PMI Certification

Got a degree in project management? Want to earn a certification diploma from a reliable institution? If so, why don’t you try the PMI certification?

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is basically an institution established in 1969 to provide the public the best opportunity for the promotion, maintenance, and advancement of the project management practices in the whole world. It is for this mission that the PMI has been actively participating in the pursuit of education and knowledge acquisition, professional development and networking, career advancement and professional standards, and products and services in the project management arena.

As a leading institution for the project management profession, the PMI has developed its own certification programs to provide people the chance to obtain a lifetime certificate that will serve as one of their best weapons in battling all the challenges in the outside world. The PMI certification is now considered as the topmost professional credential for the project management professionals. It is worth knowing that the institution has became the world’s first organization to achieve the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 recognition because of the establishment of its own certification program.

The PMI certification is divided in two different types based on the job profiles and levels of experience attained by the project management professionals. Both of these certifications are now made available for the PM pros to consider. What these types are? Consider the following:

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) – This certification program is designed specifically for the project team members, as well as the entry level project managers. The qualified undergraduate and graduate students who are wishing to earn a credential for their project team performance are also deemed candidate for this type of PMI certification. The advantage of this type basically lies on the fact that it works to teach professionals everything about the project management processes and terminology. With this, it is claimed that professionals from all disciplines can benefit to this.

Project Management Professional (PMP) – This is by far the most globally recognized and respected credential offered by the PMI. It works to identify those who have already demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which they can practice project management with the highest level of competency possible. However, to obtain this PMI certification, you need first to adhere to the code of professional conduct, attain a degree in project management, and pass the certification exam which is designed to assess your ability to practice project management in the proper way.

Both of the PMI certification types are deemed useful for obtaining the best position in the project management industry, the reason that professionals tend to consider it. However, it is important to note that just like the rest of the certification programs available nowadays, the PMI applicants should meet certain requirements first for them to qualify and obtain the certification diploma they wanted to have, be it the PMP or the CAPM certification. If you want to know more about these requirements, just feel free to visit PMI.org.

Project Management Certification

According to the web definition of the North Carolina State University, project management certification is “the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to a broad range of activities in order to meet the requirements of the particular project. A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to achieve a particular aim. Project management knowledge and practices are best described in terms of their component processes. These processes can be placed into five Process Groups – Initiating, Planning, Executing, Controlling, and Closing.”

In order to meet the demands of the profession, certain standards were made and project management certification programs were set up for project management professionals and those desiring a career in this field to enroll in.

There are many project management certification programs available. However, the most intensive and comprehensive project management certification so far is the PMP (Project Management Professional). This certification program is offered by the PMI (Project Management Institute), one of the leading institutions that produce competent individuals in the project management field.

What is PMP Project Management Certification?

The PMP certification and training program demonstrates advanced knowledge of and experience with Project Management concepts. Having a project management certification is considered a good asset, despite the generally accepted fact that these certification programs are expensive. A certification in project management could mean a good return on investment.

According to a 2002 certification salary survey, individuals with a project management certification card averaged $90,000 per year. This is, of course, more than enough return for your initial investment of less than a hundred bucks per week’s worth of lessons.

Below are some good resources for practice questions, practice exams, and online lectures that you can use:

200 Free Questions (PMStudy.com)

This site contains 200 free practice questions that you can work as you start your project management certification program. The catch is that once you start, you only have one-day access to these questions. If you want more questions, the fee is $15 per 200 questions.

GoExam.com

The site allows you to download three project management certification prep exams. These exams cover nine knowledge areas and five process groups of project management. Each exam is worth $39.95. In addition to that, you get also get a 12-question question demo which you can download for free.

Boson (Boson.com)

The site offers three project management certification practice exams. The price is exactly the same as the ones offered by GoExam.com. Visit the site for more information, including free demos and other free downloads.

Castle Learning (CastleWorldWide.com)

Get 100 questions for only $35.

4PM Online Training (4PM.com)

This online project management certification training provides you with an online classroom environment. For only $800, you also get on demand lectures, a comprehensive final exam, and personal feedback from your instructors.

Risk Management Certification

As often described, risk management is the process of measuring and assessing the degree of risk and developing strategies and ways to manage and solve it. It covers a lot of strategies for managing risks, and the most common include shifting the risk to another party and let that party do the task; avoiding the risk; lessening the negative impacts of the risk; and accepting all or some of the consequences of a certain risk.

Although a lot of strategies for managing risks are available for the risk management specialists to consider, one certain fact remains – risk management is not an easy process. It is not even an easy task and profession, and it is for this reason that a proper training and certification is needed.

