Joel Oliva (from left), made the announcement at NATE UNITE 2017. Panelists at the session also included Duane MacEntee and Don Doty.
Workers successfully complete assessments; recognized with professional NWSA Certification
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) announced the names of individuals who are among the first workers to obtain NWSA Telecommunications Tower Technician (TTT) certification at an educational session that was held Tuesday in conjunction with the NATE UNITE 2017 Conference in Fort Worth, Tex.
The following industry workers have obtained their TTT certification:
| Name | Company | Certifications Held |
| Justin McKenzie | Legacy Towers | TTT-1, TTT-2 |
| Scott Jackson | Green Mountain | TTT-1, TTT-2 |
| David Robinson | Legacy Towers | TTT-1, TTT-2 |
| Jusin Kinney | EasTex Tower, LLC | TTT-1, TTT-2 |
| Don Parker | EasTex Tower, LLC | TTT-1, TTT-2 |
| Adam Johnson | Ericsson | TTT-1 |
| Christopher Rodgers | Ericsson | TTT-1 |
The computer-based testing included the following areas of required proficiencies
These trailblazing individuals achieved their NWSA certification after successfully completing both a computer-based (CBT) written examination and a practical examination to demonstrate their knowledge and skills at their worker certification level.
The candidates were issued an official NWSA wallet certification card that is portable for the worker and can be authenticated through the NWSA’s online credential verification database search tool.
To date, the NWSA has administered 393 written exams and 59 practical exams, and currently has 20 practical examiners.
However, the practical examiner count should be increasing in the near future, said panelist Joel Oliva, Director of Operations and Program Development for the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), since 24 safety professionals are ready to attend a workshop and move forward to becoming an examiner.
“I would like to congratulate the workers who have officially obtained their NWSA certification credentials,” stated Executive Director Duane MacEntee. “These professionals have the distinction of becoming the first NWSA certified personnel in the United States and will be great ambassadors for the NWSA through the quality, safety and pride they carry out their job duties with on a daily basis,” added MacEntee.
A point that was emphasized by MacEntee and other panelists was the NWSA is a certification organization and does not provide training that can be obtained in-house, by a third party or an educational institution.
Olivia said that candidates for TTT certification must identify that they have had first aid and CPR training as well as OSHA 10-Hour training.
In order for candidates to take the TTT-2 examination they must be certified as a TTT-1.
The fee for each TTT computer-based test is $174 and the certificate is valid for five years. There are 75 questions on the TTT-1 exam and 90 for the TTT-2.
Ryan Schock, Vice President of Operations for Design Telecommunications of Charlottesville, Va., proudly displays his TTT-1 and TTT-2 certification card, the first one issued by NWSA. Schock is also an NWSA Practical Examiner and a NATE WIN liaison.
The NWSA also acknowledged the contributions of accredited Practical Examiners Chad Alban from PEAK Career Services, Gordan Lyman of eSystem Training Solutions and Rick Teckenbrock from Heartland Solutions for taking the candidates through the field-based portion of the examination in Fort Worth. Additionally, the NWSA thanked Rob Siegel and his colleagues from ENSA North America for donating the use of ENSA’s portable tower for practical examination testing purposes.
Candidates and industry stakeholders are encouraged to visit www.nws-a.org for detailed information on the NWSA certification process, applying for CBT tests and practical examinations, credential verification and for more information on new certification programs.
Other assessment and certification programs the NWSA is considering for future development include Antenna & Line Foreman, Certified Climber, Tower (Stacking) Foreman, Structural Modifications Foreman, DAS Systems, Small Cell Systems, Broadcast Structures and Outside Plant/Fiber to the Home and Business.
The announcement of the individuals being certified is just the tip of the iceberg from a worker certification standpoint, said NWSA President Don Doty from FDH Velocitel, Inc.
“NWSA certification is a game-changer for the industry and we look forward to NWSA worker certification becoming commonplace in the marketplace in 2017 and beyond,” added Doty.
For more than a year, members of the task force dedicated their time and industry expertise to develop the NWSA’s field-based practical examinations.
Olivia said that requirements by companies to have technicians on their projects be NWSA certified will be market driven as the industry embraces certification and more individuals with certification are available in the workforce.
One carrier informed Wireless Estimator that they will be considering providing a preference to companies with certified technicians.
The NWSA, headquartered in Fairfax, Va., is a national non-profit assessment and certification organization 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 communication structures.
Industry workers, companies and stakeholders are encouraged to visit the NWSA website at www.nws-a.org to learn more about the organization and how they may be involved.
