Katie Hill, Director of Training for CWS, recently attended the Innovation in Certification 25 Conference in New Orleans, an event for water professionals and industry leaders to learn more about the trends in certification. The conference, organized by Water Professionals International (WPI), served as a key gathering point for industry leaders, innovative thinkers, and professionals dedicated to the evolving field of certification. Throughout the event, various discussions illuminated the pivotal role that certification plays in driving progress within our industry.
Key takeaways from the event included:
The Rise of Digital Transformation: One of the most prominent themes of the conference was the profound impact of digital technologies on the realm of certification. Engaging discussions highlighted how artificial intelligence and machine learning can automate routine tasks, significantly boost efficiency, and ultimately enhance the candidate experience, thereby reshaping traditional certification processes.
Focus on Skills and Competency: A marked shift emerged at the conference, moving away from conventional knowledge-based certification systems towards assessments that prioritize practical skills and competencies. This transition reflects a greater demand for a workforce capable of adapting to the rapidly evolving technological and economic landscapes of today’s world.
Ethical Considerations: The event also delved into the ethical implications accompanying the adoption of AI in certification, particularly concerning data privacy and the risk of bias in automated assessment tools. Ensuring fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in all certification processes was underscored as a non-negotiable priority for the industry moving forward.
The Importance of Collaboration: A strong emphasis was placed on the necessity for collaboration among industry stakeholders, academic institutions, and certification bodies. This partnership is essential for the development and implementation of innovative and impactful certification programs that benefit all parties involved.
Impact and Future Implications
The “Innovation in Certification 25” Conference provided a rich platform for exchanging knowledge and fostering professional networks. The insights gained and dialogues initiated during the event are sure to influence the future landscape of certification, promoting greater innovation, enhancing the intrinsic value of certifications for both individuals and organizations, and ensuring that certification remains an effective tool for workforce development.
For states utilizing WPI Standardized Exams, exciting developments are on the horizon with the introduction of new exams that are now available for implementation. The timeline for these exams’ adoption varies by state, as each jurisdiction will determine their own schedule for rollout. A significant change accompanying these new exams is the transition from traditional cutoff scoring to a more nuanced scaled scoring system. Previously, candidates were required to correctly answer 70 out of 100 questions to pass, but with scaled scoring, the evaluation process is redefined.
Scaled scoring transforms raw scores—the number of correct responses—into a standardized scale, facilitating fair comparisons among different versions of the same test, which may have slight variations in difficulty. It also enhances data security by obscuring the exact number of correct answers. The transformation process employs statistical methods to create a scaled score that accounts for these differences, ensuring that scores remain comparable across varying test editions. To simplify, it’s akin to measuring height in different units; scaled scores function like converting all heights into a common unit, like meters, making comparisons straightforward regardless of the initial measurement used.
Another significant change that stands out is the upcoming rollout of the new “Need to Know” criteria for these exams. Unlike the previous set of exams released in 2017, where the content guidelines were somewhat vague and merely provided a broad list of topics for study, the new criteria promise to be far more detailed. This clarity will greatly aid instructors like myself in preparing and communicating the essential content that will be examined, providing a focused roadmap for candidates as they prepare for their certification journeys.
