During the RV Technical Institute’s (RVTI) press call Thursday, Executive Director Curt Hemmeler announced early results from RVTI’s online education launch in the fall.
Last year, 649 technicians, 123 of who completed the Level One Online Course, graduated training. Hemmeler said RVTI’s goal was to train 1,000 technicians. “Some of our 2021 learning partners, because of COVID-19 and the selling season, did not get as many techs trained as they thought they would in 2020,” Hemmeler said. “Most have renewed in 2021, and we are seeing training taking off now.”
Level One Online Course enrollment skyrocketed since 2021 began, Hemmeler said, crediting RVTI’s special enrollment discount that runs through Feb. 28. Until then, the $1,995 enrollment fee is only $495.
Hemmeler said he expects signup numbers to increase as RVs require service after accelerating industry sales.
The Level One self-paced course launched on RVTI’s website in October last year, after COVID-19 cancelled in-person sessions. Level Two education is expected to be published in June.
When a technician signs up for the Level One course once in-person training returns, the technician can specify if he/she wants to work with an approved Authorized Learning Partners (ALP) in their region.
The ALP program was designed last year to replace large-scale live training. Subscribing local partners are given the courses’ full curriculum, training materials and learning management system to deliver to one or several technicians. Current ALPs include schools, mobile technicians, independent learning centers, dealerships such as Keystone RV, and state associations such as the Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle and Camping Association.
“The education is in a box,” Hemmeler said. “It is standardized. We hand you everything you need. All you need is someone to deliver that.”
Hemmeler said RVTI hopes technicians can train in-person with ALPs come March. “There should be no reason someone cannot get trained,” Hemmeler said. “I wanted to put as many options out there to receive the education.”
