Union promotes STAR search.Leaders at the United Association (UA), a multi-craft union representing service and piping technicians in the fields of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration refrigeration, process for drawing heat from substances to lower their temperature, often for purposes of preservation. Refrigeration in its modern, portable form also depends on insulating materials that are thin yet effective. (HVACR HVACR Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration ), believed their industry needed a testing standard--one to delineate which workers have outstanding skill levels and are highly qualified--and so the UA STAR certification program was born. "UA service technicians receive state-of-the-art training, and this program identifies those with the highest degree of proficiency," said Donald House, the UA's director of HVACR Service. "Plus, the program has been recognized by major standard-accrediting organizations and requires a solid base of education or work experience. UA STAR certification offers end-users the best of the best." The United Association--officially known as the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipefitting and Sprinklerfitting Industry of the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Canada--developed its STAR certification program in conjunction with Ferris State University Ferris State University consists of eight colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Services, Optometry, Pharmacy, Technology, and Kendall College of Art and Design. Ferris grants doctorate degrees via its Optometry and Pharmacy colleges. , Big Rapids, Michigan Big Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 10,849. It is the county seat of Mecosta County6. The city is located within Big Rapids Township, but is politically independent. , which has a prominent history of vocational education. "The UA STAR certification exam was created based on the results of a study we did with Ferris State University," said Steven H. Allen, Director of Instructional Technology for the UA. "Ferris State interviewed service technicians nationwide and in Canada, and used the information to create a 65-page task analysis, from which the 200-question test was developed. The questions on the exam were then pilot-tested. A national cross-section of beginning, intermediate, and experienced technicians took the exam, and the results of this test effort were found statistically valid by Ferris State." To take the exam, a technician must have either five years of work experience or have graduated from a five-year union apprenticeship. Completion of the exam earns applicants 32 hours of college credit toward an Associates Degree in HVACR technology or construction supervision from Washtenaw Community College Washtenaw Community College is a community college located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founded in 1965,[1] the school has comprehensive training partnerships with local and national businesses and organizations, and transfer agreements with the University of in Ann Arbor, Michigan  “Ann Arbor” redirects here. For other uses, see Ann Arbor (disambiguation). Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. . Over 57,000 college credits valued at over $4.2 million have been issued. |
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