training

Oatey Co. remains committed to supporting, advancing and retaining its operations associates through world-class, on-the-job training, as well as educational opportunities.

In 2016, Oatey launched its first-ever Industrial Maintenance Apprenticeship Program, designed to promote the advancement of operations associates into higher-skilled positions that are more aligned with their long-term career goals. It also leverages additional career-development opportunities for the company’s more experienced associates, allowing them to hone their leadership, training and mentoring skills, while working with a diverse group of apprentices.

Oatey’s registered apprenticeship program, which is based at its Cleveland Manufacturing facility and led by Maintenance Supervisor Ruben Santos, is sponsored by Manufacturing Works and regulated through the State of Ohio. As the sponsor, Manufacturing Works helps manage the program and provides Oatey with continuous expert guidance about how to offer the most cutting-edge resources for associates.

“Since its inception, the program has received a tremendous response, and associate participation continues to grow,” says Santos.

To date, the program has included three groups (or cohorts), including a total of six registered apprentices. Every other year, Oatey anticipates adding a new cohort to the program roster. “We continue to maintain 100% retention of associates who participate in the apprenticeship program,” Santos explains.

Oatey’s inaugural group of two apprentices successfully completed all of the program’s training requirements in 2020, and two deserving individuals earned the title of Journeyman. After graduating from the program, these individuals have gone on to advance their careers.

“Our Journeymen continue to embody the spirit of Oatey and set a positive example for fellow associates,” says Santos. There are currently two active cohorts with four apprentices making their way through the program. All current apprentices are from underrepresented groups (Hispanic and African American). Oatey also recently welcomed its first female apprentice, who will graduate as part of the third cohort. Oatey’s commitment to small cohorts ensures personal attention to the apprentices’ development.

When the need for new apprentices is determined, positions are opened and the application, recruiting and selection process begins. The four-year program welcomes applications from any active operations associate in good standing, including those at Cleveland Manufacturing and Distribution facilities; however, the selection process for admission is rigorous. Applicants must display a strong work ethic, reliable attendance record, commitment to Oatey, and passion for skilled technical work.

Prior to acceptance, new candidates for apprenticeship must provide evidence of earning their high school diploma or GED, and complete a Mechanical Aptitude Test and a college admissions placement exam to ensure successful completion of the program.

The Industrial Maintenance Apprenticeship is a hybrid program that offers both in-classroom instruction with college credit and on-the-job training (OJT). Oatey partners closely with Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) to deliver a robust, specialized curriculum to complement the OJT that takes place at the Oatey facility. Every apprentice must complete up to 10,000 hours of OJT.

Visit Oatey.com to learn more about career opportunities at Oatey Co.

The top training and business coaching provider for the contracting industry connects dealers with innovative online Equipment Exchange

Business Development Resources (BDR), the training and business coaching authority for home services industry professionals, announces the launch of a unique online resource to help HVACR dealers work together to ensure they are properly equipped for new 2023 efficiency standards.

BDR’s Equipment Exchange allows individual dealers to connect online and arrange transfers of equipment impacted by a range of changing local, state and federal energy regulations set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2023.

“With the unprecedented number of new standards starting at the beginning of 2023, dealers may find some of their inventory is outdated overnight,” said Bruce Wiseman, president and owner of BDR. “BDR’s new online Equipment Exchange network allows individual dealers to post their available equipment, see listed products, and negotiate agreements so everyone has the equipment they need to serve their customers.”

The Equipment Exchange is a free service for dealers directly affected by rapidly changing energy standards and is intended for limited exchanges. BDR is not involved in any transactions and recommends dealers always contact their distributor partner first for their product needs.

“The goal of our Equipment Exchange is the overall benefit of our industry during a period of enormous potential disruption,” Wiseman said. “Without a program like this, dealers could be stuck with equipment they can’t use, forcing them to absorb significant losses or pass them on to contractors and their customers. BDR remains committed to the distributors who are an essential part of this industry.”

For more information about BDR’s Equipment Exchange, visit https://www.bdrco.com/exchange/.

The premier training provider for the service industry equips HVACR instructors and apprentices across the U.S. with the top tech-enablement platform

XOi Technologies, a leading provider of technician-focused technology solutions, and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada (UA) announce a partnership that delivers XOi’s innovative AI-based tech-enablement solution to HVACR instructors and registered service apprentices across the United States.

