For those who work in the trades, success depends not only on developing core skills but on keeping those skills sharp.

Of course, you likely keep your skills well-honed simply by putting them into practice each day on behalf of customers. But treatment plant operators also require some form of licensure, which can entail continuing education courses.

As an employer of trade service professionals, it may be wise to put some basic structures into place to ensure your employees stay on top of their licensure and CEU requirements. Not only will this ensure that your technicians are on the cutting edge of their trade, but it also prevents anything from lapsing.

The question is, what can you do to monitor and manage employee credentialing?

Find out what’s needed

First and foremost, it makes sense to simply compile a list of what’s needed. Check with your state laws, as well as the recommendations of local professional associations, to determine which of your employees require licenses. Also make note of how often licenses need to be renewed, how often CEU courses must be completed, etc. Keep a master file that you and your employees can reference as needed.

Check in regularly

While it isn’t necessarily the manager's responsibility to remind employees of their licensing or CEU requirements on a constant basis, it can certainly be wise to check in and offer friendly reminders from time to time. One simple approach is to make this part of your annual employee review process. Once a year, sit down with an employee to take a look at their current license status, talk with them about what they need to do to maintain their license, and ask if they need any help finding the right continuing education classes.

Make resources available

Most employees are going to understand the significance of keeping their professional credentials up to date; they won’t want to risk losing work because they allow their license to lapse. That said, you can make things easy for them, and remove any impediments to their license renewal, by providing resources. For example, regularly share information about online or local classes. Post important licensing or credential updates from any relevant professional organizations. And offer to pay the licensing fees or continuing education costs for employees who are diligently trying to maintain their work status.

Hold employees responsible

Finally, remember that while employers can play an important role in maintaining their team members’ credentials, it’s ultimately the responsibility of your employees to do what they need to do. This is probably something that’s worth stating in your employee handbook, simply denoting that employees are held accountable for keeping up with their licensing, continuing education, and so forth.

As a team leader, it’s important to create an environment in which ongoing education is valued, licensure is held in high regard, and employees are tasked with maintaining their ability to serve customers and clients effectively. 

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About the author: Amanda E. Clark is the president and editor-in-chief of Grammar Chic, a full-service professional writing company. She is a published ghostwriter and editor, and she's currently under contract with literary agencies in Malibu, California and Dublin. Since founding Grammar Chic in 2008, Clark, along with her team of skilled professional writers, has offered expertise to clients in the creative, business and academic fields. The company accepts a wide range of projects; often engages in content and social media marketing; and drafts resumes, press releases, web content, marketing materials and ghostwritten creative pieces. Contact Clark at www.grammarchic.net.