

For more information about the ISACCST program or to establish a local testoffering, contact ISA’s contracted testingvendor at (919) 572-6880 or e-mailinfo@castests.com. 1

IBEW JOURNAL, NOVEMBER 2000 11

s A Valuable New Skills A Valuable New Skill