The Athens, Texas-based National RV Training Academy (NRVTA) recently graduated 48 people who completed its Basic RV Training Course, opening the door for them to get entry-level jobs as repair technicians at dealerships and campgrounds.
It was the largest single class since NRVTA opened its “Big Red School House” in 2018.
To comply with Texas COVID-19 restrictions, each student sat their own table, wore masks when gathering together, practiced social distancing and had their temperatures checked when entering the school.
After completing the basic class, 26 prospective technicians and inspectors passed a written exam to become NRVTA Registered RV Technicians.
Of the 48 students in the introductory class, 21 of them chose to continue advanced training to obtain NRVTA certification or open a mobile repair business, and 25 opted to seek inspector certification. Several students will eventually become certified as both technicians and inspectors.
“We see this as a very positive sign for the RV industry,” said NRVTA President Terry Cooper. “Demand to buy or rent RVs is unprecedented this summer. At a time when businesses and travel options seem to be shutting down, people are embracing RVs for vacations. The opportunity to find work as an RV inspector or technician has never been higher.”
For more than 25 years, the RV industry has experienced a critical shortage of technicians, Cooper said, noting that a coordinated effort by the industry to develop and train more technicians has been lackluster. However, it opened the door for NRVTA to develop a practical training program to get more people trained for the career opportunity, he added.
Since classes started in October 2018, more than 400 people have completed some type of training through the academy.
