While RV sales are increasing, the number of proficient, well-trained RV technicians has remained steady or declined across the country. With more and more Americans taking to the road to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, it’s more important than ever for the RV industry to address the shortfall of trained technicians.

To tackle this critical issue affecting RV owner satisfaction, the RV Industry Association Board of Directors approved a comprehensive strategic plan and multi-million-dollar investment creating the RV Technical Institute (RVTI). The program is tasked with reducing Repair Event Cycle Times (RECT) for consumers seeking to maintain their RVs by increasing the number of high-quality trained RV technicians.

The RECT metric can be impacted by various factors including availability and timely delivery of parts, as well as through technician training. To focus on this aspect of RECT, the institute has developed a world-class training curriculum that will be standardized nationally to develop a cadre of technicians who can diagnose and repair RVs and ultimately improve the RV consumer experience. Training will be delivered at an Elkhart campus and through accredited regional partner schools.