International Equity for PSAI Programs
<p>This year, PSAI is emphasizing projects that will increase benefits and equity for those portable restroom operators outside of the U.S., especially those who are already PSAI members. Projects include changes to the PSAI Scholarship Program and the Basic Service Technician Training Series.</p>
<p>The PSAI Scholarship Program was founded in 1997 and since then has awarded over $420,000 in scholarships to PSAI member employees and their families. These scholarships can go toward vocational, not just undergraduate programs, and both full- and part-time students can apply. However, until this year, the scholarships could only be applied toward educational institutions based in the U.S.</p>
<p>As of 2023, PSAI, with the support of Scholarship America, has changed the eligibility to allow scholarships to be applied to approved international educational institutions. This is especially exciting for PSAI member companies located in countries where post-secondary education is difficult to afford, and a PSAI scholarship could cover most, or even all their tuition. <a href="https://www.psai.org/scholarship-program" target="_blank">Applications for the PSAI Scholarship </a>are due by Feb. 15.</p>
<p>PSAI is also improving international equity around industry-specific education. Of all the association’s education programs, the Basic Service Technician Training series (BSTT) is the most popular. This series covers best practices for servicing, maintaining, logistics, safety, and more. It’s widely accepted in the U.S. for continuing education and as preparation for certification exams. That said, the course has many U.S.-specific references such as OSHA and other U.S. regulatory bodies. A few years ago, PSAI partnered with the Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services to create a version of the BSTT specific to Ontario. Now, PSAI is working to create a new version of the BSTT void of any region-specific references, making it purely a course on best practices. The goal is to make a version of this widely accepted course that could be applied about anywhere in the world. Stay tuned for updates this year on how PSAI will work to make its education courses available on-demand.</p>
<p>Some other projects are in the works to increase the value of international membership. Keep following Association Insights as we share more in the coming months!</p>