At the Taco Comfort Solutions booth at this year’s AHR Expo, the company had a new twist—a virtual reality (VR) demo and a glimpse into the future of training. Mechanical Hub caught up with Dave Holdorf, Product & Application Instructor – East for Taco. Here is what Dave had to say: With the success of Read more
training
At the Taco Comfort Solutions booth at this year’s AHR Expo, the company had a new twist—a virtual reality (VR) demo and a glimpse into the future of training. Mechanical Hub caught up with Dave Holdorf, Product & Application Instructor – East for Taco. Here is what Dave had to say:
With the success of the Taco training department in the residential and commercial realms, as well as our webinar series of Taco Tuesday and Taco After Dark, what could be next? We have asked customers over the years what can we do to make the training experience better? The number one answer has always been more hands on. I would then ask, “how do we do that, you mean like installing a circulator and zone valves, joining pipe and flanges and tightening bolts … you mean like work on a jobsite you were at earlier in the week?” VR gives us that ability now—building a system, repairing the seals and bearing in a split case commercial pump, things like that.
Imagine maintenance on that split case pump is coming up and you have never, ever taken one apart much less seen one in the wild, but it‘s now your responsibility to do the repair in an effective and allowable timeframe. What are the proper steps … is there a YouTube video you can watch the night before … so much pressure to get the job done right.
Now imagine a call to us and we can meet you in the “mechanical room” with that very pump in front of us. We’re standing right next to each other virtually, but you’re in Walla Walla, Washington and we‘re in Cranston, R.I. rebuilding it with you—greatly improving your confidence level, and ready for the next day. With this capability, you know the sequence, you know the names of the parts, what to look for and what not to do.
In the end, attendees of the show were surprised, but not too much. I mean, the training department has been up to so much over the last decade bringing content online and in person that it wasn’t surprising that Taco would try to increase out reach even further.
Of course, we’re just scratching the surface of where we can go with this!
The business development, training and implementation organization for the service business industry will offer its members access to the home service distributor’s extensive supply chain of products and solutions CEO Warrior, a nationally recognized business development, training and implementation organization for the service business industry, announced today that it has entered into a collaboration with Ferguson Read more
The business development, training and implementation organization for the service business industry will offer its members access to the home service distributor’s extensive supply chain of products and solutions
CEO Warrior, a nationally recognized business development, training and implementation organization for the service business industry, announced today that it has entered into a collaboration with Ferguson , a project success company providing expertise, solutions and products from infrastructure, plumbing and appliances to HVAC, fire, fabrication and more, to provide its members with preferred access to the home service fulfillment giant.
“This collaboration with Ferguson shows CEO Warrior’s commitment to add value to the services we provide our members,” CEO Warrior CEO Scott Bohannon said. “It is our goal to offer our clients everything they need to be successful in their markets. Not only does CEO Warrior offer a full complement of training and mentoring solutions that help our members lead, grow and scale their services, we can now also offer them access to some of the finest products available in Ferguson’s supply chain.”
Founded in 1953, Ferguson is a leading value-added distributor of residential and commercial plumbing supplies and pipe, valves and fittings in the U.S. The company has 10 distribution centers offering clients rapid inventory access with the convenience of Pro Pick-Up services in as little as one hour, same-day or next-day delivery options.
“I am incredibly excited about the relationship between CEO Warrior LLC and Ferguson,” said CEO Warrior Director of Business Development Caroline Moriarty. “This collaboration enables us to deliver greater value to our clients and reinforces our commitment to continued growth and high standards of quality products and services.”
CEO Warrior is the highest level business training and implementation organization in the trades industry. It is led by experts who have achieved success building and leading their own trades businesses and its members include the leaders of home service companies that provide plumbing, HVAC and other residential and commercial service companies.
For more information about CEO Warrior and how to become a member, please visit https://ceowarrior.com/.
Tacoma plumbing service provider advocates transformational thinking about trades while building next-generation workforce with immersive Harts Academy initiative Harts Services, a top-rated Tacoma-based plumbing company founded in 2013, urges jobseekers to consider the many rewarding, high-paying career opportunities available in the essential skilled trades. “Whether you’re just entering the workforce or you’re frustrated in your Read more
Tacoma plumbing service provider advocates transformational thinking about trades while building next-generation workforce with immersive Harts Academy initiative
Harts Services, a top-rated Tacoma-based plumbing company founded in 2013, urges jobseekers to consider the many rewarding, high-paying career opportunities available in the essential skilled trades.
