For many of us, the beginning of a new year is a time for self-reflection and setting goals. According to Forbes, “improve finances” was the second-most popular goal for 2024. Does that sound familiar?
If so, maybe it’s time to consider a new career and a new skill set with the RV Technical Institute. We spoke with Curtis Hemmeler, Executive Director of the RV Technical Institute, about starting a new career with RVTI courses.
Truma: For our friends outside the RV industry, what is the RV Technical Institute?
Curtis Hemmeler: The RV Technical Institute evolved from the RVDA training program. We focus on providing professional, standardized training for all RV service technicians. That means if you go to an RV service center and they say they are RVTI Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4 certified, you can expect the same level of competency across the countryin.
Truma: Why should someone looking to switch careers consider becoming an RV service technician?
Hemmeler: Pure supply and demand. There are 12 million registered RVs in the United States, but only around 5,100 RVTI-certified technicians are there. With so many people buying their first RV in the last three years, the need for qualified techs has skyrocketed.
Truma: Do you foresee that being the case in the future, with the slower RV market we’re seeing right now?
Hemmeler: Even though sales are softer than usual, the numbers show that service has not slowed down. It has increased. And because of that growing demand, the field’s starting salaries are incredibly competitive.
Truma: What if someone has never touched an RV before? Can they still enroll in RVTI courses?
Hemmeler: Absolutely. We created the curriculum to start with someone who doesn’t know the difference between a Phillips and a flathead screwdriver. RV knowledge is helpful, but it isn’t required. We will teach you what you need to know.
Truma: Assuming everyone starts at Level 1, what does the path through RVTI certification look like?
Hemmeler: Yes, everyone starts with our Level 1 Inspector course. Over 40 hours, we will teach you how to inspect the seven central systems of an RV: propane, electrical, plumbing, appliances, body, generator, and chassis. By the time you complete this course, you should be able to inspect any RV for defects in those main areas.
If you choose to continue to Level 2, you will expand on the knowledge from Level 1. Level 2 is all about diagnosing and repairing those seven RV systems.
Level 3 is a five-year Specialty certification offered for Electrical, Chassis, Electronics, Appliance, and Slideout components. We have worked with OEM suppliers to develop 24-hour training programs for their specific products. For example, Truma offers training for the AquaGo, Aventa, Combi, and VarioHeat systems that qualify as hours toward Appliance Specialist certification or as continuing education credits
Level 4 is our Master Tech level for those individuals who have completed Level 1, Level 2, and all five Level 3 specialty courses.
Truma: Once a technician has their certification, how often must it be renewed?
Hemmeler: A Level 1 certification is for life. Levels 2, 3, and 4 renew on a five-year basis. To maintain those upper-level certifications, technicians must complete at least 24 hours of continuing education courses over those five years.
Truma: Once a technician is certified and ready to work, what can they expect?
Hemmeler: One of my favorite things about the RV industry is that the work is so flexible that this answer could be different for every student. You can set your path based on your personal goals. Do you want a structured environment like you’d find at a dealership or the flexibility of working independently? You have either option. And with the seven different RV systems you will be working on, you will be doing something different every day.