BROKEN ARROW, Okla.,
July 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/
-- The International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML)
is pleased to announce the expansion of its industrial
certification exam program into a secure, proctored, online
platform. The computer-based exam format offers an alternative
to the paper format that ICML has provided to machinery lubrication
and oil analysis practitioners since 2001.
Effective immediately, all levels of ICML's certification
exams — MLA, MLT, LLA, and MLE — are available online in
English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with
additional languages to be phased in through July. The
revised application process allows candidates to select between
online or paper formats. All prerequisites, scoring
procedures, and exam fees will remain unchanged. Paper exam
sessions will remain available.
"As many industries face logistical and economic challenges
related to the worldwide COVID-19 response, ICML remains committed
to helping lubrication practitioners and independent training
partners succeed in their professional endeavors," wrote ICML
Executive Director Leslie Fish on
March 26, when the nonprofit
organization first announced its intentions to pursue online exam
delivery.
"Our new computer-based offering streamlines and facilitates the
entire exam process, from enrollment to remote test-taking,"
promises Rosania Kloss, ICML
Operations Manager. "It will prove extremely valuable and
time-saving for those candidates who generally have struggled
to coordinate their busy schedules around specific test dates and
times. Imagine having this option of convenience without
needing to travel considerable distances to attend the nearest
available paper-and-pencil exam session."
Development of online exams was already on ICML's 2020
agenda before COVID-19 restrictions began negatively
impacting its global network of independent training providers, who
historically have provided formal training for thousands of
certification candidates each year. These companies
reported that temporary public health policies were making it
impossible for them to host physical classes and exam
sessions. In response, ICML's management team prioritized
completion of this initiative.
Despite the accelerated timeline from research to launch —
roughly four months — ICML has safeguarded the integrity of
its high-stakes exams while improving convenience for
test-takers. ICML's criteria included live audio/video proctoring,
secure data transmission, integration with existing scoring and
recognition programs, and non-exclusive test sites. Specifically,
the online solution allows test-takers to sit exams privately
at home or office, wherever there is an internet connection,
without the need for third-party testing centers.
"Even while COVID-19 restrictions persist in some countries,
this new online solution gets our certification exams back into the
field," says Paul Hiller, ICML
Marketing Manager. "Now training companies can resume attracting
clients with the promise of ICML exam availability once again."
In a further nod to security, applicants for online exams
must also:
- provide verifiable confirmation of training hours, and
- pay in advance.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT FOR PRACTITIONERS
This latest offering continues ICML's recent string of practical
yet tech-savvy implementations to support certified
practitioners and their employers. In February, ICML introduced
digital credentials, followed by enhancements to its
real-time certified professionals directory. Additionally,
ICML recently posted a dynamic table of training partners to
help exam candidates find suitable training
opportunities.
"It is important that we meet practitioners where they are, and
also that we continue to enhance their 'user experience' at
relevant touchpoints in their certified careers," says Hiller.
"While digital credentials and website exposure make it easier to
share and confirm certification successes, these computer-based
exams now offer candidates a new level of flexibility and
control."
Exam applications may be initiated
at https://www.lubecouncil.org/apply/.
Related Files
Brochure_021820_English_single-pages_ICML-web.pdf
Brochure_091019_English_Print_ICML-web.pdf
Related Images
icml-online-exams-a-solution-whose.jpg
ICML online exams: A solution whose time has come.
Related Links
ICML Introduces Digital Credentials
ICML Members Adapt to COVID-19 Restrictions
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SOURCE ICML