The UA and XOi announce a partnership that equips HVACR instructors and apprentices across the U.S. with the top tech-enablement platform.

“XOi combines many critical functions for UA instructors and apprentices and other field professionals in a single platform,” said UA training specialist Robert Vilches. “In addition to its streamlined workflows and best-in-class data indexing and analytics, XOi keeps UA apprentices and instructors connected in the field and provides instructors with unrivaled insight into how students perform on the job. And XOi’s first-to-market virtual mentor support extends training from the classroom to the jobsite, so apprentices can continue to learn while they’re in the field.”

XOi’s deep data cataloging capabilities, advanced AI-driven analytics, and intuitive remote support options enhance the value of UA’s training programs, giving the organization resources to help contractors close the skilled labor gap.

“This partnership is an opportunity to maximize the UA’s proven training programs and to strategically extend XOi’s position as a top innovator in the industry,” said Aaron Salow, founder and CEO of XOi. “By equipping their apprentices and instructors with our powerful solutions, the UA is empowering the next generation of skilled labor talent with in-depth, hands-on education that will help contractors face the continuing labor shortage in the service industry.”

XOi’s advanced cloud-based solution allows field service technicians to utilize, aggregate and analyze critical job data and maximize customer value through industry-leading efficiency, accuracy and accountability. With a full suite of standardized workflows, job documentation capabilities, and technician training and enablement solutions, teams can build deep and easily accessible institutional knowledge bases that support real-time decision-making and data-based continuity. Service teams can apply these extensive data-science capabilities to analyze those foundational elements and strategically respond to evolving data trends and forecasts.

The UA represents 355,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, service technicians and welders across North America. The UA offers the premier training programs available in the industry today, including five-year apprenticeship programs, extensive journeyman training, a comprehensive five-year instructor training program, and numerous certification programs. The UA helps signatory contractors grow their market share by identifying new opportunities, providing support, and connecting them to the safest, skilled, and most highly trained workforce in the industry.

For more information about XOi, visit https://xoi.io.

For more information about UA, visit https://ua.org.

LG’s ‘On Demand’ Library and Distance Learning Opportunities Reinforce Company’s Commitment to Industry-Wide Education

LG Air Conditioning Technologies has extended its LG Connections Virtual Speaker Series. This dynamic series of monthly webinars provide architects, contractors, engineers, and professionals with ongoing education opportunities, product and innovation updates, design and service tools, and industry insights.

The series explores various topics focused on profitable strategies for enhanced building design and performance, comfort, and control while offering participants the opportunity to connect with LG’s team of experts. LG Connections webinars are presented on the last Wednesday of each month at noon EDT and include a 45-minute presentation followed by 15 minutes of Q&A. Additionally, the company offers an On Demand Library for access to a range of content and speaker presentations, which is available here.

“LG remains steadfast in our commitment to the training and advancement of architects, engineers, contractors, building owners – anyone in the project chain,” said Steve Scarbrough, senior vice president and head of LG Air Conditioning Technologies USA. “What was first launched during the height of the pandemic as a remote learning resource has evolved into an ongoing educational opportunity for the AEC (architects, engineers and consultants) community. This extended LG Connections webinar series is another tool within our comprehensive education arsenal that gives learners nationwide the ingredients to understand and apply new air conditioning technologies to an array of projects – from residential to commercial.”

Since late 2019, LG has significantly enhanced its educational resources for project professionals, with distance learning being a key component of its overall training strategy. As a result, according to Scarbrough, webinar participants can expect to receive inspiring content and tools for differentiation that they can leverage now and during the economic recovery.

Details for upcoming webinars (12 noon – 1:00 PM EDT):

• Wednesday, July 27 – Designing HVAC Systems with LATS Revit
• Wednesday, August 31 – A Closer Look at the LG Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller

LG invites design and construction professionals to mark their calendars on the last Wednesday of every month at noon EDT for the LG Connections Virtual Speaker Series. Upcoming Connections webinars and registration links are shared regularly on the company’s LinkedIn. For more information about LG Air Conditioning Technologies, visit lghvac.com.