Development of privatized operator training and certification programs for Malaysia

Wastewater operator training and certification programs are needed to protect public health and the environment. These training and certification programs are also needed to protect the capital investment in the facilities and to ensure that the facilities are in compliance with government regulations. The Government of Malaysia has passed an Act requiring the certification of municipal wastewater (sewage) treatment plant operators. ENSEARCH (a Malaysian professional organization) has prepared a program to develop municipal and industrial wastewater operator training and certification programs. The procedures developed begin with separate advisory committees for both the operator training and certification programs. The committees work together throughout the entire development and implementation process. The first step is to develop “Need-to-Know” criteria which identify the knowledge and skills needed to safely operate and maintain a wastewater treatment facility. These criteria are used to develop both the training and certification programs and also the training materials and the certification examinations. After development of the training materials and certification examinations, both are reviewed, tested and the results are evaluated. The nex t step is to determine the effectiveness of the training and certification program by evaluating operator and plant performance. Recommendations for implementation include four levels of operator training and certification: (1) Basic, (2) Middle, (3) Advanced and (4) Administration/Management/Supervision.