Page 10 - INDEX Spring 2025

TONY ANDERSON

CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER

CONTINUED...

DLC Pathway: Entry Points & Upgrades
We have observed a significant number of applicants applying for Grade 1, 2, or 3 within the Distance
Learning Course (DLC) Pathway.

As a reminder, the only entry point for the DLC Pathway—across both Water Treatment and Commissioning—
is Trainee Grade.

Upgrade requests from Trainee Grade to the next level can only be considered upon successful
completion of the required DLC coursework and the associated BESA test – with a Project-by-Project CV.

Academic Pathway: Entry Points & Upgrades

We have also noted several key trends with applicants on the Academic Pathway:

• A rise in applications from individuals not actively engaged in hands-on Water Treatment or
Commissioning roles. Please note that only candidates performing Water Treatment and/or
Commissioning duties are eligible to apply for CSA grades.
• An increase in applicants with non-related academic qualifications seeking entry via the Academic
Pathway. Only Building Services related courses are accepted.

Checking your application meets the pathway requirements before issuing for assessment will result in
a quicker turn-around time.

Continued & Upcoming Projects

The CSA remains committed to continuous improvement, with several key initiatives in progress, including:

• Development of a new Commissioning Management two-day course
• Continued delivery of Commissioning Management Core Concepts Course
• Updates to the WT DLC B Test, WT DLC C Test, WT Grade 4 Exam, and WT Grade 5 Thesis
• Ongoing refinement of Assessment Panel processes
• Continuous review and enhancement of the Pathway of Development
• Supporting and developing Australia/New Zealand and GCC chapters

Final Words

The vast majority, 99% of our interactions with members are positive and run smoothly. However, with
the unprecedented demand and workload, occasional delays can occur.

We want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the CSA has a zero-tolerance policy for any
abuse directed at our staff. Whether the concern is related to SKILLcard requirements, application delays,
or interview scheduling, these matters are not the responsibility of our office team to resolve directly.

If there is an issue that requires investigation or resolution, please provide as much detail as possible
and email office@csa.org.uk marking your message as “Complaint”. A member of our technical team
will review and respond accordingly.

Jo, Kate, and Kayleigh perform an outstanding job managing the high volume of membership interactions,
and by addressing the rare but unfortunate 1% of negative interactions, we can continue fostering a positive
and professional working environment for everyone. Thanks!

Tony Anderson – CSA CTO