A management & maintenance magazine for school transportation fleets
Issue link: https://sbf.epubxp.com/i/334511
47 J U L Y 2 0 1 4 • S C H O O L B U S F L E E T What is your bus being faced with this year? • Computerized cutting provides repeatability for the best ft and fnish in the industry. • Large distribution network. • Passenger securement systems. Supplier Council Member 800.543.8222 www.besi-inc.com a few of the highlights of the 2014 NAPT "Driving Innova- tion" conference: Top speakers like the Hon. Christopher A. Hart, acting chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, and one of the nation's top transportation safety experts; Nation- al Speakers Association Hall of Fame member Steve Gillil- and, whose keynote speech will explain the subtle but im- portant difference between accepting change and embracing it; and featured speaker Mark Levin, who will explain and provide concrete examples of the personal and professional return on investment you can expect from professional de- velopment and actively participating in non-proft and com- munity-based organizations. Other speakers will address safety, technology, employee management and budgeting, the transportation of students with disabilities and a wide variety of other topics. Safety/security. "Experience It — Live!" is a real-world, re- al-time live action demonstration about the vulnerabilities of your school buses, and strategies for keeping students safe. Trade show. Not to be missed is our new-format, one-day trade show featuring more than 120 vendors showcasing the latest products and services for your industry. America's Best skills challenge. You and/or your techni- cians, trainers and inspectors can participate in NAPT's America's Best competition and put your skills to the test, all while learning from experts in the industry. Professional development. NAPT is proud of its Profes- sional Development Series (PDS), and this year, we'll be offering a full slate of opportunities to bolster your pro- fessional portfolio. In addition to the PDS courses, the NAPT board of direc- tors just announced a new professional certifcation for those involved in transporting students with disabilities: Certifed in Special Needs Transportation (CSNT). It will be launched at the Summit in Kansas City. The core of the new certifcation is NAPT's Special Needs Transportation (SNT) training, a series of six learning experi- ences that are the equivalent of 24 hours of classroom educa- tion, which will all be offered at the Summit. In addition to completing SNT training (six classes), the CSNT designation requires the completion of three designat- ed PDS classes. Finally, to receive certifcation, individuals will have to successfully complete an exam. "We're thrilled to be able to offer this new, higher designa- tion and expect there will be strong demand for it," NAPT President Don Carnahan said. "We're the only organization in the industry offering this level of professional recognition." As always, our goal is to support pupil transportation pro- fessionals and provide them with the knowledge, tools and skills necessary to safely and effciently transport students to and from school every day. The transition of our SNT pro- gram into a certifcation program is another example of how we are encouraging excellence.