Yesterday, at PCSF, ISA's new Certification Institute folks met with the core group that has been working on the Control Systems Security Certification Compliance Organization (pronounced "Costco")-- my god, folks, can't we think up better names for stuff!!!???--and it is pretty clear that there WILL be such an organization, and it will be under the ISA umbrella. You can't believe how good this makes me feel, because I have been pressing ISA to do such activities for 10 years (Ian Verhappen and I were chased out of an Executive Board meeting with sticks for suggesting that ISA get into the business of Y2K compliance testing for automation systems) AND (breaking arm to pat self on back) it was my idea to get ISA involved in this Security activity.
But now for the second whammy. Chip Lee and I were talking this morning, and he told me about this:
ISA Launches CAP Associate Program for Future Automation Professionals
Research Triangle Park, NC (12 March 2007) - ISA has launched a CAP
Associate recognition program for students interested in working in the
automation field. The CAP Associate program provides recognition of the
student's interest and knowledge of automation.
ISA will offer a CAP Associate exam, and students who pass the exam will
receive one year of "work experience" credit toward ISA's Certified
Automation Professional (CAP) certification program requirements. CAP
applicants who have a four year technical degree must document five
years of experience in automation.
ISA's CAP certification program offers qualified automation
professionals a chance to prove their knowledge and skills through a
comprehensive examination focused around the key areas of automation.
"By giving students the opportunity to get ahead of the game by taking
an exam like this, we're encouraging them to pursue a career in
automation and receive a respected recognition for their education up to
that point," said Vernon Trevathan, Vice President of ISA's Professional
Development Department. "In today's job market, certification is a
powerful tool, and they'll be one step closer to earning the CAP
designation."
The CAP Associate exam has 75 multiple choice test questions, featuring
the same technical categories as the CAP certification exam. Technical
categories include: basic continuous control; basic, discrete,
sequencing, and manufacturing control; advanced control; reliability,
safety, and electrical; integration and software; deployment and
maintenance; and work structure.
In order to apply for the program, students must be enrolled in a four
year academic degree program in automation or a related engineering or
technology area. Related areas include instrumentation, measurement and
control, chemical, electrical, electronics, or mechanical engineering or
technology. Computer programming courses related to practical
engineering applications also qualify. The student must also be eligible
to graduate from the four year degree program within three months of
taking the CAP Associate exam.
"Although the CAP Associate program is not a certification program, it
provides an additional credential for the graduating student, expands
their resume, and demonstrates their career commitment to future
employers," said Greg Lehmann of Washington Group International. "This
program will be a great stepping stone for anyone interested in our
profession."
In order to apply, students must have a sponsoring professor at their
university who agrees to hold a CAP Associate exam onsite for eligible
students. ISA requires official transcripts as proof of eligibility for
the program.
Applicants have a six month window of eligibility to take the exam that
spans three months before or after the applicant's graduation date from
the four year degree program.
For more information about the CAP Associate program, or the CAP
certification program, visit www.isa.org/cap or call (919) 549-8411.
