The RV technician shortage is no secret. The issue continues to spread across Canada and the U.S.
Organizations such as RV Technical Institute (RVTI) fight for U.S. technician education advancements. Various Canadian schools attract technicians with tailored education courses. Students can begin their path at a university or dealers can send technicians to these programs for certification.
Canada’s offerings include programs in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.
Okanagan College
Okanagan College in British Columbia hosts multiple programs. RVDA of Canada is hosting an upcoming RV Technician Training Seminars event Feb. 18-20 at the college. The courses will cover Thetford/Norcold 12-volt refrigerators, Dometic products and Grand Design systems. Grand Design’s training will feature components education, including brakes, electricity, generators, hydraulic systems, suspension and towing. Participants will receive a certificate of completion for the training session.
Each session includes theory and hands-on training sessions. The sessions run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. To learn more, click here.
The college’s RV Service Technician Foundation course returns in September. The 31-week program focuses on developing practical skills for RV repair. Program graduates receive a Level 1 apprentice program training credit and 550 hours of practical credit from SkilledTradesBC. To learn more about Okanagan’s program, click here.
SAIT College
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) College in Alberta has a program encompassing three years of
training. Each year includes an eight-week-long course and at least 1,600 hours of on-site training. Graduates receive a diploma and journeyperson status from Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) Institute. The course qualifies as a Red Seal Endorsed program. The Red Seal Program sets common standards for Canadian tradespeople. The certification enables tradespeople to work throughout Canada. RV technicians can take the Red Seal exam through the course.
To learn more about the SAIT’s program, click here.
Vancouver Island University
Vancouver Island University in British Columbia offers a three-course RV Service Technician Apprenticeship Program. The program includes three levels, each of which are eight weeks long.
Students learn through hands-on training. Instructors teach students how to identify and resolve various service and maintenance issues. The course also details best practices for consumer communication. To take the course, students must be sponsored by an employer. Vancouver Island University’s course also applies to the Red Seal Endorsement. To learn more about the program, click here.
Fleming College
Fleming College in Ontario has a Motive Power Technician course. The program prepares students to work on RVs, aviation vehicles, marine vehicles and small engines. The curriculum can be completed in four semesters and is taught in a hybrid style—partially online and partially in person.
Learning objectives include analyzing and diagnosing several vehicle issues.
The program applies toward a Red Seal Endorsement.
The next course begins in September at the college’s Sutherland campus in Peterborough, Ontario. To learn more about Fleming’s program, click here.
Canadian dealers have numerous options to grow their technician’s skill sets. RVDA of Canada continues to implement educational classes and workshops to provide further training options.
