Training
It's not easy to make the cut here at Thermal Services, but those that do, undergo
years of rigorous in-house training, as well as intense hands-on field experience.
We also assign new recruits to an apprenticeship with our more experienced technicians
for even more one-on-one training. Our continuing education programs keep all of
our technicians on the leading edge of technology and industry developments. In
fact, Thermal Services is the only heating and air conditioning company in the area
that offers a full-time on staff Educational and Safety Manager and dedicated on-site
training facility.
Thermal Services educator Tim Dreager breaks down different training aspects in
the following areas:
Service Applications Class
All maintenance technicians with the residential service department go through approximately
192 hours of classroom training and 448 hours of on-the-job training with a senior
technician during a 16-week period. This initial training begins after they have
served in the installation apprentice role for approximately 1 year. This experience
offers them a basis upon which to build their career as a Thermal Services technician.
"New" Product Training
Every technician is trained on all "new" technologies before they are asked to service
them. Once the decision is made that the product will be offered the research and
setup process begins. Each piece of equipment is researched and setup in-house and
a training program developed before we install or service it. This process flows
through the sales and purchasing departments. The final product is a training program
to address both the installation department and service departments’ knowledge of
the equipment. This in-depth training ensures our customers receive the most knowledgeable
support available in commercial/residential heating and cooling technology.
Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training –Sheet Metal & Pipefitting Training
Thermal Services, Inc. currently has ongoing apprenticeship training in the areas
of Sheet Metal and Pipefitting. A Thermal Services instructor who has been certified
by the National Center for Construction Education and Research is teaching this
curriculum. We are proud to be associated with our Accredited Training Sponsor the
Cornhusker Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. This apprenticeship program
is accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research, and
approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.
The apprenticeship program helps workers learn the new specialized skills needed
in today’s workforce by combining on-the-job training with invaluable classroom
instruction. The program gives apprentices a competitive edge in the current global
economy.
The apprenticeship programs of Sheet Metal and Pipefitting that are currently being
taught at Thermal Services include the following:
- An approach that requires apprentices to complete 144 hours of RTI (required technical
instruction) as well as demonstrate competency during 2000 of OJT (on-the-job training)
in the assigned tasks for each of the fours year of instruction
- Each of the apprentices works in the field under supervision of a licensed journeyman
an average of 40+ hours per week.
- The successful completion of every module must be demonstrated by specific results
on the following tests:
- Test No. 1: Achieve a score of 70 percent or higher on the closed-book written test.
- Test No. 2: Successfully complete the module performance test to the satisfaction
of the instructor. Pass/Fail test.
The benefits to the end consumer are many. Having skilled competent technicians
providing a service to the consumer is of the utmost importance to Thermal Services.
In addition to this, the following items are products of comprehensive skills training:
- Well-trained workers are more capable of identifying potential problems and making
innovative, cost reducing solutions.
- In today’s highly competitive markets, clients demand increased project quality.
Only those contractors with trained and skilled workers capable of meeting that
demand will succeed.
- Contractors who train have the competitive advantage and can provide the highest
quality workforce to the customer
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