“Whether you’re just entering the workforce or you’re frustrated in your current job and want to make a mid-career change, we encourage everyone to think about the trades as a meaningful alternative to the traditional career path,” said Rich Hart, co-owner of Harts Services. “Many of us have been taught that attending a four-year college is the only way to have a successful and satisfying career. But we’re starting to see that college doesn’t necessarily pay off for everyone. That’s leading a lot of young people to look for other options.”
Harts Services, a top-rated Tacoma-based plumbing company, supports jobseekers considering a rewarding, high-paying career in the essential skilled trades with its innovative Harts Academy in-house training program.
As the cost of a college education continues to rise, the long-term financial value of a four-year degree is steadily declining. At the same time, an ongoing shortage of skilled labor is driving up demand for trained workers in home service industries such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Experienced technicians in those fields are highly employable and can demand premium salaries as well as signing bonuses, paid training and opportunities for rapid advancement.
“Instead of treating trades as a fallback, we want people entering the trades to be energetic and enthusiastic,” Hart said. “Being a plumber or electrician requires training, focus, problem-solving and people skills, just like any other profession. It’s a dynamic and engaging field with a lot of upside, especially in today’s labor market.”
In 2022, Harts Services launched Harts Academy, an innovative in-house apprenticeship program that prepares motivated trainees for immediate employment.
The Harts Academy program includes four weeks of comprehensive classroom education and immersive hands-on experience in the Harts Academy plumbing platform. Classroom sessions are followed by two to three years of supervised field training with licensed plumbers, with pay raises to match experience, testing and skill level. Harts Academy also provides preparation assistance for the plumber licensing exam.
“We created Harts Academy to help meet the needs of our industry overall and transform how younger generations think about the trades,” Hart said. “We’re investing in the creation of a truly trained and expert team not only here at Harts but throughout the Pacific Northwest. It’s part of a major disruption that we expect to unlock new opportunities for young people, drive economic growth and ensure that homeowners have access to the services they need.”
Harts Academy apprentices support plumbing leads in the warehouse and on jobsites while actively learning core skills. A valid driver’s license and clean driving record are required. Apprentices must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and are expected to work in crawlspaces, operate machinery, climb ladders and stairs, and other physical work in the warehouse and on jobsites.
For more information about Harts Services, please call (253) 470-8766 or visit www.hartsservices.com.
For more information about Harts Academy or to apply, visit https://hartsservices.com/academy-apprentice-program/.
The premier business training and coaching provider for the HVAC industry announces the return of the ongoing development program for distribution, designed to enhance territory sales and strategic growth Business Development Resources (BDR), the training and business coaching authority for home services industry professionals, announces its 2024 program for Trailblazer Sales Academy, an ongoing online training program Read more
The premier business training and coaching provider for the HVAC industry announces the return of the ongoing development program for distribution, designed to enhance territory sales and strategic growth
Business Development Resources (BDR), the training and business coaching authority for home services industry professionals, announces its 2024 program for Trailblazer Sales Academy, an ongoing online training program for territory managers and distribution sales team members that focuses on developing sales skills, leadership agility and a strategic vision for territory growth.
Business Development Resources (BDR) announces its 2024 program for Trailblazer Sales Academy, an ongoing online training program for territory managers and distribution sales team members that focuses on developing sales skills, leadership agility and a strategic vision for territory growth.
Trailblazer Sales Academy features four live virtual workshops from January through May to help participants start the 2024 year strong in essential areas for HVAC territory managers and outside sales representatives. These four-hour training sessions provide participants with the opportunity to learn the best practices of top-performing territory managers, with topics including:
- Jan. 4: Drive sales and help dealers win in the first quarter
- Feb. 13: Build your strategic sales call process
- April 2: Find the right dealer through targeted prospecting
- May 23: Help dealers install more jobs through labor leverage
“Trailblazer Sales Academy is an opportunity for territory managers to forge a sales path and reap the rewards of their dream territory,” said Sr. Vice President of Training and Marketing Matt MacArthur. “The program empowers members to enhance their business acumen and build a plan while developing their skills in key areas. At the end of the training, participants can implement new processes to drive immediate growth and long-term strategies for taking ownership of their sales areas.”
