Certification and Accreditation An Overview Why Certify Bus

Certification and Accreditation: An Overview

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? • 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 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 - 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 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 & 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Program Information MCPCC website: www. buscouncil. ca MCPCC office: 306 - 9555 Yonge St. Richmond Hill, Ontario L 4 C 9 M 5 905 -884 -7782 1 - 866 – 271 - 1107