Virginia Transportation Agency Seeks Performance-Based Certification

Departments of Transportation (DOTs) across the country are challenged to maintain their roads and bridges in the face of large fiscal budgets cuts. Because the work does not diminish with the budget cuts, much of the labor and inspection processes are being transitioned to personnel in private industry. Certification programs help ensure consistent levels of quality across individuals who inspect the manufacture, delivery, and application and maintenance the roads and bridges. The Virginia DOT took a “performance-based” approach during this tough transition period to build a certificate program with measurable results. Managers in other agencies who face similar jobs outsourcing may find the certification course development process outlined here helpful to establish quality controls.