Navarro College in Corsicana has become the first community college to be named an Authorized Learning Partner of the RV Technical Institute (RVTI).
Starting in 2025, the college will introduce the institute’s Level 1 curriculum to students interested in pursuing careers as RV technicians. This partnership aims to address the demand for qualified technicians in the RV industry.
The two-week program at Navarro College will cover essential topics like propane systems, electrical repairs, plumbing, and more. This training will equip students with the skills needed to prepare RVs for delivery by ensuring the functionality of critical components.
Upon completion of the program, students will have the necessary certifications and knowledge to meet industry standards. The course’s scope also extends to practical skills such as forklift certification and OSHA safety training.
This initiative has been supported by Fun Town RV, a Fort Worth-based dealership, which contributed $250,000 to help establish the program at Navarro College. Fun Town RV, inspired by Navarro’s existing John Deere TECH program, approached the college about creating a curriculum that would address the nationwide need of RV technicians.
Fun Town RV’s corporate training manager, Amberly Patrick, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Fun Town approached the college about two and a half years ago expressing the need for RV technicians nationwide. Since then, I am proud to say that Fun Town has been working closely with Navarro College and other industry partners to create an affordable, realistically time-framed, hands-on, and didactic program through the RV Technical Institute certification,” Patrick explained.
Navarro College, which is celebrating its 78th anniversary, sees the partnership as an opportunity to expand its technical education offerings. Tara Peters, the executive director of workforce, career, and technical education at Navarro College, highlighted the importance of meeting industry needs.
“This workforce program will prepare students to meet an urgent industry need for qualified technicians. Also, this program represents the best in partnering with businesses and industry to meet their workforce needs,” Peters noted.
Curt Hemmeler, the institute’s executive director, also expressed his appreciation for Navarro College’s involvement. “It’s important for us to successfully increase the number of trained RV techs across the country. This is particularly true in states like Texas, where Navarro College is located and where Fun Town RV is based, because the state is the top destination for RV shipments and its economy is directly impacted by the RV industry,” Hemmeler said in News & Insights report of RVIA.