Core Program Accreditation

DOE-STD-1077-94

8. CORE PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

Training programs that are common to several facilities at a site (e.g., core programs)

should be submitted for accreditation as one program for the site versus submitting the

same core program separately accredited at each facility. Historically, Operations Offices

and facility managers have supported and encouraged the use of core programs to

effectively consolidate the training needed by new employees. Workers participate in the

core programs to learn the fundamental concepts before being assigned to a given facility.

The cost savings generated by the use of core programs can be substantial. Site and

facility managers who want to accredit core programs should follow the same Objectives

and Criteria as they would for facility-specific programs.

8.1 Accreditation Review Team (ART) Evaluation of Core Programs. The ART

evaluates core programs in one of two ways. In Option 1, the core program is evaluated

in conjunction with a facility-specific program. In Option 2, the core program is evaluated

by itself.

8.1.1 Option 1. When the first facility at a site submits a CSER that includes a core

program, the TM schedules time for the review of the facility-specific material and the core

program. This option accredits the facility-specific program and the core program.

As other site facilities who share the same core program request ART visits, the ART

does not formally review the associated core program again. Instead, the TM directs the

evaluators to use the initial ART report that includes the core program to establish an

understanding of the core program content and administration. With that background,

evaluators determine management and core program content support of the facility-

specific program under review. The TM may direct the evaluators to look more closely at

the core program if it has been two years or more since the core-program's initial review.

8.1.2 Option 2. The contractor may elect to submit a core program as a separate

program. In this instance, the TM schedules time for the review team to evaluate the core

program's strengths and weaknesses in supporting all facilities.