InfoComm Statement on NH HB1595 03/29/06

STATEMENT ON HB 1595
PROPOSED PROGRAM FOR LOW VOLTAGE CERTIFICATION

Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D.
Executive Director, InfoComm International
March 2006

My name is Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D. and I am the Executive Director of InfoComm International. Thank you for letting me present the views of our association, which is composed of 4,000 members, many of whom live and work in New Hampshire, some of who will join me in testifying today in vehemently opposing HB 1595.

InfoComm International is the trade association of the professional audiovisual and information communications industries. Established in 1939, the association’s 3,600 members include manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, independent consultants, programmers, rental and staging companies, end-users and multimedia professionals from more than 60 countries. InfoComm’s training and education programs, along with its Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) and Certified Audiovisual Solutions Provider (CAVSP) credentials, set a standard of excellence for AV professionals.

InfoComm strongly supports objective testing of skills and knowledge as the basis for any state licensure program for the low voltage industry, because that is in the best interest of the consumer and ultimately the industry. Similarly, InfoComm’s certification program has always stressed that it is based upon measuring candidates’ knowledge and ability. Additionally, candidates can take the exam without paying for InfoComm courses and they do not have to be members of the association. We will continue to promote a fair and open environment to prepare today’s technology workers for tomorrow’s technology.

The content of InfoComm’s certification program has been established by members of the industry, for the industry and its customers. It is based on the real world knowledge and skills needed to design, install and service AV systems that meet the needs of its users. Additionally, the certification examinations are independently evaluated by Ph.D. psychometricians to verify that the exams measure accurately for the intended outcomes.  InfoComm has also been certified by the National Certification Commission and has the only program in the industry that holds this outside sanction. It is also sanctioned by the US Veteran’s Administration. The Department of Labor included InfoComm as the important information resource for those looking to explore entering into a career as an electronic systems technician in its Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Ideally, for 21st century jobs, the knowledge and skill of a worker should be continually renewed to keep pace with rapidly changing technology. InfoComm has the support of the industry for its certification program. With almost 5,000 holders of the Certified Technology Specialist designation, it is the industry standard, compared to the less than 200 certified EST holders.

The National Systems Contractors Association is one of the groups bringing this issue to the state of New Hampshire and looking for the state to help it achieve the success it was unable to achieve with its own members or others in the low voltage industries. For two years NSCA has attempted to get industry support for the EST program, has been widely ignored, and is now is looking for you to create a back-door government endorsement of its program that could lead to a mandated program first in New Hampshire, then in other states throughout the country.

InfoComm is an ardent advocate of small and medium-sized business and it knows that government programs, no matter how well intentioned, often create inefficiencies and can create an unlevel playing field. While licensing of professional practice is often conducted by states, certification is usually conducted by industry groups. In this case, the called for state supported voluntary certification program will create an advantage for those who obtain it and will disadvantage those who do not. You can easily imagine marketing copy that reads "our technicians certified by the State of New Hampshire." Many small and medium-sized business cannot afford to invest the additional money and substantial time needed to earn the EST certification, especially when they have already demonstrated that the EST does not meet their needs. Many have already many invested resources in securing more widely established and accepted certifications from other quality organizations, like ours, BICSI and others. Others have developed and honed their skills and knowledge base during their decades of practical experience and should not be pressured in the "Live Free, or Die" state to earn a specific industry certification they have already chosen to ignore.

InfoComm asks that the New Hampshire Senate to reject this legislation.  We believe that upon further examination of the existing certification programs you will see that this proposal has little to do with safety or quality education, but instead an attempt to force the industry to accept the EST program it has rejected in the free-market. InfoComm is ready to work with the State of New Hampshire on programs to protect the interest of its citizens and the New Hampshire companies that serve them. The proposed certification does not meet that standard.

Thank you for your kind consideration.