RV Technical Institute Training Elevates Technician Growth At Parkview RV Center

The RV Technical Institute’s technician training program is a hands-on, competency-based program designed by Institute staff and subject matter experts from the supplier, manufacturer, dealer, and independent technician realms of the RV industry. It’s the gold standard when it comes to RV technician training, providing the only industry-backed training curriculum and RV technician certification and career path.

Along with offering its training program to individuals interested in becoming an RV technician, the RV Technical Institute also offers training and certification to interested RV dealerships. Most recently, the Institute’s Director of Education, Bill Stewart, led a weeklong technician training session at Parkview RV Center in Smyrna, DE. Each of the dealership’s seven technicians successfully obtained their Level 1 certification at the end of the course.

“This was the first time the RV Technical Institute visited our dealership, and the experience was very uplifting,” says Ryan Horsey, Parkview RV Center’s Vice President of Fixed Operations. “There was so much synergy and excitement.” He adds that the Institute brought the right combination of theory and hands-on experience, which also helped foster students’ enthusiasm for the course.

In Level 1 training, RV technicians learn about and demonstrate their knowledge of the RV’s seven systems: propane, electrical, plumbing, appliances, body, generator, and chassis. A student who successfully completes the training will have a proven skill set to prepare an RV for customer delivery by verifying the operation of all components. By the end of the course, all of the students had increased confidence in their skills and felt excited about using their elevated skills to continue succeeding along the RV technician career path.

Ryan recognizes the advantages of the RV Technical Institute’s curriculum from both a company perspective and a broader industry point of view. “The RV Technical Institute’s curriculum offers a great service for the RV industry as a whole. Parkview is continually striving on a path to excellence that will continue to reduce repair event cycle time that allows our customers to have more positive campfire stories. As a business, we’re aiming to perpetuate our growth. As an industry, we want people to keep taking their RV on the road. We want to go beyond satisfying a customer— we want to excel, and the RV Technical Institute is a big a part of that.”

Along with helping technicians master their RV repair skills and please customers, the RV Technical Institute’s recent visit has also led to a boost in self-confidence around Parkview RV Center. “We’ve noticed an increase in everyone’s confidence after completing this course— they all passed their certification test with flying colors,” Ryan says, adding that there has been a 10% increase in Parkview RV Center’s collective efficiency after certification. “We wanted to keep elevating our technicians. There’s more trust between peers and more streamlined communication with customers now. Everybody is on the same page.”

Going forward, Parkview RV Center plans to enroll its technicians in Level 2 and continue its support of the RV Technical Institute. “Educational programs and the support of the industry are crucial to our dealership,” Ryan continues. “We invest in our employees and the RV Technical Institute is a great complement to our company’s mission and culture. Working with them has been very inspiring and motivating.”