Carl Hollmann is among those Okanagan College alumni who relish the close working relationship that his alma mater has with the Recreation Vehicle industry that has provided him with a fulfilling career.
Hollmann, who runs his own business in Nanaimo, was among 24 RV technicians gathered in early February at Okanagan College for industry-led training that familiarizes them with the most recent equipment and techniques used in the industry.
Most of them 香蕉视频直播� like Hollmann 香蕉视频直播� are Red Seal tradespeople and graduates of the College香蕉视频直播檚 RV Service Technician program, which is the only one in the province.
The industry training was organized by the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of B.C. (RVDABC) and Okanagan College. Manufacturers and equipment suppliers came to the College香蕉视频直播檚 Kelowna campus to provide the service techs with information about new technology.
香蕉视频直播淚t was tremendous,香蕉视频直播� explains Hollmann, who has been a tech for 16 years. 香蕉视频直播淎twood Mobile Products was on hand Monday to show us and explain their new furnaces and water heaters. They have executed a complete redesign on their product line but it香蕉视频直播檚 so fresh there are no service manuals yet, and tech support isn香蕉视频直播檛 completely up to speed.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淲e run into the products in the RVs we service and this is the best way to bring yourself up to speed.香蕉视频直播�
Other manufacturers on hand included Dometic Corporation, Demco/Hijacker and Canadian Energy.
Hollmann, who has also done duty on occasion as an instructor at the college, is also a fervent advocate for the program and the career opportunities being an RV Service Tech affords.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e traveled around the world with it,香蕉视频直播� he says. 香蕉视频直播淚 went to Australia and worked for an RV dealership there. Inside two weeks I was shop foreman. They don香蕉视频直播檛 have the kind of training program in Australia that we have here.香蕉视频直播�
He also used it when he went 香蕉视频直播渟nowbirding香蕉视频直播� to the southern U.S. 香蕉视频直播� and ended up working for several months on inverters and solar panels for RVs.
The best part about being an RV Service Technician, though, says Hollmann is simple: 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 being able to fix your own everything.香蕉视频直播�
RV Service Techs get training in electrical systems, mechanics, plumbing, gas-fitting, construction, carpentry 香蕉视频直播� it香蕉视频直播檚 a collection of skills rolled into one apprenticeable trade, which has significant employer demand. Government statistics show that 95 per cent of Okanagan College香蕉视频直播檚 RV Service Technician apprentices are employed.
香蕉视频直播淢any of the students who enrol in the RV program are surprised at how extensive the skill set they develop is,香蕉视频直播� said Cam McRobb, the chair of the college香蕉视频直播檚 Motor Vehicle Trades Department. 香蕉视频直播淭he other thing 香蕉视频直播� the really important thing 香蕉视频直播� is that there is demand for trained technicians.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淭hat demand, and the changing nature of the industry, is one of the reasons we work with Okanagan College to offer these professional development opportunities,香蕉视频直播� explained Joan Jackson, RVDABC香蕉视频直播檚 executive director. 香蕉视频直播淥ur member companies have a vested interest in ensuring their technicians are as up-to-speed on new technologies and equipment as is possible. It香蕉视频直播檚 part of their commitment to their customer base.香蕉视频直播�
Okanagan College will be offering a new intake of its 28-week foundation program in RV Service Technician in September 2016. For more information, you can call (250) 762-5445, ext. 4558 or email.
