The Second Chance educational partnership set to launch in Texas, bringing together the Windham School District and Ron Hoover RV and Marine Centers to expand opportunities for certified RV technicians while addressing workforce needs in the industry.
The program builds on Windham’s 2021 introduction of the RVTI’s Level 1 technician training program, which provides incarcerated individuals in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice with vocational skills they can apply after release.
Participants who complete the Level 1 program will now have a direct pathway to employment at Ron Hoover RV and Marine Centers.
Ron Hoover RV and Marine Centers, one of the state’s largest RV and marine dealerships, has committed to hiring program graduates and encouraging them to continue their training through the RVTI’s Level 2 and Level 3 courses. The partnership aims to expand the pool of skilled RV technicians while offering individuals reentering society a chance to begin stable careers.
“Since opening our doors in Rockport in 1987, Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers has always believed in the power of new beginnings, and in building strong teams by investing in people and their potential,” Chris Hoover, president of Ron Hoover RV and Marine Centers, said in a News and Insights report of RVIA.
“That philosophy has helped us grow from one location to 21 across Texas and Oklahoma. So, when Windham School District approached us about partnering to give individuals a second chance, we knew it was the right fit,” Hoover added.
Through Windham’s implementation of the RVTI’s Level 1 curriculum, incarcerated students learn essential repair and maintenance skills that align with industry needs. These certifications are recognized by employers across the RV sector, making them valuable credentials for future job seekers.
“Through the Level 1 RV Technical Institute training program provided by Windham School District, participants gain the foundational skills needed to begin a career in the RV industry, and we’re proud to provide a path where they can put those skills to work,” said Thomas Richardson, vice president of parts and service.
Richardson added that Ron Hoover’s investment goes beyond initial hiring. “Just as important, we want to support them in building lasting careers, not just jobs, as they re-enter the workforce with confidence and purpose.”
The partnership emphasizes both workforce development and community reintegration. “Our partnership with Windham School District is about more than filling roles; it’s about changing lives while strengthening the RV industry with motivated, diverse, and skilled talent,” Richardson said.
RVTI views the collaboration as a model that can be replicated nationally. “The partnership between Windham School District and Ron Hoover RV and Marine Centers is an exciting way to help individuals in the correctional system develop new skills through the RV Technical Institute’s Level 1 program and, ultimately, establish a career at Ron Hoover,” said Curt Hemmeler, executive director of RVTI.