In effort to recruit future RV service technicians from wherever it can get them, the RV Technical Institute (RVTI) is getting its technician training program into certain high schools around the country.
Last year, RVTI representatives attended several American School Counselor Association events to educate high school counselors about the RV industry and the demands for technicians. This year, RVTI is currently working with four high schools in three states to set up Level 1 RV technician training programs.
The three states are Indiana, Pennsylvania and Texas. RVTI staff are training interested high school teachers to conduct the training. Typically, these are teachers that already work in their school’s vocational technician department. Once they become certified Level 1 techs, they will be able to then teach the students.
“At the moment, we’re setting up how to deliver the curriculum and any instructional aids that the students may need,” said RV Technical Institute Director of Recruitment Tracy Anglemeyer. “We’re also planning to partner the high schools with dealerships to facilitate the teachers’ and students’ training. This will allow future job opportunities for the learners and provide dealerships with an additional avenue to gain employees.”
So far, Anglemeyer said, enthusiasm for the class is high.
“High schools are looking for more options and career paths for students. When counselors learn we can help place their students, they become so excited,” she said.