Although founded in the United States to certify individuals qualified to practice in the fields of erosion and sediment control, CPESC Inc. has an international mission.
“There is a lot to be learned about erosion and sediment control without getting concerned with political boundaries,” says Jennifer Hildebrand, CPESC, CPSWQ, immediate past administrative vice chair of CPESC Inc. In fact, the organization wants at least 10% of its total registrant base to be from outside the United States. That would include Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) registrants as well as those who have earned the Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ) or the Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector (CESSWI) certification.
Among those countries that can benefit from certification of erosion and sediment control professionals is Canada. “Many of the BMPs [best management practices] being implemented in Canadian provinces are as innovative and as effective as those used in the US,” Hildebrand notes. “So, the border between the US and Canada or other countries should not inhibit the exchange of information and professional learning.”
Many Benefits
In addition to improving the overall quality of erosion and sediment control practices, whether at the local, regional, or national level, the CPESC credential offers a number of advantages to the registrant, including enhanced professional credibility, keeping current on the latest technological advances, improved career opportunities, and greater influence on policy decisions affecting technical and professional issues.
Hildebrand, based in Minnesota, has worked on numerous projects throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. For the past five years, she has also taught the CPESC and CPSWQ exam review course in Alberta and Manitoba.
“Interest in CPESC certification in these areas continues to increase,” she says. “The types of professionals attending these courses are evenly split between the public sector, such as provincial and municipal engineers and regulatory personnel, and the private sector, including design consultants, contractors, and suppliers. There are notable increases in the level of interest in attending these courses and sitting for the exams. There is a definite trend upward.”
A Short Supply
Graham Tait, erosion control coordinator for the City of Calgary, AB, earned his CPESC certification four years ago. “The benefits of the CPESC credential have been really valuable in terms of my career development,” he says. “It has the potential to fit the needs of other Canadian erosion control professionals well. We don’t have enough people in Alberta or even Calgary who are CPESC-qualified.”
Tait reports that most CPESC registrants in Alberta work on land development projects in urban areas.
“Right now, Calgary has no formal certification requirement for those who design erosion and sediment control plans,” he says. “Most have their P.Eng. [license to practice engineering in Canada]. However, many engineering consultants don’t have the necessary training in erosion and sediment control. Many consultants and project managers typically over-rely on expensive sediment controls with no source control practices (erosion control, runoff control), a common cause of site failure. In the next few years, we’ll be looking for people to be CPESC certified. In addition, we want to have certified erosion and sediment control inspectors onsite. Officials in Edmonton are looking at a similar program.”
Tait also expects that the CPESC credential will be required for those working on transportation projects in the next five to 10 years.
A Wise Choice
A CPESC Inc. certification is a smart move, says Mark Myrowich, CPESC, chief executive officer of ErosionControlBlanket.com of Winnipeg, which manufactures erosion and sediment control products. He earned his CPESC certification eight years ago.
“CPESC Inc. is the industry’s premiere certification organization,” he says. “Why would you not want to get certified? It will only help you and your career in the long run by demonstrating that you understand the basic principles behind the work that you’re doing. Canadian engineering schools don’t teach courses in controlling erosion and sediment. The CPESC certification shows that you know the fundamentals of erosion and sediment control. That, in turn, helps assure clients that they’re getting good value for what they’re paying you to do.”
Increased Demand
CPESC registrant Elyse MacDonald of North Vancouver, BC, agrees. An aquatic biologist, she works for Pottinger Gaherty Environmental Consultants Ltd., monitoring stormwater runoff for the company’s clients’ residential and hydroelectric construction projects, most of which are in the Vancouver area. She became certified three years ago, in part, to add value to her company’s services.
“The municipalities in this area don’t require a CPESC certificate for preparing erosion and sediment control plans, but some allow a CPESC or a professional engineer to prepare them,” MacDonald says. “This credential helps our company and our clients by showing that I am experienced and have studied in the erosion and sediment control field.
“As more government agencies increase enforcement in the regulation of water-quality issues at construction sites and erosion and sediment control requirements become more stringent, the demand for people with the CPESC certificate will rise.”
Greg Northcutt writes frequently on construction and business issues.
