News Detail

Certification-Improving Concrete Where It Counts!

1/1/2001

One of the goals of ACI is to improve concrete construction worldwide. All of our activities are aimed toward achieving that goal. However, we know that some activities have a much more obvious impact on the quality of concrete construction than others. Our certification program falls in that category.

Certification has a direct effect on quality. Monitoring concrete at all stages of the construction process is a critical factor in determining the quality and service life of the final product. ACI certification provides a mechanism to assess the competency of individuals in applying accepted standards for producing, placing, and finishing concrete properly. Through certification programs, the participants acquire a better understanding of the importance of their work in producing concrete that will best serve the owner and the user.

Our Certification Programs Committee is chaired by Tom Malerk, and certification program activities at ACI headquarters are managed by John Nehasil. Certification activities are strong and growing through the dedicated efforts of the members of certification committees and ACI staff. Through October 2000, 15,900 applicants had been processed for certification—a 42% increase from 1999!

ACI currently offers nine different certification programs:

• Concrete Field Testing Technician - Grade I;
• Concrete Strength Testing Technician;
• Concrete Laboratory Testing Technician - Grade I;
• Concrete Laboratory Testing Technician - Grade II;
• Concrete Construction Inspector & Inspector-In-Training (outside of the U.S. ONLY);
• Concrete Transportation Construction Inspector & Inspector-In-Training;
• Concrete Flatwork Finisher & Technician;
• Field Aggregate Testing Technician; and
• Laboratory Aggregate Testing Technician.

Two new programs will be launched early in 2001 at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas:

• Tilt-Up Supervisor; and
• Shotcrete Nozzleman.

Today, the ACI Certification System has grown to include 103 Sponsoring Groups, 14 of which are outside the U.S. (nine in Canada, three in Mexico, one in Chile, and one in Lebanon). ACI chapters comprise 42 of these groups; the others are National Sponsoring Groups (such as the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association) or state or regional organizations involved in construction. Certification exams are designed and verified using proven psychometric methods. In fact, the ACI Certification System is so well designed that many state Departments of Transportation now utilize ACI certification to meet Federal Highway Administration requirements for qualified personnel.

Since ACI launched its first certification program in 1983, we have administered exams to over 160,000 individuals and we currently maintain 56,000 active certifications representing 25 countries. Every person’s certification is registered with ACI and can be accessed through the ACI web site.

Preparatory training is offered by many ACI chapters, with chapter members volunteering their time and facilities. Certification training generates revenue that supports other chapter activities such as conventions, seminars, and awards programs. ACI certification is often cited by chapter leaders as the single most important chapter program.

During the past year, I have had the privilege of visiting a number of our international chapters. A few are already administering certification programs, and others have indicated a strong need for certification to upgrade the quality of concrete construction. We will soon have some of our certification programs available in Spanish and Arabic—produced in part through the volunteer efforts of chapter personnel. The ACI Board has provided for international certification programs to be administered on a financial breakeven basis, enabling these groups to offer affordable programs in their regions. Certification from ACI ensures a level of proficiency that is a source of pride for both the holder and the group administering the program, providing an important avenue for ACI to serve the international concrete community.

The growth and quality of ACI certification activities should be a source of pride for all of our members. These activities are a critical element of our mission to improve concrete construction worldwide.

James O. Jirsa
President
American Concrete Institute

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