The RV Technical Institute (RVTI) is proud to announce that it has successfully recruited more than 1,000 students from outside the industry during its “Year of Recruitment,” surpassing its goal, as per the News & Insights report of the RV Industry Association.
“We surpassed our goal by 10%,” said Curt Hemmeler, executive director of the RV Technical Institute. “Our team is really excited about this, and we’re looking forward to building on this success next year.”
RVTI aims to recruit and train more RV technicians to meet the ongoing demand in the industry. In 2022, they launched the “Year of Recruitment,” which aimed to bring in at least 1,000 new RV technicians from outside the industry.
This goal was achieved through consumer marketing campaigns targeting job seekers interested in becoming RV technicians and partnerships with organizations such as high schools, trade schools, prisons, and government training programs.
These efforts have resulted in the Institute now having at least one student at 750 RV dealerships. The RV industry offers quality pay and on-the-job training without the burden of college debt, which is a message that resonates with recruits.
In the coming year, RVTI will continue to focus on recruiting more technicians through increased marketing efforts and a presence at consumer and industry shows.
They also plan to expand partnerships with RV dealerships and have Institute-trained students at 900 dealerships, up from 750. The goal is to increase the number of recruits to 1,200.
In addition to recruiting new technicians, the Institute is also expanding its training program with the launch of Level 3 certification.
This program, delivered in partnership with RV industry suppliers, provides advanced training in specific areas such as appliance repair, chassis maintenance, and electrical work. Level 3 technicians can earn a certification in one or more of these specialties.
Another important aspect of the Institute’s recruitment efforts is attracting more women to the RV technician field. In 2022, they partnered with the RV Women’s Alliance to offer an all-female RV technician class.
This pilot program, which took place in August 2022, resulted in 22 women successfully completing training and testing to become RV Technical Institute Certified Level 1 RV Technicians.
The program received positive feedback and will be expanded nationwide in the coming year. The Institute offers five all-female technician classes in various locations across the United States, including Texas, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Indiana.
“Thank you to everyone who helped us reach this goal,” said Hemmeler. “This achievement took a large amount of teamwork and dedication, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish next year. We’re eager to continue this work, and we look forward to seeing the impact it has on the consumer’s ability to quickly get back on the road.”