A company hardly remains unchanged. While a business’ goals and values keep it on track to reach its targets, the organization’s methods and resources may shift to achieve its full potential. Success often requires a refresh.
RV Technical Institute’s (RVTI) recent rejuvenation involves reassessing its curriculum to update its educational programs. The institute recently met to discuss changes. The evaluation is RVTI’s first curriculum revision since its formation in 2018.
Seven master technicians made up the RVTI Curriculum Committee, which met June 17-21. Participants included Tim Switzer of RV Masters-LA, Keith Marshall of Campers Inn, Tim Burton of Giant RV World, Sean D. Mack of Quality Mobile RV and Steve Roddy, an independent technician and Florida RV Trade Association member.
NOCTI Business Solution’s psychometricians also attended the meeting to collaborate with the curriculum committee to revise certification assessment and curriculum standards. The company supports various industries in creating assessments and certifications. NOCTI Business Solutions has collaborated with RVIA for 25 years as the association’s assessment development and delivery partner. NOCTI Business Solutions worked with the committee to determine aspects such as how many questions are allotted to each content section on tests.
NOCTI Business Solutions Executive Vice President Anne Gielczyk said RVTI has always been “very conscious about making sure that they follow our processes and procedures to make sure that they can truly say that they have a national certification.”
She said the institute’s curriculum review is important to keep training up to date on the latest technologies and best practices.
The first curriculum meeting yielded various changes RVTI expects to implement in 2025.
The institute will create new tests for the first time since its formation. RVTI will produce four different versions to keep students from memorizing the test if they take the test multiple times. RVTI Vice President of Operations and Academics Sharonne Lee said the test variety will “sample (students’) knowledge.”
Lee said the committee concluded that more Level 1 technicians install towing fixtures now than they did before. As a result, RVTI’s revised curriculum will feature more towing education in Level 1 programs.
An RVTI goal is preparing young technicians early in their careers. The curriculum provides students with a solid RV understanding before they accelerate to the next level.
“We have to make sure that they have a standard professional, safety-oriented mindset before they start messing with this stuff,” RVTI Executive Director Curt Hemmeler said. “That is really the premise of RVTI to teach those fundamentals.”
RVTI is currently working with NOCTI Business Solutions to assemble new 2025 learning standards.
Moving Forward
RVTI plans to review its curriculum every three to five years, depending on the industry’s state. Hemmeler said reviewing every three to five years keeps content fresh.
According to Hemmeler, RVTI’s goal upon formation “was to create a curriculum that could be updated using a learning management system…We could keep it fresh so that the technicians are fresh.”
Hemmeler said many changes in future curriculum reviews will likely affect Level 3 Specialty Training content. According to Hemmeler, with solid RV fundamental understandings, Level 3 technicians are equipped to handle new industry developments. Therefore, the institute will integrate the industry’s latest changes and developments into this section.
The institute’s curriculum meeting in June opened a door to refreshed learning and instruction.
