North American Technician Excellence (NATE) recently surveyed 50 individuals to receive some feedback on the organization. NATE conducts different types of surveys throughout the year in order to gather information from contractors, distributors, manufacturers, and others.

“There are some things you suspect are true, but you don’t have the proof yet,” said Carl Smith, director of marketing and public relations for NATE. “That is what these surveys are about. We are looking for the proof. These results validate some things we already suspected.”

Survey Results

The most recent survey included 50 respondents. Thirty-three were contractors; seven, wholesalers; four, technicians; two, manufacturers; and the final four marked “other.”

The first question NATE asked was concerning the respondents’ certification status. The results indicated that 36 percent were NATE certified, 36 percent said they were not certified, 18 percent gave no answer or said it wasn’t applicable (not technicians), and 10 percent said they planned to earn NATE certification.

“That was about what we would expect to see,” Smith said.

Respondents were asked if certification should be required of all technicians: 45 percent said yes, 24 percent said no, 4 percent had mixed emotions, and 27 percent did not answer the question.

When asked if NATE-certified technicians are better compensated than other technicians, 36 percent said yes; 27 percent, no; and 37 percent said they did not know or left the question blank.

Compensation

Of those answering yes regarding better compensation, responses included:

“NATE-certified technicians are better compensated because they are more valuable to an employer.”

“Somewhat, on a case-by-case basis.”

“At our company, NATE-certified technicians get an hourly increase.”

“Our company has a pay scale and NATE is an incentive marker on it.”

“It’s a company condition of employment. If you don’t have it, you have 18 months to earn it.”

“NATE-certified technicians are sent on more ‘on-demand’ calls.”

“Company has structured increases for NATE-certified technicians built around certification — 3 percent for CORE, and 1 percent for each additional specialty certification they earn.”

“There is an incremental raise for each NATE-certification a technician at our company earns. (Not those which are awarded, but that the technician actually tested for.)”

Smith said that NATE was not surprised by these comments. “Contractors value NATE certification in an employee. Not only do NATE-certified technicians tend to generate more revenue for the company, but since they are verifiably more knowledgeable, they tend to have fewer callbacks,” Smith said. “One contractor said if he had to lay technicians off, he’d keep NATE-certified ones.”

To learn more about NATE and find out how to become tested, visit www.natex.org.