Pictured, left to right, during an NWSA meeting today are Brandon Chapman, Monica Gambino, Heather Gastelum, Ron Lewis and Duane MacEntee.
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) convened its 28-member Board of Governors today in Pittsburgh, Pa. to discuss key action items and activities related to the organization’s worker certification program development process. The NWSA Board of Governors consists of representatives from a broad cross-section of the industry and are tasked with developing policy and overseeing the activities of the various Committees that will serve under their jurisdiction.
The NWSA is a national non-profit assessment and certification organization that has been established to provide thorough, independent assessments of knowledge and skills and provide verifiable worker certification in order to enhance safety, reduce workplace risk, improve quality, encourage training, and recognize the skilled professionals who work on towers and other non-standard structures.
During the meeting, the Governors were provided an update on the Telecommunications Tower Technician I (TTTI) and Telecommunications Tower Technician II (TTTII) computer-based and field-based exam development progress. The NWSA’s TTTI and TTTII certification programs are slated to be unveiled to the wireless industry marketplace in the 4th quarter of 2016.
The NWSA Board of Governors also devoted considerable time during the meeting establishing the organizational committee structure. The following committees were established with appointed participants during today’s proceedings:
NWSA Board of Governors Chairman Art Pregler from AT&T said the accredited certification programs are on track for the fourth quarter of this year.
NWSA Appeals Committee Members
Kevin Schmidt, Sioux Falls Tower & Communications – Chair
Phil Larsen, Hazon Solutions, LLC
AJ Manion, Manion Stigger Construction Law Firm
Mike Powers, Atlas Tower
NWSA Exam Management Committee Members
Danny Bishop, The Crosby Group – Chair
Brandon Chapman, Valmont Site Pro 1
Kevin Denis, Gravitec
Chris Mallon, Tower MRL, Inc.
Sonya Roshek, MasTec
Ethics and Discipline Committee Members
Duane MacEntee, Barker MacEntee PLLC – Chair
Eric Munsell, Black & Veatch
Dr. Gemma Frock, Aiken Technical College
Patrick Shea, All Risks Ltd.
NWSA Communications Committee Members
Ron Lewis, U.S. Cellular – Chair
Eric Bicknese, Vertical Limit
Heather Gastelum, T-Mobile
Yana Patton, USDA Forest Service
Sonya Roshek, Mastec
Todd Schlekeway, National Association of Tower Erectors
“Today’s Board of Governors meeting was very successful and I am happy to report that the organization is on track to meet our ambitious assessment and certification program development timeline,” said NWSA Board of Governors Chairman Art Pregler from AT&T.
“Thanks to the hard work and participation by many stakeholders in the industry, the NWSA will be able to start delivering transformative ANSI accredited certification programs to the wireless workforce in the 4th quarter of 2016,” added Pregler.
The NWSA organization is the result of collaborative efforts between a broad coalition of the industry’s leading subject matter experts, companies and stakeholders representing wireless carriers, tower owners/vertical realtors, OEM’s, turnkey management firms, small contractors, tower technicians, public safety entities and industry associations.
In June of 2015, the NWSA organization formally entered into a professional development partnership agreement with the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). A key component of the partnership agreement involves NCCCO’s professional consulting assistance in helping NWSA’s various worker certification programs achieve ANSI ISO 17024 accreditation, the premier accreditation for personnel certification for governing bodies. NCCCO is also providing test development and administrative services to the NWSA as part of the partnership agreement.
In November of 2015, the NWSA and NCCCO began offering co-branded CCO Rigger and Signalperson Certification programs. These programs have the distinction of becoming the first two assessment and certification offerings available to the wireless industry’s workforce through the NWSA.
Industry workers, companies and stakeholders are encouraged to visit the NWSA website at www.nws-a.org to learn more about the organization.