Education and training centres now have a means of having their core business approved and certified according to internationally recognised standards. The new standard is designed to allow objective comparisons of the numerous quality systems and models that characterise the education and further education market. ISO 29990 demands a mastery of core processes to enable an evaluation of course offers and the professional competency of the learning service provider.
Over the past 11 years BZEE has pioneered the development of a customised qualification programme for wind turbine service technicians and delivers this service through a network of national and international cooperation partners. The programme has contributed highly to closing the skills gap in the expanding wind energy sector and has opened up new career paths in renewable energy for unemployed skilled workers. DNV has now certified BZEE's learning services and its management system.
DNV Business Assurance, responsible for the certification process, is one of the leading global certification bodies and belongs to the independent DetNorskeVeritas foundation founded in 1864 in Norway. Today DNV boasts 300 locations worldwide and a network of 8600 professionals.
"We've benefitted immensely from the ISO process and the support offered by DNV and we're proud to be the industry's first education services provider to meet the new", comments BZEE General Manager Nils Peters.
BZEE's track record shows over 1400 successfully qualified service technicians in Germany alone and a growing output of wind energy technicians at the partner locations in France, the UK, Ireland, Canada and the US.
Throughout this expansion BZEE has remained true to its roots as an industry-driven skills initiative with its 80 company members interacting with BZEE staff to continually update curricula to meet the demands of emerging technology and enhanced operational routines.
Now, the ISO 29990 vertification provides manufacturers, investors and insurers with a guarantee that BZEE qualifications meet the wind industry's needs.
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