Development of a test blueprint for the National Association of Industrial Technology certification exam

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to develop a test blueprint that would serve to identify core content, subject areas, and competencies needed to update the NAIT Certification Exam. The original certification program was established by the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT) in 1991, and eight areas were identified: (1) Quality Control; (2) Production Planning and Control; (3) Industrial Supervision; (4) Industrial Finance and Accounting; (5) Industrial Safety; (6) Plant Layout and Material Handling; (7) Time And Motion Study; and (8) Industrial Communications. A prototype testing was conducted in an attempt to improve the reliability of the test, and in 1995 the Certification Committee recommended: (1) editing questions for clarification; (2) deleting 80 inappropriate questions; (3) adding approximately 40 new questions; and (4) collapse the exam into four content areas to increase test validity. The problem addressed in this study is the need to determine if the earlier test development reflects current NAIT Certification Exam requirements. The current exam was developed ten years ago, and there has been a clear need to address rapid changes in technology and its uses. A modified Delphi technique was used to identify core content, subject areas, and competencies. Two Delphi Rounds were conducted in which 14 panelists identified 13 core competency areas: (1) Leadership Skills For Supervisors; (2) Teamwork; (3) Fundamentals of Management; (4) Safety Management; (5) Technical Graphics/CADD; (6) Quality; (7) Electronics; (8) Human Resource Management; (9) Technical Writing; (10) Written Communication; (11) Verbal Communication; (12) Computer Integrated Manufacturing and, (13) Manufacturing Automation.