NATDA Looks at RVTI Partnership for Trailer Technician Development
Program
NATDA is pleased to announce that advanced negotiations have begun with multiple
third-party services, including RV Technical Institute (RVTI), to better supply trailer
technicians with increased theoretical and mechanical knowledge of trailer servicing.
As trailer dealerships have evolved over the years, so too has the needs of their
technicians. From understanding the basics of chassis framework to the more nuanced
components of electrical work, a competent, well-trained technician does not only bring
increased value to his or her dealership but to themselves as well. As the industry
continues to more forward, additional offerings within the service department will
create new revenue streams for dealerships across the country.
“Trailer dealerships no longer have the luxury of remaining the middleman between
manufacturers and consumers. Service departments have not only become increasingly
profitable part of the industry, but a necessity in the daily operational status of dealerships
in the industry,” says Andy Ackerman, NATDA President and Founder.
While the association has dipped into providing technical training at its annual NATDA
Trade Show before, its refocused desire to reach every aspect of the trailer dealership
in recent years led it to conversations with RVTI in recent months. After intensive
research into RV data, RVTI found unprecedented challenges within its own industry,
including severely delayed cycle times and a largely untrained workforce. Now
renowned for its incredibly detailed subject matter, RVTI has taken the lead in solving
the RV industry’s shortage of trained technicians and implementing metrics to track the
RV customer experience.
“While RVTI has been focused on RVs, there is a lot of crossover when it comes to the
material covered in their courses that can be applied to trailer dealerships,” says Jesse
Battle, NATDA Executive Director. “With their course load as the framework, we can,
together, create a detailed educational outline specific to trailer technicians.”
While these negotiations have yet to be finalized, both NATDA and RVTI firmly believe
that a training program specifically for trailer technicians can be developed. Additionally,
technicians can enroll in the rest of the RVTI certification program, thereby creating a
more cohesive pathway to profitability for themselves and their dealership.
“This program, another expansion of our NATDA Dealership Performance Training, is
to create a method to develop highly trained technicians in our industry,” says Battle.
“Our collaboration with RVTI will not only help accomplish this but create added
benefits for the entire trailer workforce.”
The new program, combined with additional technical certifications at the NATDA
Trade Show, is yet another NATDA Dealership Performance Training option for dealers
to consider when widening the breadth of offerings within their dealership.
www.natda.org
NATDA Magazine
19