Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program - Needs Assessment

This project is intended to begin the process of creating a certification training course for architects, designers and specifiers of lighting control systems. Initiate a collaborative committee of subject matter experts and well-known stakeholders to develop a needs analysis that lighting control designing requires. Committee identifies the skills set and training requirement to bring sustainability and market acceptance in the implementation of advance lighting controls and systems.

This report documents Job Analysis (JA) findings and recommendations with reference to identifying the candidates and skills needed for the National Advanced Lighting and Controls Application Certification (NALCAC). More specifically, identify what knowledge and which skills participants should possess upon completion of the course in order to be a successful Lighting Planner. The Job Analysis Committee, comprised of a diverse group of professionals from within the lighting industry, conducted a detailed analysis, reaching out to the lighting community through an online survey to gather valuable data identifying target candidates and key skills required to successfully perform the role of Lighting Planner. Highlights of the JA Committee findings and recommendations are as follows: -Top target candidates identified by the survey (those most likely to seek and/or require this certification) include: 1. Design/Consultation professionals 2. Sales and Manufacturing representatives Although, not identified in the JA Survey as primary target candidates for NALCAC, the JA Committee believes that Construction professionals, especially Maintenance Service companies and Energy Service companies (ESCOs) are also prime candidates to pursue certification. These groups of professionals are historically key players in lighting upgrades and retrofits where utility incentives and rebates drive project implementation. The JA Committee identified fourteen skill sets as requirements to obtain NALCAC. The JA Committee believes that all of the 14 skill sets identified and posted in the JA Survey are important. Those with NALCAC must demonstrate, at minimum, adequate proficiency in all 14 skill sets. The committee realized that the anticipated training schedule, the time allotted for training, and training modules may not cover all skill sets. The committee identified those skills in which respondents appear to have the least expertise: 1. Energy modeling and calculations 2. Codes and standards 3. Daylighting concepts 4. Human factors 5. Lighting controls and techniques to achieve energy efficiency and demand response capabilities