PestCert, the national accreditation program for the professional management industry, has now completed its establishment phase. PestCert is an initiative of the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association.

PestCert: the next stage

By Malcolm Trotter, Chair, PestCert Ltd.

In the early stages, it became clear that, to achieve its long term goal of co-regulation of the industry with government, PestCert would need to be an independent organisation. As a result, it was established, from day one, as a stand alone, not for profit company, limited by guarantee and owned by its members.

The initial start-up of this type of program requires a mammoth effort and PestCert was extremely fortunate to have the services of Ron DeGroot, through DeGroot Technical Services Pty Ltd (DTS). Ron’s efforts since the inception of PestCert have been invaluable and the work put in by Ron and his company has gone way beyond what was expected and was well in excess of the fees received by him.

As the current Chairman of the Board of PestCert, I know I speak for the entire Board when I say that I am not aware of anyone else, other than Ron DeGroot, who could have created the world class industry accreditation scheme that PestCert has become. On behalf of the PestCert Board and members, I would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Ron for his wonderful effort in providing our industry with the PestCert Accreditation program.

The growth of accredited members has not been as high as was originally envisaged resulting in lower than expected revenue. Late last year the Board of PestCert met and recognised that steps would need to be taken to ensure the ongoing financial viability of the program. As the biggest hurdle of the initial establishment phase had been achieved, it became clear that the ongoing administration and development of the program would require less resources that creating it from nothing had done.

Early in 2008, by mutual agreement, the arrangement between DTS and PestCert ceased and it was decided to place the administration of PestCert with the same entity that provides these services to AEPMA providing PestCert with the benefits resulting from ‘economies of scale’ as there are a number of areas of great similarity and duplication which could be avoided.

In addition, AEPMA’s National Executive Director, Stephen Ware was appointed to the positions of Company Secretary and Executive Director of PestCert to manage the program on a day to day basis. Stephen has previous experience with setting up three industry accreditation schemes. PestCert Limited remains an independent company, owned by its members. The structure of its Board remains unchanged with two directors appointed by AEPMA and the rest elected by members. AEPMA provided funds to PestCert prior to and following its establishment as a standalone company and recently.

AEPMA has made further funds available to PestCert as a loan. The Board of AEPMA has done this because it recognises the importance of a quality accreditation program to this industry and the boards of both organisations understand the need to work together for the benefit of the pest management industry.

The PestCert Board is developing a new ‘Business and Marketing Plan’ and, as part of its commitment to the ongoing growth of PestCert, will be working on four key objectives for the 2008/2009 period. These are:

(1) to ensure:

• the financial sustainability of PestCert while growing the program nationally
• that PestCert accreditation adds value to Accredited Member Businesses
• that members have access to sufficient, relevant CPD compliant training and/or events regardless of geographical location

(2) to review the program generally including the:

• 'Rules and Guidelines of Accreditation’
• audit processes
• criteria for CPD points appraisal
• simplification of the overall program so that requirements are clearly understood by the entire industry

It is clear that we need to take this great accreditation program out to the industry and this will occur through a series of events in all mainland states that will not only be confined to capital cities, PestCert needs to get out to regional centres, and it will do so in 2008/2009.