Q: How did you hear about Okanagan College鈥檚 program?
A: I attended a Career Fair and learned about the entry-level foundation program.
Q: Why did you want to pursue this career?
A: I own a campground and wanted to learn more about trailers to expand my knowledge and business opportunities.
Q: Do you have a favourite learning experience or project while taking the program?
A: I really liked the electric, plumbing and appliance lessons. It was a practical knowledge and I enjoyed the 2 week industry work placement in a working shop.
Q: As a student in this program, what advice do you have for other students who are considering this training?
A: Focus on studying and do lots of practice.
Q: What are some of the most beneficial things you learned in the program that has helped you during the industry work placement?
A: I felt like everything I learned in this program was helpful to starting a career in the RV service industry.
Q: What has been a big learning curve for you in the program?
A: For me, it wasn鈥檛 the course curriculum but having English as my second language.
Q: What has been a big learning curve for you during the work placement?
A: Learning how to make caulking professional. Caulking is used to fill the gaps between two different or similar materials which is used a lot for sealing RVs.
Q: Walk us through your average day during the work placement.
A: I started at 8 a.m. and was at the shop until 5 p.m. Some of the tasks I completed during the work placement was resealing, caulking and plumbing. I used tools like a riveting tool, caulking gun, putty knife and so on.
Q: What were you most surprised to learn during the work placement that you didn鈥檛 learn while training on campus?
A: During the work placement, I learned a lot more about exterior body repair.
Q: Share a highlight from your experience during the work placement.
A: I liked when I got to rebuild a water line and reseal a big roof.
Q: Why do you feel work placements are important for learning the trade?
A: It鈥檚 important because you get more communication with local shop and get to start networking with a shop you may be interested in working in. It鈥�s easy to look at job descriptions online but it鈥�s different when you get to actual be in those shops trying it out.
Q: What are your future career goals?
A: My career goal is to open a small repair shop in my campground.
Q: Would you recommend Okanagan College鈥檚 foundation program to others?
A: Yes, I would recommend this program because it is truly entry-level training for the RV service industry. This program will save you more time and give you more knowledge before trying to work in this industry.
Q: In your opinion, which skills taught in the foundation program are the most important for starting out in the industry?
A: In the foundation program the student is taught about the proper tools and procedures to get them started within the industry. They have the chance to get a taste of what it will be like working in and around these RVs-Byron Scott, work placement employer, Courtenay RV Specialists
RV Service Technician Foundation
Learn the necessary skills to become an apprentice RV Service Technician. Take practical hands-on classes in the use of proper tools, systems and safety-related activities as they pertain to the maintenance of recreation vehicles. Students will participate in a work placement, that will introduce students to real workplace environments, as well as provide perspectives to industry standards and expectations.
Okanagan College offers the only entry-level Recreation Vehicle Service Technician Foundation program in Canada.