Located in Corsicana, Texas, Navarro College is the first community college to become an RV Technical Institute (RVTI) Authorized Learning Partner.
Starting in 2025, Navarro College will begin teaching the Institute’s Level 1 curriculum to students interested in becoming RV technicians.
The two-week class, which will take place at Navarro College, is intended to train more mobile techs and dealer techs. The course will cover propane, electrical, plumbing, appliances, body, generator and chassis, as well as proper repair order write-ups, forklift certification and OSHA training. A student who successfully completes the training will have a proven skill set to prepare an RV for customer delivery by verifying the operation of all components. Level 2 courses will eventually be added, as well as Level 3.
The class has also been championed by Fun Town RV, which donated $250,000 to help establish the course at Navarro College. The dealership, which is based in Fort Worth, Texas, suggested the RV technician training course to Navarro College, taking inspiration from the college’s existing John Deere TECH program.
“I am extremely excited about the partnership between the RV Technical Institute and Navarro College,” says Amberly Patrick, Fun Town RV’s corporate training manager. “Fun Town approached the college about two and a half years ago expressing the need for RV technicians nationwide. Since then, I am proud to say that Fun Town has been working closely with Navarro College and other industry partners to create an affordable, realistically time-framed, hands-on and didactic program through the RV Technical Institute certification, which will allow a solid foundation of skills for those interested in entering the field, as well as other ancillary soft skills that will empower them to succeed. This program will help meet the need for qualified RV technicians. In turn, this will make for a more satisfied camper.”
Likewise, Navarro College, which is celebrating its 78th anniversary, has also expressed excitement for its partnership with the RV Technical Institute.
“Navarro College is delighted to partner with the RV industry to offer a new RV Technician Program,” said Tara Peters, executive director of workforce, career, and technical education at Navarro College. “This workforce program will prepare students to meet an urgent industry need for qualified technicians. Also, this program represents the very best in partnering with business and industry to meet their workforce needs.”
“The RV Technical Institute is thrilled that Navarro College will be working with us as an Authorized Learning Partner. Additionally, we appreciate all the contributions from Fun Town RV to make this happen,” said Curt Hemmeler, RV Technical Institute’s executive director. “We are strategically moving forward in our efforts to recruit and train more RV techs, and part of this strategy involves working closer with community colleges like Navarro College.
“It’s important for us to successfully increase the number of trained RV techs across the country. This is particularly true in states like Texas, where Navarro College is located and where Fun Town RV is based, because the state is the top destination for RV shipments and its economy is directly impacted by the RV industry. We are hoping that building this pipeline of trained technicians will help to reduce repair event cycle time and ultimately create happier consumers. And a crucial part of building this pipeline includes being supported by institutions like Navarro College,” Hemmeler said.
The partnership with Navarro College is the latest educational institution (but the first community college) to partner with the RV Technical Institute as an Authorized Learning Partner. Other educational partners include the J-Tech Institute, Northeast Technology Center, Erie County Technical School and more. RVTI also works with interested high schools to include their courses in the school curriculum.
