APR Supply Co Editorial Vol. 1 Back to School - Continued Education in the Trades

How Keeping Up with Technology and Changes Can Benefit You and Your Business

By- Justin Snyder

In today's rapidly evolving world, continuing to learn is crucial in every field, including the trades. With new technologies, techniques, and regulations emerging, it is essential to keep up with the latest developments to remain competitive and provide the best service possible to customers.

Moreover, as the global economy becomes increasingly interconnected, the demand for highly skilled workers continues to rise. By pursuing ongoing education and training in the trades, individuals can expand their knowledge and skill sets, making themselves more marketable and employable.

“Let’s face it, new things are coming out and technology is getting stronger and better,” said Scott Zeigler, APR Supply Co Regional Sales Leader and a former fourth generation plumber. “The days of just showing up at a customer’s house and being able to say ‘This is what’s wrong’ are kind of gone to a certain point. You’ve really got to keep up with the changes and the best way to do that is to always be learning.”

Continuing education can also provide opportunities for advancement within the trades. By developing new skills, workers can take on more complex and challenging projects, leading to increased responsibilities and higher pay.

“Learning the new technology and getting better as a contractor really can open up doors in regard to listening to your customers and truly being able to understand their needs,” said Zeigler. “Now instead of just fixing their problem, maybe you can offer up something different, new, or unique that will save them time and money. This is how you build relationships and trust with the customer for years to come.”

Ultimately, investing in continuing education is an investment in one's future. It can open new doors, enhance career prospects, and improve the overall quality of life. Therefore, whether you are just starting out in the trades or are a seasoned professional, it is crucial to make learning a lifelong habit.

“You can never have too much knowledge and there’s always room for improvement,” said Zeigler. “Whether you’re a contractor, technician, or an owner, you should be taking the time and opportunity to grow yourself and your business whenever you can. Your customers will thank you if you put the work in.”

As a company that prides ourselves in providing the most exceptional services for our customers, we offer a multitude of amenities that can help further educate and aid in most any scenario. This includes technical service advisors (TSA) specializing in HVAC, plumbing, controls and more providing technical support from start to finish of jobs. We also offer certified technician training through many of our vendor partners, with a training schedule that is updated weekly online. Classes are held at various locations throughout our Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware footprint and include our Altoona, PA training center.

Mark Elmer, APR Supply Co. TSA and Training Manager, noted evolution in refrigerant, regulatory changes, and technology as three of the biggest items currently on the minds of HVAC technicians.

“The equipment is always changing from a general standpoint, but we’re also seeing a lot of changes that are really big items for today’s tech,” said Elmer. “They’ve introduced a new refrigerant, which has been essentially the same for the past 100 years, so obviously there are new concerns and changes when you’re making a move like that.”

“And technology is moving faster and faster in terms of change. One of the biggest things I’m seeing is the evolution of thermostats. These tools have pretty much served as glorified light switches since they were introduced decades ago, and now they’re being controlled by sensors, computer chips, and smart phones. For some, these changes are completely different then what they’ve always known, so continued learning must stay forefront.”

He added that APR Supply Co’s training courses are great for both ends of the spectrum when it comes to technicians. Whether you are a veteran technician, or fresh out of trade school, there’s something for everybody when it comes to learning.

“While we are talking about evolution of technology and changing of our ways, learning and training are not just for the technicians who have been around forever,” said Elmer. “It’s amazing how many of the younger techs still need education on the basics when out in the field. There is so much about this field that you can learn from, and I think we offer some of the best trainings to allow our customers to succeed.”

For more information regarding continued education and training offered via APR Supply Co, visit www.aprsupply.com/education