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 91裸聊视频� like Hollmann 91裸聊视频� are Red Seal tradespeople and graduates of the College91裸聊视频檚 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 College91裸聊视频檚 Kelowna campus to provide the service techs with information about new technology.
91裸聊视频淚t was tremendous,91裸聊视频� explains Hollmann, who has been a tech for 16 years. 91裸聊视频淎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 it91裸聊视频檚 so fresh there are no service manuals yet, and tech support isn91裸聊视频檛 completely up to speed.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淲e run into the products in the RVs we service and this is the best way to bring yourself up to speed.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e traveled around the world with it,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淚 went to Australia and worked for an RV dealership there. Inside two weeks I was shop foreman. They don91裸聊视频檛 have the kind of training program in Australia that we have here.91裸聊视频�
He also used it when he went 91裸聊视频渟nowbirding91裸聊视频� to the southern U.S. 91裸聊视频� 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: 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 being able to fix your own everything.91裸聊视频�
RV Service Techs get training in electrical systems, mechanics, plumbing, gas-fitting, construction, carpentry 91裸聊视频� it91裸聊视频檚 a collection of skills rolled into one apprenticeable trade, which has significant employer demand. Government statistics show that 95 per cent of Okanagan College91裸聊视频檚 RV Service Technician apprentices are employed.
91裸聊视频淢any of the students who enrol in the RV program are surprised at how extensive the skill set they develop is,91裸聊视频� said Cam McRobb, the chair of the college91裸聊视频檚 Motor Vehicle Trades Department. 91裸聊视频淭he other thing 91裸聊视频� the really important thing 91裸聊视频� is that there is demand for trained technicians.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淭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,91裸聊视频� explained Joan Jackson, RVDABC91裸聊视频檚 executive director. 91裸聊视频淥ur member companies have a vested interest in ensuring their technicians are as up-to-speed on new technologies and equipment as is possible. It91裸聊视频檚 part of their commitment to their customer base.91裸聊视频�
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.
