The National RV Training Academy (NRVTA) has announced a change to its certification program, which breaks away from the certification program developed by the RV industry. Under the new program, people who complete training can test to be registered, certified or master certified RV technicians.
“We closely evaluated the new training standards rolled out by the RV industry and did not see a corresponding benefit for participating in that program because our students were already receiving the level of training to which the industry aspires, but in much less time,” said Terry Cooper, NRVTA president. “We have been training RV technicians since 1999 and feel we have the best program to educate people who want to become professional techs either working for RV dealerships, campgrounds or serving as mobile service technicians. … We are confident enough in our training ability that we’ve opted to issue our own certifications. … Our graduates have been working in the field for many years. Their on-the-job performance confirms they are well qualified to diagnose and repair any RV.”
Students who complete the academy’s one-week Basic RV Maintenance course are eligible to take a written test to become NRVTA-registered RV technicians, which qualifies them to perform pre-delivery inspections and basic service work for dealerships and campgrounds. They also can develop their own mobile RV repair businesses.
The first-week technician course provides graduates with the ability to repair about 80 percent of the problems most people are likely to encounter on RVs, according to the academy.
People passing the written test also receive a certificate of completion and an NRVTA-registered RV technician patch.
Students who complete four additional weeks of advance technician training in air conditioners, heat pumps, absorption refrigerators, water heaters, furnaces and exteriors, are eligible to complete hands-on and written exams to become NRVTA-certified RV technicians.
That signifies they have the skill and ability to resolve almost all problems people will experience with an RV, Cooper explained. People who pass the hands-on practical exam and written test receive credentials and an NRVTA-certified RV technician patch.
A student who completes all training – including advanced courses in solar power and generators – and logs three years of supervised on-the-job experience as an RV technician – can test to become an NRVTA master-certified RV technician. That signifies he or she has the ability and experience to diagnose and repair any problem with an RV, said Cooper.
Qualified students also receive special credentials and are authorized to wear the academy’s patch indicating they are NRVTA master certified RV technicians.
The intensive courses were developed to provide classroom education plus hands-on labs to diagnose a wide range of RV components made by well-known suppliers, said Cooper.
“By providing 10 hours of instruction each day for four to five days, we get students in and out of the classrooms quickly to put their training to work directly in the field,” he added.
Prior to 2018, Cooper conducted classes at locations around the country before opening a fixed facility in Athens, Texas, adjacent to the Texan RV park where students can stay while taking training. The Big Red School House, as it is commonly called, is a 15,000-square-foot building with three classrooms and four service bays.
“Our program is recognized by industry manufacturers and dealerships for providing training technicians really need,” said Cooper. “There are many individuals within our industry who see the importance of having current systems and appliances used within our courses. Through these donations, we are able to ensure we are training on today’s RVs.”
Since classes started in October 2018, more than 300 people have completed hands-on training at the National RV Training Academy. Of those students, 186 were pursuing technician certification, and 98 percent passed the exam to become NRVTA-registered RV technicians.
Another 48 students continued on into the advanced training program and became NRVTA-certified RV technicians.
The NRVTA is co-hosting an annual continuing education event in April with the National RV Inspectors Association at their facility in Athens. Supplier training is scheduled for Spartan Chassis, Truma, Dometic, Aqua-Hot, Lippert Components, MORryde and Blue Ox.
Expo dates are April 17-19.
Tickets and registration details can be found at www.nrvtaexpo.com.
