National Association of Industrial Technology

The National Association of Industrial Technology, also know as NAIT, is the accreditation board for collegiate programs in the discipline of Industrial Technology. The organization’s stated objective is "the promotion of Industrial Technology in business, industry, education and government" [National Association of Industrial Technology website. Retrieved on August 15, 2006] . As of 2006 NAIT accredits 124 baccalaureate programs.

Certification

The organization offers certification for Industrial Technology professionals who have graduated from an accredited program in the field. In addition to obtaining an Industrial Technology degree, the applicant must pass a test of skills in four specific areas important to the discipline. These are: Production planning & Control, Occupational Safety, Quality, and Management & Supervision. There are two levels of certification offered: initially individuals obtain the credential Certified Industrial Technologist or CIT. Later, after years of experience and by completing additional continuing education units the holder can advance to the Certified Senior Industrial Technologists, CSIT, credential.

Recognition

The NAIT accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and holds the same acknowledgement that is given to the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). CHEA recognizes NAIT and ABET as independent fields which are equal in academic stature but have different objectives in focus and career intentions. It is fitting to conclude that an Industrial Technologist is equal in intellectual distinction to that of an engineer because of the classification of the CHEA acknowledgement.

References

External links

* [http://www.nait.org/ NAIT.org]