Q&A – Starting an Internal Training Program – Short #195

In this short Q&A episode, Bryan answers podcast listener Cooper's question about starting an internal training program. Eugene Silberstein has been on the podcast before to offer his perspective on this topic, which you can listen to HERE.

Bryan recommends a combination approach: instructor-led, hands-on, and self-paced learning, all deployed together. Hands-on learning often gets missed, and we can give inexperienced techs experience with some basic troubleshooting tasks or breaking down and reassembling things. The Socratic method can also be employed here; the instructor can ask their trainees questions instead of the other way around. When the instructor is the one who asks the questions, they allow their trainees to be wrong, learn from their mistakes, and make their own connections to the fundamentals.

Learning plans and curriculums are great for giving trainees a structure, but they need to be reinforced with the hands-on component in this trade. When determining what to teach, try to focus on what's most important in your market—the first area of effectiveness—and then understand how to reinforce it. The continuous growth mindset is also critical; the apprenticeship phase is never truly over, and the instructor needs to be able to improve their program over time without letting the idea of unattainable perfection discourage them from giving their training.

You may also read our tech tip about setting up an internal training program and our recent SkillCat guide if you want to deploy training in your business. The ESCO All Access Subscription Bundle for the HVACR Learning Network is another excellent resource.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Purchase your virtual tickets for the 5th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/Symposium24.

Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.

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#combination approach #hands on #hvac #instructor-led #internal training program #self-paced

Author:

Bryan Orr

Company: HVAC School

Position: Founder

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Our latest Podcast

HVAC School – For Techs, By Techs

Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Mike, a 20-year veteran from DITEK, a leading American manufacturer of surge protection devices based in Largo, Florida. The conversation begins with a brief discussion about recent hurricane impacts in the Tampa Bay area, where DITEK maintains its 65,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. Mike shares how the company, despite facing challenging weather conditions, continued its operations and maintained its commitment to American manufacturing.

The bulk of the discussion centers around surge protection technology and its critical importance in protecting HVAC systems and other electronic equipment. Mike provides an excellent analogy, comparing surge protectors to pressure relief valves for electrical systems. He explains how Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) work as semiconductors that create low impedance paths to ground when voltage exceeds certain thresholds. The conversation delves into the evolution of MOV technology, particularly the development of thermally protected MOVs that provide enhanced safety features.

The episode also addresses common misconceptions about surge protection, particularly the belief that surge protectors are primarily for lightning protection. Mike explains that while lightning strikes are a concern, especially in areas like Florida, approximately 65% of surges actually originate from within facilities themselves, often from equipment cycling on and off or other power quality issues. He emphasizes the importance of proper installation, particularly regarding ground connections and lead lengths, noting that every six inches of wire length can add about 100 volts to the clamping voltage of the device.

Key Topics Covered:

DITEK’s history and commitment to American manufacturing
Basic principles of surge protection and how MOVs work
Evolution of MOV technology and thermal protection features
Difference between transient voltage and temporary overvoltage (TOV)
Importance of proper grounding and lead length in surge protection
Cascading surge protection strategy for comprehensive protection
UL testing standards and voltage protection ratings (VPR)
Common misconceptions about surge protection
Impact of aging electrical infrastructure on power quality
Importance of customer support and ethical business practices
Installation best practices for surge protection devices
Relationship between ground resistance and surge protector performance
Types of surge protective devices (SPD) and their classifications

Learn more about DITEK at https://www.diteksurgeprotection.com/.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.