Risk management certification is available not just nationwide, but worldwide. Yes, a number of countries throughout the world have already been considering risk management certification knowing how beneficial it is for the practitioners. It is often considered that attaining a risk management certification will help you achieve better chances for developing your career. It is also a good weapon for battling all the challenges in today’s tough and highly competitive working field. As you may know, most employers these days prefer to hire those who are highly trained and certified in risk management knowing that these people are experts or professionals enough to handle and manage any possible risks.

So today, finding the risk management certification can be easy with hundreds of institutions out there offering certification programs for risk management. But to help you make your search for risk management certification a bit easier, I have provided below a few of the great choices for risk management certification. These are basically certification programs managed by certain institutions and companies. And, to further give you ideas about these programs and the companies that have been managing them, I have also given below the websites of these certification institutions. So if you want to know more about these risk management certification programs, feel free to visit their websites.

IRM Diploma in Risk Management (AIRM)

The Institute of Risk Management (IRM) has long been delivering high quality risk management education to its qualified students. It is now opening its registration for those who wish to enter the risk management field and be certified through a proper education and training. It is worth noting that membership in IRM is recognized worldwide as the sign of a risk management professional. However, obtaining the certification is not an easy process. You need first to take and pass their risk management certification examination. You will know more about their examination at TheIRM.com.

Professionals Risk Manager Certification (PRM)

A nonprofit organization, the PRMIA has been operating to provide the public with one of the certification programs for risk management, the PRM. This risk management certification is actually considered as a global standard for the world’s top financial risk professionals. And, as a professional program, it is a bit hard to complete. You need first to take preparatory course, diagnostic exams, and university and faculty led classroom training courses, including a certification examination in order for you to be certified. But knowing how great the result is, passing through these challenges is worth taking. For more information about the PRM, visit PRMIA.org.

Scuba Diving Certification

You don’t know if it was that last trip you took to the Cayman Islands, but you suddenly want to learn how to dive and get certified. Good news! There are many groups that offer scuba diving certification programs, among the most popular are PADI and NAUI.

Contrary to what some people may think, getting certified in scuba diving is not that difficult. In fact, there are only two pre-requisites that you must comply with before you can get scuba diving certification. The first is proficiency in swimming, and the second is a copy of your medical clearance from your doctor to show that you can take up the sport.

Know How to Swim

If you don’t, get ready to sign up for a few lessons. Just the basics are required. You do not have to master every stroke there is. And you do not have to be an Olympic swimmer in order to get scuba diving certification.

The most you have to do is be able to swim about 200 yards using any stroke you want. That, coupled with your ability to float or tread on water for about 10 minutes, and you are on your way to getting that much coveted scuba diving certification.

Get the Green Light from Your Doctor

This much is a given and pretty simple, too. So long as you are in good general health and are comfortable in the water, then you should not have any problems with getting that scuba diving certification.

Where to Get Certification

There are about 1,900 professional scuba dive centers in North America alone. Start with the ones nearest your locality and move from there if you don’t find what you’re looking for. You can also find any in your area by checking out the yellow pages and websites of some of the major scuba diving certification agencies, like PADI and NAUI. Sometimes, universities may even offer scuba diving lessons.

Most of the centers regularly run basic scuba diving certification programs. When you decide on a course, make sure that it is something that you are truly interested in and that the instructor is also a certified scuba diving instructor. It is even preferable if the instructor got his or her scuba diving certification from one of the major scuba diving training agencies.

Earn How to Dive from Resorts

There are many vacation resorts that offer scuba diving courses. These may last anywhere from a day to two days, offering beginners like you some very basic training. Although these courses do not often include scuba diving certification at the end, they are however helpful when all you want to do is to try out scuba diving first. Later on, you can just take any of the full certification programs offered.

Sports Certification

Anybody can be a sports trainer, a health and fitness instructor, or a specialist in sports conditioning. In fact too many individuals, both competent and hopeless, already litter the sports arena as sports trainers and sports conditioners, those with mediocre skills often jumping from one prospect to another, choking the already competitive market.

Personal trainers and sport conditioners are the fastest growing profession in the United States health and fitness arena. Because of that, many have begun searching for career opportunities here; even some pitifully devoid of skills. To such event that the sports certification became the demarcation line that separates the useless and the efficient ones. If you are among those seeking profession in health and fitness, acquiring a sports certification is your best bet to boost your credentials way above those of mediocre skills.

You can get a sports certification through a number of ways. Online Sports Certification Centers are one. Depending on your knowledge of the subject matter, you can complete any of the required programs and the accompanying examinations within days if not hours. Most of them are recognized all around the United States though you still have to make sure by checking the certificates offered yourself or by questions. Here are some sites that should provide you a good head start.

