by Brianna Crandall — April 20, 2012—BOMI International and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) have announced a new partnership that will enable both organizations to further benefit building engineers and maintenance technicians by awarding competency credit between NEEC’s Building Operator Certification (BOC) and BOMI International’s Systems Maintenance Technician (SMT) designation.
Both nationally recognized, the NEEC BOC and the BOMI International SMT designation deliver the skill-enhancing education that facilities professionals require. Comprised of Level I: Building Systems Maintenance and Level II: Equipment Troubleshooting and Maintenance, the BOC offers 13 classes that provide energy-efficient management strategies proven to transform workplaces by saving an estimated $.03/sq.ft. on electric utility costs per year. Similarly, the five courses that constitute the SMT designation program provide instruction in technologies and trends within the industry to ensure professionals understand how to properly operate buildings at peak efficiency in a cost-effective manner.
BOMI International has given BOC graduates the eligibility to receive competency credit for two of the five SMT designation courses. In return, NEEC has awarded competency for four of the 13 classes needed to earn a BOC certification. “By presenting BOC and SMT designation graduates with the option to apply for competency credit between the two programs, we are encouraging them to further enhance their education and obtain the required knowledge to perform their job well, add value to their company, and accelerate their career,” said Jeffrey A. Horn, President and CEO of BOMI International.
In addition to providing competency credit for SMT designation and BOC courses, the NEEC and BOMI International partnership will offer continuing education opportunities to graduates for maintenance of their credentials. “We are confident this partnership between BOMI International and NEEC will contribute to better building performance and to job preservation by providing technicians with a means of distinguishing themselves to employers through improved job skills and a commitment to the profession,” said Stan Price, Executive Director of NEEC.
The not-for-profit BOMI International provides educational products and services to the property and facilities management industries, including its industry-standard designations: the Real Property Administrator (RPA), the Facilities Management Administrator (FMA), the Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA), and the Systems Maintenance Technician (SMT). More than 26,000 building professionals hold one or more BOMI International designations, and over 84,000 students have turned to BOMI International for premier education and training.
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) is a nonprofit trade association of the energy efficiency industry advocating for an affordable, energy-efficient future for commercial, industrial, and residential building owners and operators. NEEC has administered the national Building Operator Certification (BOC) program since 1996. NEEC is a member of and/or education provider for: Energy Star, APPA, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), and has numerous national partners for its BOC program.
