The RV Technical Institute (RVTI) and Littleton Public Schools marked a milestone on October 8 with the launch of the first high school RV technician certification program at the district’s EPIC Campus in Colorado.
The initiative was unveiled during the RV Industry Open House, which drew more than 100 parents, students, faculty, and school board members.
The event showcased how the collaboration aims to address the growing demand for skilled RV service technicians while opening a new career pathway for students.
By integrating RVTI’s technician training curriculum into EPIC’s career and technical education programs, Littleton Public Schools is helping to fill a crucial skills gap within the RV industry. The program gives students access to certification-level training, ensuring they are workforce-ready upon graduation.
For local dealers, the program represents a long-term investment in a skilled and reliable workforce. Russell Young, service manager at Windish RV’s Lakewood location, said the new training program is already showing results.
“The RVTI technician training program implemented at EPIC helps Windish RV by providing students who are well-trained with not only the basic skills of RV repair but also how to engage with people,” said Young.
“It’s super exciting to have them come and apply for tech positions. These young students look you in the eye while speaking, they listen, they are polite, and they are extremely excited for their future,” Young added.
The Open House also served as a networking platform between students and industry leaders. Local RV suppliers, manufacturers, and dealers showcased their equipment and services, offering students insight into the industry’s technology and career opportunities.
Discussions about internships and apprenticeships gave students a clearer path from classroom learning to hands-on experience.
Companies including Windish RV, TOURIG, and VanWorks exhibited popular RV models, giving students a firsthand look at modern RV construction. Grand Design RV strengthened its support by donating an RV unit to EPIC for ongoing student training.
RVTI acknowledged supplier participation as essential to the event’s success, highlighting companies such as Thetford/Norcold, Aqua-Hot, Trek Systems, Dometic Go Power!, Dragonfly Energy, Carefree of Colorado, Lippert, MTI Industries, Harvest Host, TOURIG, VanWorks, Garnet Instruments, and Windish RV.
The partnership between RVTI and Littleton Public Schools is expected to serve as a “model” for similar collaborations nationwide. The pilot group of students completed preliminary training earlier this year, with full classes set to begin in January 2026.
Marc Finer, construction trades pathway Lead at EPIC Campus, said the program complements existing trades and expands career options for students.
“We have a large sector of RV dealers in Colorado, especially in the metro area. I never even knew it was a career path until we were approached, and now we see that it really ties into our construction trades pathway,” said Finer.
“RVs have HVAC, carpentry, and all of the different systems. Our students are looking at it as a great career path where they’re not doing just one thing. They’re really excited when they learn that every day there will be something different,” Finer added.
He added that achieving RVTI’s Level 1 certification puts students in a strong position to pursue Level 2 training and secure employment in the RV industry.
“It’s also an advantage to the employer because these students already have insight into an RV technician’s responsibilities,” said Finer.
“They’ve already spent a semester taking this class and maybe even completed an internship with one of the dealers. As a result, the employer knows these students are more likely to commit to the RV technician path,” Finer added.