Advisory Committee

NATEF Standard 2.5 requires that each certified program or program seeking certification must have an Advisory Committee consisting of at least five members. The Committee must meet a minimum of twice per year, with at least 5 members in attendance, and be utilized to provide counsel, assistance, and information from the community served by the training program. The most effective training programs are those with active and effective Advisory Committees.

The Advisory Committee plays a crucial role in the program's self-evaluation process when preparing to become ASE certified. The Advisory Committee not only can help with looking at the program and its readiness for an on-site evaluation team, but can also suggest and help implement changes that will strengthen the program and its readiness for the evaluation.

The NATEF evaluation team will be looking for evidence that the Advisory Committee is active and has been involved in the self-evaluation process. Advisory Committee minutes need to be detailed and discuss these following standards.

Advisory Committee Functions

The overall functions of the Committee are to assist the program internally and to represent the program in the community, specifically:

  • Curriculum Content Advisement: advising on what to teach, based on one question, "Do graduates possess the entry-level job skills needed by employers in the area served?"
  • Career Guidance and Placement: attending career days, serving as guest speakers, conducting mock interviews, locating prospective employers
  • Community Public Relations: promoting awareness of the program
  • Equipment, Facilities, and Resources Review: recommending the equipment and facilities needed to provide students with an optimal learning environment
  • Program Review: reviewing program goals, budgetary needs, and data collection procedures; developing long-range plans

Suggestions on Forming an Advisory Committee

  • Do select enough members to give an adequate base for opinions, yet limit the number so that members can comfortably and freely discuss business. Normally, between five and fifteen members produce the most effective committee.
  • Do select members who have no political motivation for committee service and who have no 'pet project' they want to promote over the welfare of the overall program.
  • Do set a time limit for terms on the Advisory Committee. Stagger the times that members rotate off the Advisory Committee. Having new members adds fresh ideas and perspective; members in the second or third year of their term add the benefit of experience.
  • Do select members who represent both workers and supervisors in order to get an accurate picture of the community's employment needs.
  • Do select members who represent a cross-section of the industry.

Download a copy of NATEF's Advisory Committee Handbook for more information.