International Sports Sciences Association 1015 Mark Ave. Carpentaria CA 93013 USA Call local at: 1-800-892-4772 Call international at: 805-745-8111 Facsimile: 805-745-8119

International Sports Sciences Association is among the renowned team of fitness experts that banded together to form a community that do research on fitness science. To that effect, scores of health and fitness professionals such as physicians, chiropractors, coaches, physical therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, and health & fitness professionals have taken specialized programs offered by the ISSA for added certification or continuing education.

ISSA has several sports certification programs available. The Personal Trainer Certification and the Specialist in Sports Conditioning are among their highlight programs.

American College of Sports Medicine P.O. Box 1440 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1440 Call: (317) 637-9200

Regional Chapter Resource Center Call: (317) 637-9200 ext. 138 Facsimile: (317) 634-7817

The American College of Sports Medicine also offers several outstanding sports certification that could really boost one’s credentials, provided that he passes the minimum set of requirements. There are two available certifications, the clinical certification for those in the medical profession seeking to enhance their opportunities by having a specialized skill in physiology and exercise therapy; and the health and fitness certification for the fitness professionals. ACSM sport certification packages include exams, workshops, study materials and several days hands-on on a workshop.

Support Center Certification

Several companies are now running support centers. In these centers, excellent customer services and operations are expected by the people. Unfortunately, many of these companies have failed to answer the public’s needs with the poor customer services and support operations they have provided. It is for this reason actually that the concept of support center certification was coined.

Support center certification is not a new concept. It has been around for more than 10 years now and several institutions and agencies have already provided this kind of service to the public with several good reasons. In the first place, the support center certification offers a number of advantages to the support teams. To mention in particular, it is known that the support center certification will help people achieve the best customer satisfaction possible. It will help strengthen their team and will assure people that the company they are calling are not just support centers but certified support centers.

There are a lot of versions of support center certifications. One of the most popular is the certification offered by the Help Desk Institute (HDI). The support center certification is given for one purpose – to provide a professional review and assessment of both the internal and external support operations of a particular company. This assessment is however made in accordance with the customer criteria and with the standards set by the institute itself.

Just like the other support center certifications, the HDI certifications are made available for a number of benefits they can give. It is maintained by several claims that the support center certification will help increase the credibility of a certain company. Once the credibility is increased, it’s no wonder that the degree of customer satisfaction will also increase due to the enhanced quality of the service call and the improved productivity. This development is what will resolve several issues that surround the company, and as a result, the clients will be more satisfied with the services given to them.

The support center certification offers a lot more advantages to the support companies other than those mentioned above. It is further shown by certain surveys that the certification in the support center industry will even help the company to improve its employee and team morale. This is perhaps for the reason that with the increased credential, they will be working smarter and more productively. As a result, they will feel and experience a heightened level of job satisfaction, which is unfortunately not obtained by many employees these days. It is also follows that when the employees work harder and smarter to increase their productivity, an increased profitability will be possible. Add on sales and greater customer retention will emerge in the long run.

With all those advantages, it’s no surprise that today more than a hundred of the companies running a support center are now taking up certain support center certifications from well-known institutions. And of the available institutions worldwide, the HDI is by far the most popular.

TABC Certification

TABC certification, or the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission certification, is something that every employer should get in order to protect his business from fines. Note that the employer himself does not need to hold the certification in order to take advantage of the benefits under the TABC.

Requirements for Availing of Protection under TABC Certification

According to Section 106.14 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, in the case of sale or service of an alcoholic beverage to a minor, intoxicated person or a person who is not a member of a private club on the club premises… “the actions of an employee shall not be attributable to the employer” only if the following conditions concur:

The employer requires its employees to attend a commission approved seller training program The employee has actually attended a training program The employer has not directly or indirectly encouraged the employee to violate the law

In simpler terms, this means that if your employees who sell, serve, and prepare alcoholic beverages have a TABC certification on seller training by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, then the penalties relating to violations of the above law will be taken against the employees and not on the business. This means that you will not be liable if your employee decides to serve alcoholic drinks to a minor, intoxicated person, or a person who is not a member of a private club on the club premises.

Note, however, the following additional requirements before your business can be held not liable for any violations:

These employees, including their immediate managers are currently seller/server certified with a TABC certification

The person selling or serving has a current valid certification

The management has posted policies and procedures prohibiting sales to minors and intoxicated persons and the employees read and understand them

The person selling is not the owner or an officer of the licensee or permittee

Management has not in any way encouraged these type of sales

There are not more than two of these type of violations within a twelve month period.

A further condition is also imposed: if the violations result in injury or death, then TABC will probably cancel your license. This is so even if you meet the above requirements.

Why TABC Certification is Important

Over the past several years, many businesses or licensees to sell alcoholic beverages have been the subject of collection for damages in alcohol liability lawsuits. Whether the suits have been settled in or out of court, the collection for damages is always present and they include everything from auto accidents, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, rapes, and fights.

A TABC certification for your employees is your best defense against such alcohol liability suits.