Certification and Accreditation: An Overview

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Certification and Accreditation An Overview
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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

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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

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Why Accredited Training 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

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Objectives - 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

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Goals 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

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Scope Accreditation Certification

• 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

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Governance 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

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Governance 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

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Accreditation

• 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

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Accreditation - 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

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Bus Operator Certification - Criteria

• 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

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Bus Operator Certification Grandparent 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

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Bus Operator Certification - Steps

• Operator accesses Application package
• Applicant completes Application Form, required
  documentation and Certification Journal and
  forwards to Secretariat
• Application assessed by the AC Board

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Bus Operator Certification - Revocation

• 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

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Program Information

• MCPCC website www.buscouncil.ca
• MCPCC office 306 - 9555 Yonge St.
• Richmond Hill, Ontario
• L4C 9M5
• 905-884-7782
• 1 - 866 271 - 1107