The academy also includes targeted podcasts and self-paced courses to help participants continue to develop their skills and make the most of the program.
Membership in Trailblazer Sales Academy is limited to just 50 participants in 2024. Discover more and register at https://www.bdrco.com/trailblazer-academy/.
Relaunched training programs include guidance on new residential and commercial heat pump equipment, electrification and low-GWP refrigerants Course fees have been reduced, and in-person and remote options expand access for contractors New, immersive online training programs now available for new contractor certification Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, announces the Read more
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Relaunched training programs include guidance on new residential and commercial heat pump equipment, electrification and low-GWP refrigerants
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Course fees have been reduced, and in-person and remote options expand access for contractors
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New, immersive online training programs now available for new contractor certification
Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, announces the launch of its new 2024 Ducted Systems Academy training opportunities and industry resources. The industry-leading programs feature a combination of hands-on experiences, virtual resources, and on-demand and in-person courses at the state-of-the art Ducted Systems Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. All resources are developed by experienced industry experts and designed to help residential and commercial contractors build knowledge on important topics including new residential and commercial heat pump equipment, electrification and low-global warming potential (low-GWP) refrigerants.
“Our industry is in a state of rapid transformation with several major regulations going into effect, and contractors need up-to-date information to meet these evolving demands,” said Christyn Mueller, manager of commercial learning, Johnson Controls. “Our goal has always been to serve the industry as a resource. We’ve designed our newest training programs for the year ahead to focus on accessibility and affordability so more contractors can get the information they need to be successful and better serve their customers.”
Relaunched in-person training center
Fast advancements in technology and evolving regulations have created a need for contractors to build on their existing knowledge. The Johnson Controls Ducted Systems Academy provides an opportunity for contractors to gain hands-on experience with new equipment, including the latest commercial and residential heat pumps and low-GWP refrigerant systems. The 2024 program offers 40 courses that range from commercial start-up and commissioning to product essentials and customer service training.
To make these programs more widely accessible, Johnson Controls has reduced course fees and is offering train-the-trainer options for some residential technical courses to enable a single contractor to complete the in-person training and recreate the experience at their own location. Additionally, tuition offset programs are available based on partnership program levels.
“We have a trade that demands correct answers the first time,” said Stephen Love, technical service manager, Johnstone Supply. “The partnership between Johnson Controls and Johnstone Supply allows us the ability to have great technical training resources. In turn, it allows our participants to learn, practice, and perfect their trade at the Johnson Controls Ducted Systems Academy.”
One-Minute Expert program
Available within the Ducted Systems Solutions App, One-Minute Expert is a group of tools that provides instant access to quick reference guides, approximately 100 videos and customer-facing resources on one easy-to-use platform. The program is free and designed to provide valuable insights on important topics such as low-GWP refrigerants, new equipment installation, electrification, and heat pump knowledge – all within a new, time-saving format. New resources are being added monthly.
Tech Foundry courses
In response to the industry’s workforce development needs, Johnson Controls has relaunched its proven Tech Foundry, an immersive residential and commercial contractor training program in a hybrid format designed to fit within busy schedules. The 10-week course integrates remote and live learning with mentor support and peer interaction to review topics such as: refrigeration systems and compressors, tubing and piping, ventilation systems, and heating and cooling loads. A network of local labs is utilized throughout the online session to provide weekly hands-on experiences, and the program culminates with a 3-day hands-on immersion conducted in-person at the Johnson Controls Ducted Systems Academy.
Virtual courses and recertification
For contractors unable to attend in-person trainings, a series of webinars will be introduced in 2024 that include new product introductions, competitive differentiation, sales skills and low-GWP refrigerants. Additionally, virtual recertification options are available to individuals who have previously received in-person startup and commissioning certification.
For more information about the Johnson Controls Ducted Systems Academy and to preview the 2024 course catalog, please visit DuctedSystemsAcademy.com.