ANSI Federation Makes Concrete Contributions toward National Goals for a Strong Future

02/02/12 -  The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) empowers its members and constituents to strengthen the U.S. marketplace position in the global economy while helping to assure the safety and health of consumers and the protection of the environment. ANSI is also actively engaged in accrediting programs that assess conformance to standards – including globally-recognized cross-sector programs such as the ISO 9000 (quality) and ISO 14000 (environmental) management systems.

Jennifer McNelly, Senior Vice President of the Institute, was appointed to ANSI's Personnel Certification Accreditation Committee.  This committee is responsible for the policy, procedures, and accreditation decisions relating to the accreditation of personnel certification bodies.  In creating the NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System, the Institute established ANSI Accreditation as the “gold standard” for third-party validation

From the Press Release:

As the nation takes strides toward building economic growth and jobs for the 21st century economy, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) affirms its commitment to fostering a dynamic U.S. economy through responsive standardization solutions.

A Skilled American Workforce
Quality credentialing programs accredited by a neutral third party such as ANSI play an important role in fostering a more robust and qualified American workforce. Recognized and market-valued credentials are a win-win situation: employees are empowered to retool their skillset, and employers can identify qualified workers with the appropriate expertise.

Together with partners across a range of sectors and disciplines, ANSI is engaged in a number of activities that enhance the credentialing of personnel and support secondary and post-secondary career pathways. Recently, ANSI announced an initiative with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) to bolster the American workforce for the growing number of clean energy jobs of the future. With advisory support from DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, ANSI and IREC are launching an independent, joint accreditation program for energy efficiency and renewable energy-related certificate programs offered in formal educational institutions and other legal entities.

And under the Skills for America’s Future campaign, ANSI member and accredited standards developer the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and its affiliate The Manufacturing Institute are leading an effort to credential 500,000 community college students with skills certifications aligned to manufacturers’ hiring needs. The NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System will give students the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials that will travel across state lines, be valued by a range of employers, and improve earning power.

“With job creation, economic growth, and alternative energies topping the nation’s priorities, ANSI is proud to be the facilitator of critical standards and conformance–based solutions that have the power to help us achieve our goals,” said S. Joe Bhatia, ANSI president and CEO. “ANSI looks forward to continuing to partner with the administration and the standardization community in support of these important initiatives.”

View the entire press release here.