Background (Preamble):
IPC needs to pass the reasonable allowance for an online recertification option for any IPC discrimination testing (non-skills) which includes IPCA610, IPCA600 and IPCA620. . Here are a few things you should know:
1. The main issues the IPC certification group has with respect to online recertification are:
a. Maintaining the integrity of the test materials. That is somebody will "copy" the materials and sell them on the internet or share them with others who will lessen the standards of the certification. (Can be overcome through professional proctoring near your place of business or through other online proctoring techniques)
b. Maintaining the integrity of testing. The fear is that test takers will "cheat" thereby having non-qualified individuals be certified. (Can be overcome through professional proctoring near your place of business or through other online proctoring techniques)
c. The lack of ability to make sure that the test takers "know" the material. The director of training programs maintains that without an instructor being present post test no "learning" can go on to make sure the missed questions are "learned" (Excuse me Just because a candidate âknowsâ the answer to a test question does it demonstrate that the candidate âknowsâ all of the material)
2. There are many organization using online recertifications. The Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and/or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) uses online recertification. The ETA (Electronics Technicians Association) certifies thousands of technicians using the internet (non skills demonstration certifications-just like the IPCA610 and IPCA620). Over 28,000 fiber optics installers and hundreds or thousands in each basic or specialty segment of electronics have been certified. You can even get a master degree on line.
3. Our industry has adopted these standards. The electronics industry continues to push to reduce its cost structure whether that means using low cost labor or lean manufacturing practices. Online recertification testing for non skills-based testing is natural progression towards reducing the membersâ training costs..
Petition:
ALLOW USERS TO HAVE A MODERN LOW COST, FLEXIBLE ONLINE IPC DESCRIMINATION SKILLS RECERTIFICATION OPTION.
We the undersigned, as members of the electronics assembly, test and build community oppose the current âIPC Training and Certification Guidelines and Proceduresâ and their current implementation of online discrimination retesting and recertification (IPCA610,IPCA6100 and IPCA620)
We do not believe that remote learning or testing for skills-based testing or even re-testing is acceptable to the industry (JSTD-001, IPC7711/21).
We are members of the body which use and write the above specifications and approve same.
We are members that want to maintain the integrity of the certification program including initial certification with a certified instructor including initial certification proctoring through the use of a professional proctor or IPC instructor for the given program level
We want you to clearly understand that the IPC training and certification has a responsibility to meet the needs of the industry especially for the need to drive down training costs and to not maintain a âprotective coverâ over the re-testing and re-certification process. There is no reason to have to go to a âbrick and mortarâ training center just for the expressed purpose of taking a test with the associated airfare and time.
We need to remind you that we as members are the IPC and you need to cater to our membership needs because at the end of the day through our dues, attending of meetings and seminars as well as through the purchase of IPC training and other materials-we pay your salaries so that you can support our industry needs!.
We resolve that we the undersigned want a method by IPC discrimination skills testing (ie IPCA610/600/620) can be accomplished online without the necessity for having an IPC instructor present. A professional proctor or online proctoring scheme will do just fine.