The Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) is pleased to announce the relaunch of field personnel certification programs. The relaunch will come with new guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, they will still deliver its world-class educational information and material to students.
In March 2020, the Institute suspended its in-person programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, PTI member volunteers and staff have worked to update the certification programs to a format that will better meet the needs of its students and instructors regarding preventing the spread of the coronavirus. The result is the introduction of a web-based learning component to most of the certification programs, reducing the length of in-person classroom instruction. Previously, individuals seeking to become certified in one of PTI’s seven programs would attend an in-person classroom workshop for one to three days and pass an exam to become certified.
When to expect the relaunch
The re-launch of PTI’s certification programs will begin in July with a Level 1 & 2 Unbonded PT Installer & Inspector workshop being held in Chicago, Ill., a Level 1 Unbonded PT Installation workshop in Orlando, Fla., and a Level 1 & 2 Unbonded PT Repair, Rehabilitation, & Strengthening workshop, also in Orlando.
“Over the last few months, it has been made clear to us that PTI field personnel certification programs are as in-demand as ever, even in the age of COVID-19,” said Executive Director of the Post-Tensioning Institute, Tony Johnson. “In many regions, construction projects are moving forward without much interruption. We had to react quickly to be sure we were continuing to send certified, qualified field personnel out into the workforce while still prioritizing the health and safety of our students and instructors. We believe our new workshop format accomplishes both of those goals.”
Students seeking PTI certification will receive printed study materials along with access to web-based learning components approximately three weeks before the in-person workshop. The web-based platform will require students to view educational content and pass a series of quizzes. These pre-workshop assignments must be completed satisfactorily at least three days prior to the in-person workshop to participate. Students will then attend the one-day in-person instruction and complete a certification exam.
For at least the remainder of 2020, five of PTI’s field personnel certification programs will follow the new format:
- Unbonded PT Installation – Level 1
- Unbonded PT Installer Level 1 & 2
- Multistrand & Grouted PT Specialist – Level 1 & 2
- Unbonded PT Inspector – Level 1 & 2
- Unbonded PT Repair, Rehabilitation, & Strengthening – Level 1 & 2
Additionally, both students and instructors must understand and adhere to a series of new guidelines for the in-person portion of the certification process. Included in the new guidelines are protocols relating to masks and social distancing. Furthermore, students will have a requirement to complete and sign a health declaration. They must also pass a temperature check before participating in the in-person portion of the workshop.
For more information about the relaunch of field personnel certification programs, visit www.Post-Tensioning.org/GetCertified.
About The Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI)
The Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) has worldwide recognition as the authority on post-tensioning. PTI dedicates itself to expanding post-tensioning applications through marketing, education, research, teamwork, and code development. They do this all while advancing the quality, safety, efficiency, profitability, and use of post-tensioning systems. For additional information, visit www.post-tensioning.org.
