T

he Electrical Generating Systems Association’s (EGSA) Electrical Generator Systems Technician certification program is in full swing and currently boasts 267 certified technicians in North America. Established in 2006 to address a need for more trained and professional power generation service technicians, EGSA’s certification program will also soon release the test materials in Spanish.

The Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA) established its Electrical Generator Systems Technician certification program in 2006 with the purpose of helping engine distributors and dealers meet a critical need for more trained and professional service technicians. Today there are 267 certified technicians and although most reside in the U.S., there are also certified technicians in Canada, Trinidad and Guam.

Through rigorous testing, the program identifies technicians that not only have broad knowledge of electricity, mechanical, electrical components, and genset controls and the interaction between them, but who are also proficient in the installation, service, maintenance and repair of complete on-site power generation systems.

George Rowley, EGSA’s director of education, notes that while the pace of certifying new technicians has slowed recently, the program has been a success thus far. “We will soon receive Spanish-language versions of the Certification Study Guide and test and once we verify the accuracy of the translations, these items will be available for purchase through Ferris State University.”

Ferris State, located in Big Rapids, Mich., administers the tests on EGSA’s behalf at various locations throughout North America.

While the technician certification program is not a requirement in the power generation industry at this time, EGSA hopes that it will ultimately develop and mature as an opportunity to implement licensing programs within states. It could also help to encourage power generation customers to specify who can service their equipment based on this standard.

“We believe the program will reinforce to people that these are high standards for generator set technicians and that they are applicable no matter where that technician resides,” Rowley said.

Additional information about the certification program, as well as EGSA’s other educational and professional growth opportunities, can be obtained at: www.egsa.org