Certification and Certification and Accreditation: An OverviewAccreditation: An Overview

Why Certify Bus Operators?Why Certify Bus Operators?

• Professional designation is regarded as having significant value

• Similar designations exist in other industries (e.g. Mechanics’ Red Seal program)

• Operators overwhelmingly in favour of certification (2003 survey)

• Recognition of operators’ professionalism and commitment

Why Certify Bus Operators?Why Certify Bus Operators?

• Helps improve perception of bus operators as competent professionals with proven skills

• Logical extension of the National Occupational Standards and Best Practices developed for the industry by MCPCC

• Sets professional tone for the “next generation” of bus operators

Why Accredited Training Why Accredited Training Programs?Programs?

• Positions bus industry as professional, competent, and employing best practices

• Validates industry efforts to improve itself and raise standards and best practices through work of MCPCC

• Awareness, within the industry, of the need for on-going professional learning

• Links companies to MCPCC via excellence

Objectives - AccreditationObjectives - Accreditation

• Canada-wide standardization of training scope and content for professional bus operators which will significantly promote both Operator and Industry professionalism and image

• Formal recognition of licensed bus operators through demonstrated knowledge, experience and abilities evaluated using the National Occupational Standards

Goals of the ProgramGoals of the Program

• Training providers commit to NOS as benchmark• Ensure access to training by developing

Accredited sites• Elevate pride and professional recognition within

industry and gaining respect with outside audiences

Scope – Accreditation & Scope – Accreditation & CertificationCertification

• Both accreditation and certification are voluntary• Accreditation to be awarded to programs that

cover NOS and “benchmark curriculum”• Certification based on the NOS and combines

experience, knowledge, and skill attainment

Governance and ManagementGovernance and Management

Board• MCPCC Board of Directors establishes Accreditation

and Certification (AC) Board•Board provides technical expertise and broad industry acumen•19 members, two-year term, formally meets twice per year•Reviews, assesses and responds to written complaints•Participates in all revocation decisions

Governance and ManagementGovernance and Management

Secretariat• Interface between public and Board with

management and control functions• Provides logistical, secretarial, and admin support• Maintains Code of Ethics• Comprehensive review of NOS every 3 years• Manages Formal Complaint Process

AccreditationAccreditation

Categories• Accredited Program: Complete training program

covering NOS Blocks A-E plus one specialty area, and has been found by the AC Board to meet all benchmarked criteria of the NOS

• Accredited Course(s): Field or workplace training course(s) offered by an institution, association or similar non-bus operating entity that provides all of the criteria contained in any one or more of Blocks A-E from the NOS which can be used by a bus operating company as part of its Training Program

Accreditation - StepsAccreditation - Steps

• Training provider accesses Application Package • Applicant self-assesses Training Program against

the NOS & Benchmark Curriculum criteria• Applicant forwards Application Form and Training

Declaration attaching all required documentation to the Secretariat

• Applicant assessed by AC Board and notified via Secretariat

Bus Operator Certification - Bus Operator Certification - CriteriaCriteria

• Validated knowledge, skills and abilities using National Occupational Standards (NOS)

• 3 years bus operator experience within consecutive five-year period

• Familiarization and conformity with MCPCC Code of Ethics

Bus Operator Certification – Bus Operator Certification – Grandparent WindowGrandparent Window

• Operators: 3 years bus operator experience within consecutive five-year period

• Trainers, managers, union representatives: 3 years career bus operator experience

• Completion of the applicable areas of the Certification Journal

• Familiarity and conformity with the Code of Ethics

Bus Operator Certification - Bus Operator Certification - StepsSteps

• Operator accesses Application package• Applicant completes Application Form, required documentation and Certification Journal and forwards to Secretariat

• Application assessed by the AC Board

Bus Operator Certification - Bus Operator Certification - RevocationRevocation

• MCPCC may revoke Certification because of:–Loss of driving license–Criminal conviction–Substantiated flagrant or repetitive driving infractions suggesting an unfavourable pattern of driving performance–Non-compliance with MCPCC Code of Ethics–Non-payment of any required Fees–Revocation may be appealed

Program InformationProgram Information

MCPCC website: www.buscouncil.ca

MCPCC office: 306 - 9555 Yonge St.Richmond Hill, OntarioL4C 9M5905-884-77821 - 866 – 271 - 1107