Procedure Writer and Instructor Certification

 

PPA, in conjunction with a number of member companies, has developed an industry-backed Writer Certification Program and makes this program available to individuals and organizations looking to improve their technical writing skills.

The following instructors are certified through PPA to provide this training to individuals within their organization:

  • Andrew Black, Southern Nuclear Company
  • Amy Keep, Palo Verde, Arizona Public Service
  • Christopher Laszlo, Palo Verde, Arizona Public Service
  • Doug Sistrunk, Idaho National Laboratory
  • Jerome Pratt, Surrey Power Station, Dominion Energy
  • Linda Mar, Columbia Generating Station, Energy Northwest
  • Luke Hatch, Idaho National Laboratory
  • Miranda Whitson, DOE Contractor, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions
  • Rita Abdella, DOE Contractor, Mission Support Alliance, Hanford
  • Sean Adams, Idaho National Laboratory
  • William (Bill) Costello, Arkansas Nuclear One, Entergy Nuclear
  • Jay Poole, DOE Contractor, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The following instructors are certified through PPA to provide this training to any individual or organization:

PPA Writer Certification Program Description

Following the development of AP-907 industry guidelines for the procedure processes, PPA initiated an industry effort to develop a training program for procedure writers. This initiative was kicked off because there was little training material for new writers.

The initiative developed lesson plans that:

  • Apply to technical procedure writing at any facility.
  • Align with industry standard guidance for technical writing (AP 907-001 and AP 907-005).
  • Implement leading human factoring writing practices.
  • Use the INPO SAT development process.

Since its initial creation in 2009, the lesson plan has been expanded to add a module for Planners who write Work Instructions.  To date, thousands of procedure writers and planners have been certified under these programs.

The PPA portion of the Procedure Writer or Work Planner Writing courses can be taught in two days. A company may need to supplement the course with their specific details necessary to complete a writer’s training.

Certification is tracked by PPA and is granted upon completion of the course and exam with a passing grade.

For the student, this course provides:

  • A quality course of instruction developed by a team of industry writers and procedure group supervisors.
  • A baseline of understanding on specific writing methods used by the nuclear industry.
  • A certification that the student has this knowledge that he/she can present to potential employers.

For the utility, this course provides:

  • A quality course of instruction developed by a team of industry writers and procedure group supervisors.
  • An assurance that each writer has a baseline level of understanding in key aspects of writing and process methods.
  • An assurance that any vendors brought in for project support have a similar baseline of knowledge.

For vendors, this course also provides:

  • A quantifiable skill level that can be demonstrated when recommending potential contract employees to a utility.

PPA Writer Certification Program Materials are NOT to be reproduced without the explicit and expressed written consent of Procedure Professionals Association (PPA).

For information on procedure writer and instructor certification, please contact the PPA Chair.