The development of digital technology has undoubtedly brought more innovation and flexibility to the HVACR industry over the last two decades or so. But it has also created a very specific type of problem.
The ever increasing complexity of control devices has significantly altered the fundamentals and the basics of HVAC systems. This, in turn, can make them trickier to maintain and repair.
Training the next generation of repair and maintenance specialists has therefore become a pressing issue for the HVACR industry. Ever more complex digital control systems mean that aspirant engineers are having to
The importance of having trained technicians, capable of repairing all major makes of HVACR unit, has therefore never been greater. A key component in the process of training maintenance and repair technicians is the availability of qualified and experienced HVAC instructors. Only with the right teachers can technicians fully grasp the often bewildering variety of control systems which are now fitted to heating and air conditioning units.
Many in the HVACR industry feel that training technicians requires more funding, though, with many technical colleges across the USA feeling that they lack the resources to train the new generation of maintenance technicians which the sector requires. What the proliferation of new digital technology has shown, though, is that learning the basics of applied thermodynamics and electrical theory is more important than ever.
Only by having a thorough understanding of these basics can an aspiring technician or engineer hope to grasp the workings of more complex systems. New training courses must therefore not neglect the basic ideas in a rush to embrace as many new technologies as possible.
What is key to success in this industry would therefore seem to be a drive to learn and great curiosity. Many manufacturers of heating or ventilation units these days guard the details of their devices with almost jealous glee, trying to compel consumers to user their own specific repair services.
In order to compete with the big manufacturers, an independent maintenance and repair technician needs to have as wide a range of expertise as possible. In this day and age, that means knowing how to use a computer as well as a spanner. Research and planning become even more crucial.
Thankfully, there are many in the industry who can see this, and who work hard to make sure that all trainers and educators are kept up to date. It is clear that the industry is going through a period of change, and those who adapt will be those who thrive.
