InfoComm International, the leading trade association representing
the professional audiovisual industry today announced that the
International Organization for Standardization´s (ISO) United States
representative, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), has
accredited InfoComm´s Certified Technology Specialist and Certified
Technology Specialist - Installation credentials under ISO/IEC 17024.
ISO/IEC 17024 establishes a global benchmark for the certification
of personnel. ANSI accredits standards developers, certification
bodies and technical advisory groups to both the ISO and the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
This accreditation meets the requirements by the U.S. DoD
(Department of Defense) Directive 8570.1, which requires its
information assurance workers to obtain a commercial certification
that has been accredited by ANSI or equivalent authorized body under
the global ISO/IEC 17024 standard. This DoD-wide policy was approved
for implementation in December 2005.
"InfoComm is the only organization within the audiovisual industry
to earn ANSI accreditation for its personnel certification program and
we are pleased that InfoComm is continuing to set the industry
standard for competency and quality in the AV industry," said Randal
A. Lemke, Ph.D., Executive Director, InfoComm International. "This
accomplishment is a tribute to the visionary thinking of InfoComm´s
Board of Governors, who several years ago recognized the value of
seeking outside validation of InfoComm´s certification program, and to
the tenacity of the members of InfoComm´s independent Certification
Committee, who helped institute important programmatic changes that
were necessary to navigate ANSI´s rigorous accreditation process."
"Today is a victory for the more than 9,500 audiovisual
professionals who have earned the CTS credential, and for the
companies with the foresight to invest in InfoComm´s certification
program," said Mark Valenti, CTS, InfoComm International President,
and President of The Sextant Group. "Architects, AV design
consultants, the government and others who specify AV work can have
full confidence in the validity of the CTS credential."
Spencer Bullins, CTS, of AMX Corporation said, "InfoComm is
meeting the changing demands of industry and government through the
accreditation of the CTS credential. The investment in resources and
volunteer time has been very significant, but having ANSI validate the
value of our program is the ultimate compliment and recognition."
Bullins serves as Chair of InfoComm´s independent Certification
Committee and is a past president of InfoComm International.
"InfoComm is commended for completing this rigorous process and
receiving ANSI accreditation," said Dr. Roy Swift, program director
for certification accreditation for ANSI. "ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 was
developed in response to businesses and governments seeking a valid
benchmark for agencies who certify people."
Employers in the public and private sectors can be confident that
AV professionals holding the CTS and the CTS-I credentials possess the
necessary skills to implement audiovisual best practices, processes
and procedures anywhere in the world.
Certified Technology Specialists (CTS) serve clients by creating,
operating and servicing AV solutions, while meeting client´s needs, on
time and within budget. A Certified Technology Specialist -
Installation (CTS-I) installs and maintains audiovisual systems by
following specifications, schematics, codes, and safety protocols;
administering installation process logistics; troubleshooting and
problem solving systems; maintaining tools and equipment; and
communicating with clients, designers, other trades, other installers
and staff, all while providing exemplary customer service. Ongoing
professional education is required to maintain the credentials. A
certification is valid for three years and certified individuals must
earn 30 renewal units (RUs) within each three-year period, remain in
good standing, and abide by the CTS Code of Ethics and Conduct.
InfoComm also offers an advanced certification in Design. That
program is currently being revised and InfoComm and the InfoComm
Independent Certification Committee are in the process of applying to
the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for accreditation of
this certification.
About InfoComm International(R)
InfoComm International is the international trade association of
the professional audiovisual and information communications
industries. Established in 1939, InfoComm has 4,500 members, including
manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors,
independent consultants, programmers, rental and staging companies,
end-users and multimedia professionals from more than 70 countries.
InfoComm International is the leading resource for AV market research
and news. Its training and education programs, along with its
separately administered Certified Technology Specialist (CTS(R)) and
corporately administered Certified Audiovisual Solutions Provider
(CAVSP) company credentials, set a standard of excellence for AV
professionals. InfoComm International is the founder of InfoComm, the
largest annual conference and exhibition for AV buyers and sellers
worldwide. InfoComm also produces trade shows in Europe, Asia, and
China. Additional information is available at www.infocomm.org.
