NEWS RELEASE
October
30, 2006
Contact: Cynthia Putnam, 206-292-3977
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IFMA Awards Approved Provider Status to the Building Operator
Certification Program
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA)
recently granted status to the national Building Operator
Certification (BOC) program as an IFMA Approved Provider
for the Facilities Management Professional (FMP) and the
Certified Facility Manager (CFM) designations. This affords
IFMA members the opportunity to both earn and subsequently
maintain their professional status using the training services
of the nationally recognized BOC program. Trainings accepted
by the Approved Provider Program have the “IFMA quality
seal of approval” so that participants can be assured
that the trainings will contribute to their professional
credentials and expertise.
BOC is a competency-based, professional training and certification
that provides energy-saving operational strategies for
facilities engineering and maintenance staff. Participants
benefit from both improved job skills and more comfortable,
energy-efficient facilities. The certification also provides
a credential for professional development while offering
employers a way to identify skilled operators. Graduates
of the BOC training typically achieve utility bill savings
in the first year from $12,000 to $20,000, depending on
local utility rates, and document a decrease in the number
of tenant complaints.
Former IFMA South Sound chapter president Judy Johnson
believes the training is invaluable. While currently Emergency
Management Coordinator & Facilities Operations Administrator
for the Washington State Department of Social and Health
Services, Johnson was previously a Facilities Operation
Manager for the state. At that time, she had all her people
go through BOC training. “Building technology is
far beyond turning wrenches and edging into crawlspaces.
You have to have a level of practical ability, but you
also have to have fundamental knowledge,” says Johnson.
She continues to support the program and requires all her
staff to maintain certification.
The Building Operator Certification (BOC) program continues
to expand its presence nationally and to gain recognition
as a leading provider of valuable training for facilities
managers and staff. Sponsored by the Northwest Energy Efficiency
Council (NEEC), BOC is already recognized as an “exemplary
program” by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient
Economy (ACEEE) as a part of a national awards program
to honor America’s best energy efficiency programs.
BOC Level I certification is earned by completing 56 hours
of classroom training and written exams, in addition to
hands-on projects conducted at the operator’s facility.
Topics include HVAC systems and controls, energy conservation
techniques, electrical systems, and indoor air quality.
Level II certification requires 49 hours of classroom training
in even greater detail.
Over 5,000 operators hold BOC certifications nationally.
ABOUT NEEC
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC)
is a non-profit business association of the energy efficiency
industry. NEEC’s mission is to promote policies and
programs that enhance market opportunities for energy efficiency,
of which BOC is one such program. Further information
on the BOC program can be found on the national website, www.theboc.info.
National partners with NEEC in the BOC program include:
the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership, the Midwest
Energy Efficiency Alliance, the Wisconsin Focus on Energy,
the North Carolina Community College System at AB Tech,
the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Building Operator
Certification – California, the Northwest Energy
Education Institute at Lane Community College, and the
New York State Energy Research & Development Authority.
For information on the IFMA Approved Provider Program:
Visit: www.ifma.org/learning/recognized/app_providers.cfm.
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