As a part of a continued commitment to encouraging HVAC professionals to pursue training, GE ECM by Regal-Beloit participates in the annual HVACR & Plumbing Instructor Workshop. The event, which is put together by a joint effort between ACCA, ARI, CARE, GAMA, HARDI, NATE, the PHCC Educational Foundation, RSES, and SkillsUSA.
This year’s meeting included discussions and seminars on where the industry is heading, how to attract students to the trade, classroom tools, curriculum design, and training workshops on different service concepts, techniques, and technologies like variable-speed blower motors.
GE ECM was at the workshop to present the 2006 Instructor of the Year award (see the press release here) and to lead an instructor-focused ThinkTank ECM training session.
Meetings like the instructor workshop are a great opportunity for trade instructors to meet and network with one another, discuss hot-button issues, share solutions to common problems, and pick up teaching strategies that others have found successful.
In 2006, Regal-Beloit sponsored two attendees to the workshop, and here’s what they had to say about the value of instructor meetings. Scott Owen, faculty member of Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, said, “It’s vital that we as instructors can find out how to get students and tell them what heating and air-conditioning is all about. There is a great need for new, qualified technicians to come along as more and more experienced ‘Baby Boomer’ technicians retire.”
“Educators need to know what the industry is looking for so that we can produce students who are ready to join the workforce at graduation,” added Al SanFanandre, faculty member of Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational Technical School in Plains Township, Pennsylvania.
“Industry leaders need to know what sort of issues we face, our students’ capabilities and what support we need to produce skilled technicians. This is the only conference of its kind where educators get together with industry leaders to work together to address industry issues.”
>> View the Instructor of the Year Award Press Release
>> Feature Article on Guy Letrick, the 2006 Instructor of the Year Award winner (ACHR NEWS)
>> Visit the Plumbing & HVAC Instructor's Workshop Homepage