The RV Technical Institute (RVTI) team has been introducing as many interested individuals as possible to the service technician career path, RVIA said.
“Increasing the number of trained and certified technicians will have an immediate impact on the RV industry’s ability to deliver an amazing experience for our millions of customers, getting them the service and repairs they need to keep them happy and on the road,” said Curt Hemmeler, RVTI’s executive director.
Along with networking and training students directly, RVTI established the Authorized Learning Partner program, a regional training partner network approved to deliver the RVTI’s standardized training on a local or regional basis. One training partner is the Windham School District, which provides academic, career and technical education, and life skills programs to eligible individuals within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
Last year, Windham piloted a first-of-its-kind RV technician training program at the Linda Woodman Campus, an all-women’s facility in Gatesville, Texas. Their first class of 10 students graduated July 1 with Level 1 certification.
“The Windham School District is honored to partner with RVTI to provide our students a program where they will gain the knowledge and skills needed to obtain gainful employment and succeed in the industry,” said Windham School District Superintendent Kristina J. Hartman, Ed.S.
Program graduate Monica Cardenas-Broadus now works at the Clear Creek RV dealership in Abilene, Texas.
“I initially wanted to do automotive, but they did not offer that there,” Cardenas-Broadus said. “This was a new program, and it was not something that everyone else had already done. I thought it would be a cool class where I could learn something new, and it kept me busy.”
When Cardenas-Broadus discovered she would be working for Clear Creek RV, she was surprised.
“They called me down to education and said they had a job for me, and that I would be starting Dec. 1 at Clear Creek RV Center. I just started crying… I had been praying for that job,” Cardenas-Broadus said.
Guy Morgan, Clear Creek RV’s service manager, said he recognized the impact that RVTI’s training can have on its students.
“The training that Monica received from RVTI’s curriculum is very acceptable, and having their program taught with the department of corrections is an outstanding idea,” Morgan said. “They are learning a skill set that is in dire need on so many different levels.”
