Inmates at the Worcester House of Correction in Massachusetts will leave jail with a marketable skill that is in high demand nationwide after recently completing training to become Level 1 RV service technicians. These inmates who are scheduled for release this fall or later next year completed their Level 1 training last week as a result of a partnership between Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis and the RV Technical Institute to train inmates for a career after incarceration.
“Our goal is to recruit, train and certify RV service technicians,” said RVTI Executive Director Curt Hemmeler. “The RV Technical Institute’s hands-on training and instruction, created by top RV industry experts, provides students with the experience and expertise needed by manufacturers, dealerships and repair shops nationwide. Our curriculum is available through partnerships like this that allow local educators provide the hands-on training. When they’re ready for work, we will also help them find a job.”
The instructor for the program was RVTI Level 4 certified technician Chris Dougherty of Dougherty RV Consulting. Dougherty will also be available to train the graduates after release on the RVTI Level 2 curriculum which covers basic diagnostics, troubleshooting and repairs.
Bob Zagami, executive director of the New England RV Dealers Association (NERVDA), is working with New England area RV dealerships to place the graduates with jobs.
The 40-hour course included work with propane, electrical, water, appliances, generator and chassis systems, including 4.5 hours of hands-on practical training with a travel trailer donated by Fuller RV Rentals and Sales in Boylston, Massachusetts.
“The RVTI program creates opportunities for participants to secure high paying jobs. Nothing is more important than the dignity and self-respect of earning a paycheck,” said Sheriff Evangelidis.
