NDA’s CDS Certifcation: ‘A Receipt of Knowledge’
July 14, 2025
Matthew Byers, project manager at NDA member company D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company, recently earned NDA’s Certified Demolition Supervisor (CDS) certification. We caught up with Byers to learn more about his experience with the program.
What motivated you to pursue the CDS certification?
I felt that the industry was lacking accreditation as a whole. You look for a licensed electrician when you need electrical work done, and you look for a licensed plumber when you need plumbing work done, but when it comes to demolition, you choose the first option that pops up on the internet. The demolition industry has been lacking the ability to prove competence to our clients, and now we have a resource to do just that. NDA companies can now provide documentation that their teams are qualified to provide safe and knowledgeable crews to perform the work.
How would you characterize the process of obtaining the CDS certification?
It was an eye-opening experience. It makes you realize the importance of remaining current on all your training. You have to meet all of the prerequisites, have the time vested and prove your knowledge over a broad range of subjects. It causes you to refresh all of your skill sets to ensure that you are ready to sit for the exam.
How has the CDS certification enhanced your skills and knowledge in the field of demolition?
It has given me the opportunity to show my clients that I have the required knowledge and abilities to perform a safe and efficient project. Before the CDS, a project was awarded to the lowest bid with the best sales team, regardless of their skill set; now there is an accreditation to prove that skill set. In many ways, it is like a receipt of knowledge.
In what ways has the CDS certification helped you in maintaining high safety standards in demolition practices?
It has reminded me that staying current with all the training and continuing education is important, especially with the ever-changing regulations. You want to stay current or ahead of the industry standards. It reminds you of the importance of having the knowledge to keep your teams and the community safe.
What would you say to other professionals considering pursuing the CDS certification?
I may seem biased in this opinion, but I feel strongly that the CDS should be the industry standard. Moving forward as an industry, we need to be able to offer a level of expertise that our clients should expect. There should be a point soon when our clients should not only expect CDS certification but demand it for their projects.