policy for years, ALOA ACE Instructors must recertify periodically to maintain their ACE status. This also helps the Education Department ascertain if the instructor is using the most effective and/or latest tech- niques and technology to instruct their classes. The recertification process is also being used to certify instructors that were simply “anointed” as ACE Instructors in the past and assure that they are instruct- ing in the manner that is equal to or above ALOA standards. The recertification process started with SAFETECH 2014 in Lexington, KY, where two instructors were awarded ACE status, six existing instructors recertified and three are pending that must take some correc- tive measures and follow up review. This process will continue in New Orleans with ALOA 2014. The PRP program has enjoyed a bit of renewed popularity since the new testing process has been introduced. The HOST testing, which is where test takers go to a local proctored site to take their exams, has had about the same participants as previous years while the largest increase has been the Certified Licensed Locksmith (CLL) exam used in Louisiana, which is being allowed to be taken Online with a web proctor. There are three different versions of the test and a second set of 3 are being developed to decrease the cheating / memorizing the test issue. This delivery has been extremely popular for this exam thus far. We are also working with Ashworth College, a distance learning facility that has a Basic Locksmith class, on developing and supplying their own test for Online delivery, the ALOA Funda- mentals Locksmith – Ashworth (AFL-A). This test would be similar to that given to our own Fundamentals students and would be considered a designation, and not part of a certification process. The Certification Department has also, with coordination of the new AIL division, developed certification for our institutional WWW.ALOA.ORG “ALOA continues to battle against fake locksmith scams. Throughout the years, ALOA has taken steps to raise the issue before the public and proper authorities.” members. Those credentials are: ICRL – Institutional Certified Registered Locksmith ICPL – Institutional Certified Profes- sional Locksmith ICML – Institutional Certified Master Locksmith These will require a separate test from the standard PRP as they will be geared toward the Institutional Locksmith who may never see the full gamut of things those in the re- tail portion of the business experience. The testing is still in development, but very close. End 2: Recognition ALOA’s brand is guaranteed to become more recognized in the industry and by consum- ers with the addition of the new logos. There are is a range of logos to choose from. The original corporate logo has been updated with the new name, without a design change. A logo has been created for those wanting recognition as a “security professional” and is available upon request. The logo used for the past several years, “Locksmiths You Can Trust,” has also been updated with the new association name. There’s also the AIL logo, ALOA corporate logo and the IAIL logo. The ALOA Annual Convention & Security Expo is highly recognized in the industry, and is regarded as the show that should not be missed. It continues to provide network- ing opportunities for our members, with more than 250 manufacturers regularly exhibiting. Exhibiting companies recognize that ALOA members are the most qualified buyers and providers of security hardware and services. In addition, the staff contacts hundreds of additional companies to in- form them of our exposition, send email blasts, and does phone follow-up. Brochures and flyers are sent out regularly promoting ALOA, the annual convention and sched- uled education offerings. Associate members, exhibitors and ad- vertisers from other security associations are sent the standard ALOA logo, as well as the convention logo, so that their client list will have a direct link to the ALOA website. This should increase awareness of ALOA while creating additional sources for asso- ciate members, exhibitors and advertisers, and providing a resource for our members looking for products. ALOA has worked with groups such as ESA, SHDA, ASIS, IFDIA and DHI on a va- riety of projects to enhance programs and benefits for the membership. These groups recognize ALOA as a viable professional organization. In addition to the promotion partnership with industry groups — including Ameri- can Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), International Facility Managers Association (IFMA), Financial Security Products Asso- ciation, Association for Facilities Engineer- ing (AFE) and SHDA — ALOA is actively working with state licensing departments on getting its classes and PRP qualified for the testing continuing education requirements. ALOA’s training programs are recognized by Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee, and we are in the process of getting approved in New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland. ALOA communicates with reputable lock- smithing schools to provide information on membership and advanced training oppor- tunities available through the ACE program JULY/AUGUST 2014 KEYNOTES 33
